Featured Issue: Revista Científica UDO Agrícola Vol.11 No.1

Sweet sorghum is a type of sorghum plant containing a high amount of sugar. Sweet sorghum is the focus of an article in Revista Científica UDO Agrícola vol.11 no.1, titled "Biomass production and sugar concentration in two sweet sorghum varieties in the Huasteca Tamaulipeca region" by Gutiérrez et al. In this article, two varieties of sweet sorghum - M81E and Fortuna - were planted in Tamaulipas, Mexico to determine if they were suitable for ethanol production. Biomass and sugar concentration were the two variables measured in the study. For more details and other articles from this issue, go to: http://www.bioline.org.br/titles?id=cg&year=2011&vol=11&num=01&keys=v11n1

Featured Issues: Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.19 No.4, Vol.20 No.1 & 2

Here are some updates from the latest issues of Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences:

In vol.19 no.4, "Nutrition Quality of Life among Female- Majority Malay Undergraduate Students of Health Sciences", Lin et al. found that female undergraduate students of Health Sciences scored better in "Self-Efficacy", which means they are more confident than males in the food choices they make. A number of other demographic factors played roles in the health of respondents.
For the results of this study and other articles from this issue, go to: http://www.bioline.org.br/titles?id=mj&year=2012&vol=19&num=04&keys=V19N4

In vol.20 no.1, "Breast Cancer and Chemotherapy Knowledge among Undergraduates of Health Sciences: Which Traits Predict Good Knowledge?" by Lin & Zakaria studies undergraduate students in Health Sciences to assess their knowledge of breast cancer and chemotherapy. Results showed that nursing students and students in their final year of study were among the group of students that were significantly more knowledgeable.
For more details of this study and other articles from this issue, go to: http://www.bioline.org.br/titles?id=mj&year=2013&vol=20&num=01&keys=V20N1

Vol.20 no.2 includes the article, "Pulmonary Function Studies of Healthy Non-smoking Male University Students of Kolkata, India — Revisited" by Bandyopadhyay et al. This article also surveys undergraduate students - this time from Kolkata, India. 87 healthy male students had their pulmonary functions assessed, and it was concluded that their pulmonary function remained relatively unchanged for the past 24 years.
For the complete study and other articles from this issue, go to: http://www.bioline.org.br/titles?id=mj&year=2013&vol=20&num=02&keys=V20N2

Did you know...

Did you know that Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in the elderly? B12 deficiency can affect the blood, neurological, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular systems, as well as skin and mucous membranes. To read about interventions that can help treat these effects, check out the article, "Vitamin B12 deficit and development of geriatric syndromes" by Chaparro & Mauricio in vol.44 no.1 of Revista Colombia Médica.

Featured Issue: African Journal of Biomedical Research Vol.15 No.1 & 2

Today we are featuring vol.15 issues 1 & 2 from the African Journal of Biomedical Research. Here are some interesting studies from these issues:

Some of the most commonly used pesticides in world use cholinesterase inhibitor organophospates, which act on enzymes used in the nervous system. An article in the first issue of vol.15, "Suppression of Thyroid Hormone Receptor-Mediated Transcription by Methamidophos" by Ibhazehiebo & Koibuchi talks about Methamidophos, a cholinesterase inhibitor organophospate. Through pesticides, Methamidophos can suppress genes related to the thyroid hormone receptor, whose activities are essential for metabolism and development. The results of the study indicated that methamidophos suppresses gene transcription which may ultimately interfere with metabolic activity and organs which require thyroid hormone.
For the complete article and other articles from this issue, go to: http://www.bioline.org.br/titles?id=md&year=2012&vol=15&num=01&keys=V15N1

In the second issue of vol.15, the effects of noise level on health is studied in "Urban Environmental Noise Pollution and Perceived Health Effects in Ibadan, Nigeria" by Oloruntoba et al. Residents of Ibadan, Nigeria were surveyed to find out their perceived health effects of noise pollution and the sources of the noise. Noise level meters were used to assess noise level, and the results showed that population density of each area in Ibadan affected noise levels. For more details of this study and other articles from this issue, go to: http://www.bioline.org.br/titles?id=md&year=2012&vol=15&num=02&keys=V15N2

Did you know...

Did you know Carica papaya extract can be used to heal dermal wounds, and that adding the chemical element Selenium can speed up the healing effects of the extract? Check out the article "Addition of Selenium to Carica papaya Linn Pulp Extract Enhances Dermal Wound Healing Activity" by Abdulrazaq et al. in vol.12 no.1 of the Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research for details of this study.
Fun fact: This is the second time we are featuring an article on the Carica papaya species! The first time Carica papaya was mentioned on the blog was in a featured issue of Biokemistri. You can find this post here: http://bioline-news.blogspot.ca/2013/02/featured-issue-biokemistri-vol-24-no-1.html

Featured Issues: Iranian Journal of Pediatrics Vol. 22

Today we will be featuring issues from vol.22 of the Iranian Journal of Pediatrics. Here are some of the highlights from each issue:

Martial Arts have been known as a means to learn self-defense, expand inner spirituality and adjust behaviour. In vol.22 no.1, Ziaee et al. compare two different types of Japanese martial arts, Karate and Judo, and their influences on adolescent behaviour in "Anger in Adolescent Boy Athletes: a Comparison among Judo, Karate, Swimming and Non Athletes". The anger rate of each participant was assessed using the "Adolescent Anger Rating Scale" questionnaire. Results found that karateka (the adolescents practicing Karate) and swimmers had a significantly lower anger rate than judoka (the adolescents practicing Judo) and non-athletes. Based on these results, anger control may not be influenced by Judo but may be influenced in a positive way by Karate.
For more information and other articles from vol.22 no.1, go to: http://www.bioline.org.br/titles?id=pe&year=2012&vol=22&num=01&keys=V22N1

Valizadeh et al. look at the need for nursing support for parents with prematurely born infants placed in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) in "Importance and Availability of Nursing Support for Mothers in NICU: A Comparison of Opinions of Iranian Mothers and Nurses" from issue 2 . For the study, both mothers and nurses participated in a questionnaire. The results of the questionnaire showed a difference in opinion of mothers and nurses.
For more information on this study and others from this issue, go to: http://www.bioline.org.br/titles?id=pe&year=2012&vol=22&num=02&keys=V22N2

In issue 3, "Relationship between Blood Pressure and Passive Smoking in Elementary School Children" has Seyedzadeh et al. exploring the correlation between exposure to cigarette smoke and blood pressure in elementary school students. Parents of 80 elementary school children exposed to cigarette smoke and 80 elementary students not exposed to cigarette smoke were asked questions on their smoking status and health. The children then underwent physical examinations. The results showed that elementary school children exposed to cigarette smoke had higher rates of systolic and diastolic blood pressure than elementary school children not exposed to cigarette smoke.
For the complete article and others from no.3, go to: http://www.bioline.org.br/titles?id=pe&keys=V22N3&num=03&vol=22&year=2012&sortby=toc

Issue 4 features an article, "Insulin and Leptin Levels in Appropriate-for-Gestational-Age Infants of Diabetic Mother" by Vela-Huerta et al., which looks at whether gestational diabetes in mothers plays a significant role in changing hormone levels for the development of insulin resistance in infants. The results of the study showed that infants of mothers with diabetes had higher insulin levels than infants of mothers without diabetes. For the details of this study and other articles from no.4, go to: http://www.bioline.org.br/titles?id=pe&year=2012&vol=22&num=04&keys=V22N4

Did you know...

Did you know glucocorticoids, molecules that serve a variety of functions in the body, can influence reward-based reinforcement and memory processing? In vol. 34 no. 1 of Zoological Research, an article, "Blockage of glucocorticoid receptors during memory acquisition, retrieval and reconsolidation prevents the expression of morphineinduced conditioned place preferences in mice" by Fan et al. discusses how the blockage of glucocorticoid receptors during memory functions prevents reward-based reinforcement in mice. In this study, mice were treated with a glucocorticoid antagonist (which blocks the glucocorticoid receptor) and were found to have impaired reward-based memory and sensitization behavior.
For this article and others from this issue, go to: http://www.bioline.org.br/titles?id=zr&year=2013&vol=34&num=01&keys=V34N1

Featured New Issue: African Journal of Reproductive Health Vol.17 No.1

Vol. 17 no. 1 of the African Journal of Reproductive Health contains an article by Wasiu O. Adebimpe titled, "Challenges Facing Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV among Infants in Resource Poor Settings". This article discusses the need for sustainable HIV programs, as the number of children with HIV continues to grow. The article also discusses the decrease in mortality rates of infants whose HIV is diagnosed and managed as early as possible.
For this article and others from this issue, go to: http://www.bioline.org.br/titles?id=rh&year=2013&vol=17&num=01&keys=V17N1

Did you know...

Did you know that fruit flies are not just domestic pests, but can also severely damage crops as well? The species of invasive fruit fly, Bacteria invadens, was first detected in Africa in 2003 in Kenya. One article by José et al. titled "Assessment of Invasive Fruit Fly Fruit Infestation and Damage in Cabo Delgado Province, Northern Mozambique" studies the effects of B.invadens on crops and the extent of their damage, as well as the infestation levels in different fruits in Mozambique.
You can find this article and others from this issue here: http://www.bioline.org.br/titles?id=cs&year=2013&vol=21&num=01&keys=V21N1

Featured Issue: African Journal of Biomedical Research Vol.14 No.1, 2 & 3

Did you know that there are an estimated 2 million deaths a year caused by Tuberculosis? In vol.14 no.1 of the African Journal of Biomedical Research, one article "In-Vitro Susceptibility of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis to Extracts of Uvaria Afzelli Scott Elliot and Tetracera Alnifolia Willd" by Lawal et al. discusses the need for new anti-tuberculosis drugs, due to the increase of resistance of MDR- and XDR- TB strains. As a result, in this article, extracts of Uvaria afzelli root bark and Tetracera alnifolia leaves and root bark were studied to determine if they could be used to treat Tuberculosis.
For the results of this study and other articles from this issue, go to: http://www.bioline.org.br/titles?id=md&year=2011&vol=14&num=01&keys=V14N1

Vol.14 no. 2 includes an article, "Awareness of Contraceptive Methods amongst Married Male Population of Ekpoma, Nigeria" by Akpamu et. al in which 640 married men in Ekpoma, Nigeria were surveyed to assess their knowledge of contraceptive methods. The results showed that overall, awareness of contraceptive methods was high, and that the next steps to take would be to educate the population on the impact and responsibility of parenthood.
For this article and others from this issue, go to: http://www.bioline.org.br/titles?id=md&year=2011&vol=14&num=02&keys=V14N2

A follow up to that article can be found in no.3, titled "Contraceptive Choice amongst Married Men in Ekpoma, Nigeria" by Iribhogbe et al. This study also surveys 640 married men in Ekpoma, Nigeria, but the objective this time around is to find out their most preferred method of contraception. The results showed that female contraception was the method that the men most preferred, but that male contraception was the method most used.
For more details on this study and other articles from this issue, go to: http://www.bioline.org.br/titles?id=md&year=2011&vol=14&num=03&keys=V14N3

Featured Issues: African Health Science Vol. 12 No. 3 & 4

This is the first time we are featuring the African Health Science journal on our blog! Here are some highlights from issues 3 & 4 of vol.12:

In issue 3, one article by Emdin & Millson, "A systematic review evaluating the impact of task shifting on access to antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan Africa", reviews articles discussing the effects of shifting antiretroviral therapy initiation and management from physicians to nurses, in hopes that this shift will increase access to HIV treatment. Fun fact: The two authors of this article are from U of T!
For this article and others from this issue, go to: http://www.bioline.org.br/titles?id=hs&year=2012&vol=12&num=03&keys=v12n3

An article titled "Perceived body image and weight: discrepancies and gender differences among University undergraduates" written by Maruf et al. can be found in issue 4. The articles discuss body image (BI) based on factors such as perception, attitude, behaviour and feedback from others. Based off feedback and the degree of acceptance of the feedback, self-evaluation and perception can be influenced.
For the results of this study and other articles from this issue, go to: http://www.bioline.org.br/titles?id=hs&year=2012&vol=12&num=04&keys=v12n4

Did you know...

Did you know that Hippophae rhamnoides, a deciduous shrub commonly known as sea-buckthorn, has been found to improve the elasticity of aging skin? Improvement was seen after 7 weeks of treatment!
If you would like more information, read "Anti-aging effects on Hippophae rhamnoides emulsion on human skin" by Khan et al. found in vol.11 no.6 of the Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research.
You can also find other articles from this issue here: http://www.bioline.org.br/titles?id=pr&year=2012&vol=11&num=06&keys=v11n6

Featured Issues: African Journal of Biomedical Research Vol. 13 No. 1, 2, & 3

Here are some highlights from volume 13 of the African Journal of Biomedical Research:

Whereas the current tradition to treat Diabetes mellitus (or Diabetes) is for patients to take insulin, traditional healers have used the herb extract Rothmannia Hispida instead to relieve its symptoms!
Read more about it in "Comparative Effects of Rothmannia Hispida Leaves Extract and Protamine-Zinc Insulin on Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats" in issue 1.
You can find other articles from this issue here: http://www.bioline.org.br/titles?id=md&year=2010&vol=13&num=01&keys=V13N1

In vol.13 no.2, a study was conducted to answer this question: would estrogen and sodium chloride affect fasting blood sugar and weight gain in female diabetic rats? In this article, "Effect of Estrogen and Sodium Chloride on Fasting Blood Sugar and Weight-Gain in Female Diabetic Rats", the diabetic rats were injected with both estrogen and sodium chloride, which resulted in a significant reduction in their FBS level. Also, estrogen seemed to slow down weight gain, whereas sodium chloride seemed to increase weight gain. The authors indicated that as a result, estrogen and sodium chloride both enhance glucose utilization.
You can find this article and others from this issue here: http://www.bioline.org.br/titles?id=md&year=2010&vol=13&num=02&keys=V13N2

Vol. 13 no.3 includes an article, "Pattern of Prescriptions among Elderly Diabetic-Hypertensive Patients in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital", which studies diabetic-hypertensive elderly patients, their age, sex, the effect of the number of prescribed drugs they take, and the effect of any inappropriately prescribed drugs they may take. The results showed that there was no significant correlation between age, sex, and the number of prescribed drugs taken.
For more information on this study and other articles from this issue, go to: http://www.bioline.org.br/titles?id=md&year=2010&vol=13&num=03&keys=V13N3