Express-modification of cylinder test for assessing the behavioral parameters of young and old cbrb and BALB/CJ mice

Throughout my experience in tracking down and reading books on faith-based economics, in this case Islam, there are no books that specifically list the title of "Islamic economics". If there is, it is only initiated or introduced. Most books coming down to us still use the titles starting with the word, for example, system, concept, principle, or the doctrine of Islamic economics. Why do the authors of the book Islamic economics seem not dared to give his book title with label "science"? I presume that Islamic economics has not been considered as a science. In building a science, methodology is required. Islamic Economics also requires a well-established methodology to build the foundation of science. The study answers questions; how is methodology which is offered by Muhammad Akram Khan to build Islamic economics. The method used in this research is the study of literature with qualitative approach.The result of study concludes that Khan offers methodology of Islamic economics, if summarized, written as follows: First, Islamic economics uses a framework derived from the texts of divinity (revelation). Second, Islamic economics uses the inductive method, which gives witness to the truth or falsity assumptions and predictions about the two criteria of rationality and empirical evidence. Third, Islamic economy is built on ethical values such as justice, virtue, moderation, sacrifice, caring for others, in the analysis, as behavioral parameters. Fourth, Islamic economics is a normative discipline. Islamic Economics investigates ways and means to change the existing economy with Islamic economy. Fifth, Islamic economics ask different questions with conventional economics. Its attention is on welfare (falah) human and creating social and institutional conditions that maximize falah in society. Clearly, Islamic economics strongly supports research programs that help maximize falah. Furthermore, Khan elaborates several issues related to the methodology that often appears in the forum of Islamic economists. There are some problems that Khan proposes, they are the interaction with modern economics, the role of revelation, assuming ideal Islamic society, and the general theory of Islamic economics.

Download Full-text

Ascorbic acid improves extrapyramidal syndromes and corpus striatal degeneration induced by dopamine-2 receptor inhibition in Wistar rats

Drug Metabolism and Personalized Therapy ◽

10.1515/dmdi-2020-0137 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Sirajo U. Mujittapha ◽

Murtala Kauthar ◽

Ishola O. Azeez ◽

John C. Oyem

Keyword(s):

Ascorbic Acid ◽

Normal Saline ◽

Wistar Rats ◽

Corpus Striatum ◽

Extrapyramidal Symptoms ◽

Motor Deficit ◽

Cylinder Test ◽

Extrapyramidal Syndromes ◽

Dopamine 2 Receptor ◽

Inhibition Group

AbstractObjectivesThe prolonged uses of fourth-generation antipsychotics have been implicated in inducing extrapyramidal syndromes characterized by the motor deficit. This was attributed to the loss of dopamine-2 receptor (D2R) signaling. However, ascorbic acid (SVCT2R stimulation) in the brain is proposed to modulate D2R activity. We, therefore, investigated the beneficial roles of ascorbic acid in improving the extrapyramidal symptoms seen in D2R loss.MethodsTwenty adult male Wistar rats of average weight 200 g were distributed randomly into four groups. The control (NS) received normal saline for 28 days, Untreated D2R inhibition group (−D2R) received normal saline for seven days and then subsequently received chlorpromazine for 21 days, D2R inhibition group treated with ascorbic acid (−D2R+SVCT2R) received chlorpromazine for 21 days and was subsequently treated with ascorbate for seven days while the withdrawal group (WG) received chlorpromazine for 21 days and subsequently received normal saline for seven days. Motor deficits were assessed using a rotarod and cylinder test. The corpus striatum was harvested, processed, and stained using H&E and Nissl stains. Cellular density was analyzed using Image J software 1.8.0.ResultsMotor deficit was observed in −D2R animals administered chlorpromazine with less improvement in WG compared to control (p<0.05) in both rotarod and cylinder test. Ascorbic acid (SVCT2R stimulation) significantly (p<0.001) improved the latency of fall and climbing attempts observed in −D2R animals. The density of basophilic trigoid bodies was significantly (p<0.001) restored in −D2R+SVCT2R group, suggesting recovery of neural activity in the corpus striatum. Moreover, the hallmarks of neuronal degeneration were less expressed in the ascorbic acid treatment groups.ConclusionsAscorbic acid putatively ameliorates extrapyramidal symptoms observed in D2R blockage by chlorpromazine in Wistar rats.

Download Full-text

Identifying Fall Risk Predictors by Monitoring Daily Activities at Home Using a Depth Sensor Coupled to Machine Learning Algorithms

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21061957 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (6) ◽

pp. 1957

Author(s):

Amandine Dubois ◽

Titus Bihl ◽

Jean-Pierre Bresciani

Keyword(s):

Machine Learning ◽

Fall Prevention ◽

Fall Risk ◽

Learning Algorithms ◽

Step Length ◽

Machine Learning Algorithms ◽

Daily Activities ◽

Sitting Time ◽

Behavioral Parameters ◽

At Home

Because of population ageing, fall prevention represents a human, economic, and social issue. Currently, fall-risk is assessed infrequently, and usually only after the first fall occurrence. Home monitoring could improve fall prevention. Our aim was to monitor daily activities at home in order to identify the behavioral parameters that best discriminate high fall risk from low fall risk individuals. Microsoft Kinect sensors were placed in the room of 30 patients temporarily residing in a rehabilitation center. The sensors captured the patients’ movements while they were going about their daily activities. Different behavioral parameters, such as speed to sit down, gait speed or total sitting time were extracted and analyzed combining statistical and machine learning algorithms. Our algorithms classified the patients according to their estimated fall risk. The automatic fall risk assessment performed by the algorithms was then benchmarked against fall risk assessments performed by clinicians using the Tinetti test and the Timed Up and Go test. Step length, sit-stand transition and total sitting time were the most discriminant parameters to classify patients according to their fall risk. Coupling step length to the speed required to stand up or the total sitting time gave rise to an error-less classification of the patients, i.e., to the same classification as that of the clinicians. A monitoring system extracting step length and sit-stand transitions at home could complement the clinicians’ assessment toolkit and improve fall prevention.

Download Full-text

A standardized polyherbal preparation POL-6 diminishes alcohol withdrawal anxiety by regulating Gabra1, Gabra2, Gabra3, Gabra4, Gabra5 gene expression of GABAA receptor signaling pathway in rats

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies ◽

10.1186/s12906-020-03181-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lalit Sharma ◽

Aditi Sharma ◽

Ashutosh Kumar Dash ◽

Gopal Singh Bisht ◽

Girdhari Lal Gupta

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Alcohol Withdrawal ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Centella Asiatica ◽

Ethanol Withdrawal ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Ocimum Sanctum ◽

Behavioral Parameters ◽

Gene Expression Studies

Abstract Background Alcohol abuse is a major problem worldwide and it affects people’s health and economy. There is a relapse in alcohol intake due to alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal anxiety-like behavior is a symptom that appears 6–24 h after the last alcohol ingestion. Methods The present study was designed to explore the protective effect of a standardized polyherbal preparation POL-6 in ethanol withdrawal anxiety in Wistar rats. POL-6 was prepared by mixing the dried extracts of six plants Bacopa monnieri, Hypericum perforatum, Centella asiatica, Withania somnifera, Camellia sinesis, and Ocimum sanctum in the proportion 2:1:2:2:1:2 respectively. POL-6 was subjected to phytochemical profiling through LC-MS, HPLC, and HPTLC. The effect of POL-6 on alcohol withdrawal anxiety was tested using a two-bottle choice drinking paradigm model giving animals’ free choice between alcohol and water for 15 days. Alcohol was withdrawn on the 16th day and POL-6 (20, 50, and 100 mg/kg, oral), diazepam (2 mg/kg) treatment was given on the withdrawal days. Behavioral parameters were tested using EPM and LDT. On the 18th day blood was collected from the retro-orbital sinus of the rats and alcohol markers ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT were studied. At end of the study, animals were sacrificed and the brain was isolated for exploring the influences of POL-6 on the mRNA expression of GABAA receptor subunits in the amygdala and hippocampus. Results Phytochemical profiling showed that POL-6 contains major phytoconstituents like withaferin A, quercetin, catechin, rutin, caeffic acid, and β-sitosterol. In-vivo studies showed that POL-6 possesses an antianxiety effect in alcohol withdrawal. Gene expression studies on the isolated brain tissues showed that POL-6 normalizes the GABAergic transmission in the amygdala and hippocampus of the rats. Conclusion The study concludes that POL-6 may have therapeutic potential for treating ethanol-type dependence.

Download Full-text

Mobility dynamics of migrant workers and their socio-behavioral parameters related to malaria in Tier II, Artemisinin Resistance Containment Zone, Myanmar

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-015-2241-0 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Thaung Hlaing ◽

Khin Thet Wai ◽

Tin Oo ◽

Nyan Sint ◽

Tun Min ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Migrant Workers ◽

Artemisinin Resistance ◽

Tier Ii ◽

Behavioral Parameters

Download Full-text

Interaction of clozapine with metformin in a schizophrenia rat model

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-96478-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

G. Horvath ◽

G. Kis ◽

G. Kekesi ◽

A. Büki ◽

L. G. Adlan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Negative Symptoms ◽

Antipsychotic Drugs ◽

D1 Receptor ◽

Antidiabetic Drug ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Adjuvant Therapies ◽

Behavioral Parameters ◽

The Brain

AbstractThe low efficacy of antipsychotic drugs (e.g., clozapine) for negative symptoms and cognitive impairment has led to the introduction of adjuvant therapies. Because previous data suggest the procognitive potential of the antidiabetic drug metformin, this study aimed to assess the effects of chronic clozapine and metformin oral administration (alone and in combination) on locomotor and exploratory activities and cognitive function in a reward-based test in control and a schizophrenia-like animal model (Wisket rats). As impaired dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) function might play a role in the cognitive dysfunctions observed in patients with schizophrenia, the second goal of this study was to determine the brain-region-specific D1R-mediated signaling, ligand binding, and mRNA expression. None of the treatments affected the behavior of the control animals significantly; however, the combination treatment enhanced D1R binding and activation in the cerebral cortex. The Wisket rats exhibited impaired motivation, attention, and cognitive function, as well as a lower level of cortical D1R binding, signaling, and gene expression. Clozapine caused further deterioration of the behavioral parameters, without a significant effect on the D1R system. Metformin blunted the clozapine-induced impairments, and, similarly to that observed in the control animals, increased the functional activity of D1R. This study highlights the beneficial effects of metformin (at the behavioral and cellular levels) in blunting clozapine-induced adverse effects.

Download Full-text

Potential Energy Implications of Connected and Automated Vehicles: Exploring Key Leverage Points through Scenario Screening and Analysis

Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board ◽

10.1177/0361198119838840 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2673 (5) ◽

pp. 84-94 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Brian Bush ◽

Laura Vimmerstedt ◽

Jeff Gonder

Keyword(s):

Systems Engineering ◽

Large Scale ◽

Operating Cost ◽

Dynamics Model ◽

Transportation Service ◽

Service Outcomes ◽

Behavioral Parameters ◽

Computationally Intensive ◽

Different Levels ◽

Selection Of

Connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technologies could transform the transportation system over the coming decades, but face vehicle and systems engineering challenges, as well as technological, economic, demographic, and regulatory issues. The authors have developed a system dynamics model for generating, analyzing, and screening self-consistent CAV adoption scenarios. Results can support selection of scenarios for subsequent computationally intensive study using higher-resolution models. The potential for and barriers to large-scale adoption of CAVs have been analyzed using preliminary quantitative data and qualitative understandings of system relationships among stakeholders across the breadth of these issues. Although they are based on preliminary data, the results map possibilities for achieving different levels of CAV adoption and system-wide fuel use and demonstrate the interplay of behavioral parameters such as how consumers value their time versus financial parameters such as operating cost. By identifying the range of possibilities, estimating the associated energy and transportation service outcomes, and facilitating screening of scenarios for more detailed analysis, this work could inform transportation planners, researchers, and regulators.

Download Full-text