223 research outputs found
SOCIO-DRAMATIC TRANSITION OF LANGUAGE USE IN THE PLAYS OF OLA ROTIMI
No full textAbstractLiterary language in African writing makes for interesting study because of the linguistic nuances and flavour of the indigenous African language of its author that finds creative expression in English. How language is used in dramatic communication is a subject of serious intellectual debate. This study, through the textual analysis of some play-texts, which are constructed on the didactic and eclectic nature of theatre and the society, is a reflection on the socio-dramatic transition of language use in the plays of Ola Rotimi. The discussion will identify, conceptualise and re-think some major forms, styles and patterns of language use in the plays of Ola Rotimi. Given the theatrical, dramatic, literary dividends and effectiveness of Rotimi’s works, this study concludes by calling on budding playwrights and dramatists in Africa to emulate/imitate/learn from re-thought language forms, styles and “linguistic possibilities” in the plays of Ola Rotimi as they experiment with language use in the African theatre.Keywords: African theatre, language use, Ola Rotimi, play directing, socio-dramatic, transitio
Socio-dramatic transition of language use in the plays of Ola Rotimi
No full textLiterary language in African writing makes for interesting study because of the linguistic nuances and flavour of the indigenous African language of its author that finds creative expression in English. How language is used in dramatic communication is a subject of serious intellectual debate. This study, through the textual analysis of some play-texts, which are constructed on the didactic and eclectic nature of theatre and the society, is a reflection on the socio-dramatic transition of language use in the plays of Ola Rotimi. The discussion will identify, conceptualise and re-think some major forms, styles and patterns of language use in the plays of Ola Rotimi. Given the theatrical, dramatic, literary dividends and effectiveness of Rotimi’s works, this study concludes by calling on budding playwrights and dramatists in Africa to emulate/imitate/learn from re-thought language forms, styles and “linguistic possibilities” in the plays of Ola Rotimi as they experiment with language use in the African theatre.Keywords: African theatre, language use, Ola Rotimi, play directing, socio-dramatic, transitio
AESTHETIC DIMENSIONS OF OLA ROTIMI’S THEATRE
No full textThe study examines Ola Rotimi’s Theatre from both the literary and theatrical perspectives. The study contends that Ola Rotimi created/developed simplicity of style both in his playwriting and in theatre practice. The study also notes that Rotimi has created the drama and theatre of lasting quality through his knowledge of the culture and tradition of his people and his copious deployment of Para-linguistic aesthetics in his plays. Rotimi anchores all these on his knowledge of world theatre in his practice, thus creating the phenomenon of total theatre. The study concludes that the laws of the theatre are provisional and subject to change, derived from creativity and not from theory
AESTHETIC DIMENSIONS OF OLA ROTIMI’S THEATRE
No full textThe study examines Ola Rotimi’s Theatre from both the literary and theatrical perspectives. The study contends that Ola Rotimi created/developed simplicity of style both in his playwriting and in theatre practice. The study also notes that Rotimi has created the drama and theatre of lasting quality through his knowledge of the culture and tradition of his people and his copious deployment of Para-linguistic aesthetics in his plays. Rotimi anchores all these on his knowledge of world theatre in his practice, thus creating the phenomenon of total theatre. The study concludes that the laws of the theatre are provisional and subject to change, derived from creativity and not from theory.KEYWORDS: Ola Rotimi, Aesthetic Dimensions, African Theatre, Playwriting, Para-linguistic aesthetics, Theatre Practic
La tragedia greca in Africa: l'Edipo re di Ola Rotimi
No full textLo studio esplora l'impatto della drammaturgia classica in Africa, attraverso un momento paradigmatico: The Gods are not to Blame (Gli dei non vanno maledetti, 1969) di Emmanuel Gladstone Rotimi, riscrittura dell'Edipo re sofocleo. Attraverso la reinterpretazione di un testo canonico della cultura occidentale, l'autore ha cercato di presentare, rappresentare, definire ed esplorare la storia e l'identità del proprio paese, la Nigeria, e della propria etnia, gli Yoruba. Il mito greco viene ridiscusso all'interno di una cornice dualistica, contemporaneamente postcoloniale e indigena, che ne permea gli stratagemmi, lo stile e i contenuti, fondendosi in una sintesi di protesta e imitazione, in una mescolanza di rivolta e conciliazione. D’altronde, la storia del rapporto tra l’Europa e l’Africa è tragicamente segnata da episodi di sofferenza, oppressione e razzismo. L’analisi condotta si dispiega attraversa una serrata comparazione, a tratti filologica, tra i due drammi, nel tentativo di evidenziarne e motivarne analogie e incongruenze. Il risultato di questa meticolosa ricognizione critica ci conduce verso un prodotto ibrido che non mistifica o neglige la sacralità classica, ma ne divelte le porte del tempio in modo tale che al suo interno si crei lo spazio per altre forme di esperienza e nuovi timbri di voce.The study explores the impact of classical dramaturgy in Africa, through a paradigmatic moment: The Gods are not to Blame (1969) by Emmanuel Gladstone Rotimi, a rewriting of Sophocles' Oedipus Rex. Through the reinterpretation of a canonical text of Western culture, the author sought to present, represent, define and explore the history and identity of his own country, Nigeria, and of his own ethnic group, the Yoruba. The Greek myth is rediscussed within a dualistic framework, simultaneously postcolonial and indigenous, which permeates its stratagems, style and contents, merging in a synthesis of protest and imitation, in a mixture of revolt and conciliation. On the other hand, the history of the relationship between Europe and Africa is tragically marked by episodes of suffering, oppression and racism. The analysis conducted unfolds through a close comparison, at times philological, between the two dramas, in an attempt to highlight and motivate analogies and inconsistencies. The result of this meticulous critical reconnaissance leads us towards a hybrid product that does not mystify or neglect classical sacredness, but demolishes the doors of the temple in such a way that space is created inside for other forms of experience and new timbres of voice
Inability of Legumes to Reverse Diabetic-Induced Nephropathy in Rats Despite Improvement in Blood Glucose and Antioxidant Status
No full textDiabetes mellitus has assumed epidemic proportions in most parts of the world, including developing countries, with vascular and renal complications being the major causes of death. Evidence is emerging that legumes play a beneficial role in diabetes and its associated complications. In connection with the above, four groups of alloxan-induced diabetic rats were fed on four different legume-based (Vigna unguiculata ssp. dekindtiana var. dekindtiana, V. unguiculata ssp. unguiculata, Sphenostylis stenocarpa, and Vigna subterranean) diets. Feeding rats with these diets for 5 weeks resulted in reduction of plasma glucose and changes in biomarkers of oxidative stress—namely, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (PER), and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). None of the legumes reversed the increase in plasma total protein associated with diabetes. The legumes increased PER activity and decreased the level of TBARS in the erythrocytes. A decrease in the activities of PER and SOD was observed in the kidneys of the diabetic rats. Nitric oxide (NO) production in the erythrocytes of the diabetic rats (as an index of diabetic endothelial dysfunction) increased for all the legumes in the following order: V. unguiculata ssp. unguiculata, V. unguiculata ssp. dekindtiana var. dekindtiana, V. subterranean, and S. stenocarpa. There was a significant increase (P < .05) in the uric acid concentration in the kidneys of treated rats. It is concluded that while the legumes have beneficial effects on reduction of hyperglycemia and strengthening the antioxidant status of the diabetic animals, the increased kidney uric acid concentration should be of concern
Acute aflatoxin B1− induced hepatotoxicity alters gene expression and disrupts lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in rats
No full textIn this study, alterations in lipid metabolism associated with acute aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) induced hepatotoxicity and gene expression changes underlying these effects were investigated. Rats were orally administered three doses (0.25 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg) of AFB1 for seven days; after which blood was collected and liver excised. Lipid profiles of plasma and liver were determined spectrophotometrically while the expression of genes associated with lipid and lipoprotein metabolism was assayed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Acute exposure to AFB1 increased the levels of plasma and liver cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids. AFB1 at 0.5 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg resulted in a dose-dependent (1.2 and 1.5 fold, respectively) downregulation of hepatic Cpt1a with a concomitant 1.2 and 1.5 fold increase in the level of plasma FFA, respectively. A similar observation of 1.2 and 1.3 fold increase was also observed in plasma triglyceride concentration, at both respective doses. AFB1 also decreased the relative expression of Ahr, Lipc and Lcat whereas, it upregulated Scarb1 in a dose dependent manner. AFB1-induced dysregulation of the expression of lipid and lipoprotein metabolizing genes may be one mechanism linking AFB1 to altered lipid metabolism and ultimately risk for coronary heart disease
Effects of Quercetin on L-Arginine-Induced Acute Pancreatitis in Rats
No full textThis study evaluated the effect of quercetin on oxidative stress in a rat model of L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis. Thirty male rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups thus: control, L-arginine group (2g/Kg body weight, i.p), and other groups were treated with 12.5mg/Kg body weight, 25mg/Kg body weight and 50mg/Kg body weight an hour after L-argnine administration. Twenty four hours thereafter, the rats were sacrificed and blood collected by cardiac puncture and organs were excised for the assay of plasma lipase and α-amylase activities as well as the activities of some antioxidant enzymes and levels of reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation and chloramine. Acute pancreatitis was assessed by a significantly (p<0.05) increase in the activities of plasma lipase and α-amylase 24hours after L-arginine administration. All the quercetin dosages significantly (p<0.05) reversed the activities of these enzymes. L-arginine administration resulted in significant (p<0.05) reduction in the activity of glutathione-s-transferase in the lungs, pancreas and spleen as well as in the level of erythrocyte reduced glutathione. Only rats treated with 50mg/kg quercetin had a significant (p<0.05) reversal. However, all the quercetin treated groups had significant (p<0.05) increase in the level of erythrocyte reduced glutathione. Superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities significantly (p<0.05) reduced while myeloperoxidase activity significantly (p<0.05) increased in the organs of rats as a result of L-arginine administration. These alterations were prevented by quercetin. These results show that quercetin protects the rat tissues from oxidative damage in L-arginine-induced pancreatitis
Coexistence of Aflatoxicosis with Protein Malnutrition Worsens Hepatic Oxidative Damage in Rats
No full textTo investigate the effects of the coexistence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and protein malnutrition in rat liver, weanling rats were fed either normal protein diet (20% protein), low-protein (PEM) diet (5%), normal protein diet + 40 ppb AFB1, or low-protein diet + 40 ppb AFB1. After 8 weeks, biomarkers of hepatic functions and oxidative stress, caspase-3 activity, and tumor suppressor protein 53 (p53) were determined spectrophotometrically. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) was employed to determine genomic alterations among the groups. Coexistence of aflatoxicosis and PEM significantly decreased glutathione, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase, while it increased peroxidase and catalase. RAPD-PCR showed genomic alterations that were associated with significant increases in p53 level and caspase-3 activity in rats fed PEM diet + AFB1. In conclusion, the coexistence of aflatoxicosis and protein malnutrition induced oxidative stress with concomitant genomic alterations in the liver of weanling rats
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