Zingerone Administered Neonatally Prevents the Subsequent Development of High Dietary Fructose-Induced Fatty Liver in Sprague Dawley Rats

Nasiru Muhammad,Busisani Wiseman Lembede,Kennedy Honey Erlwanger 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Journal of medicinal food Vol.24 No.9

Consumption of high-fructose diets early in life increases the risk of developing metabolic disorders, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Zingerone, an alkaloid isolated from Zingiber officinale, has been demonstrated to reverse obesity and fatty liver in adult male rats. We investigated the potential preventive effects of neonatally administered zingerone on the development of fructose-induced NAFLD in male and female rats. Four-day-old male (n = 35) and female (n = 44) rat pups were randomized and gavaged with: 10 mL/kg body weight (bwt) of distilled water (C), 10 mL/kg bwt of 20% fructose solution (Fr), 10 mL/kg bwt of 20% fructose solution +40 mg/kg bwt of zingerone (ZFr), and 40 mg/kg bwt of zingerone (Z) daily for 14 days. After weaning, all groups continued on unlimited standard rat feed; however, groups C and Z had plain drinking water, whereas groups Fr and ZFr had unlimited 20% fructose solution to drink for 10 weeks. Rats on the high-fructose diet (Fr) compared with the negative controls (C) had significantly increased hepatic lipid content (in %, males: P = .0002; females: P < .0001, analysis of variance [ANOVA]) and hepatic steatosis score (in %, males: P = .0018; females: P < .0022, Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA). Zingerone prevented (P < .05) the fructose-induced increase in hepatic steatosis in both sexes. The plasma alanine aminotransferase activity, levels of uric acid, TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), IL-6 (interleukin-6), and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor alpha) were not different (P > .05, ANOVA) across the different treatment groups in both sexes. No difference (P > .05, ANOVA) was observed between the two sexes for treatment, sex and interaction effects with regard to hepatic lipid content, and measured blood parameters. The use of zingerone neonatally should be further investigated as a strategic prophylactic intervention for the prevention of long-term high-fructose diet-induced NAFLD.

Lifetime and reliability improvements in modular multilevel converters using controlled circulating current

Kadandani, Nasiru B.,Dahidah, Mohamed,Ethni, Salaheddine,Muhammad, Musbahu The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2021 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.21 No.10

Circulating current has been an inherent feature of modular multilevel converters (MMC), which results in second-order harmonics on the arms currents. If not properly controlled, the circulating current can affect the lifetime and reliability of a converter by increasing the current loading, loss distribution, and junction temperature of its semiconductor devices. This paper proposes controlled circulating current injection as a means of improving the lifetime and reliability of an MMC. The proposed method involves modifying the reference modulating signals of the converter arms to include the controlled differential voltage as an offset. The junction temperature of the semiconductor devices obtained from an electro-thermal simulation is processed to deduce the lifetime and reliability of the converter. The obtained results are benchmarked against a case where the control method is not incorporated. The incorporation of the proposed control method results in a 68.25% increase in the expected lifetime of the converter and a 3.06% increase on its reliability index. Experimental results of a scaled down laboratory prototype validate the effectiveness of the proposed control approach.

Recent progress in the preparation, characterization, and applications of modified halloysite nanotubes as adsorbents for wastewater treatment

Garba Zaharaddeen Nasiru,Haruna Abdurrashid,Tanimu Abdulkadir,Bello Binta Zakari,Zango Zakariyya Uba 한국화학공학회 2023 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.40 No.6

The application of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) in water purification is attracting extensive attention because they are inexpensive raw materials with a hollow nanotubular structure in the sub-micrometer range, a large specific surface area, pore volume, pore size, and adequate hydroxyl groups on their surface, thus enhancing their ability to be modified. These modified halloysite nanotubes (m-HNTs) have been widely used for a variety of applications, including chemocatalysis, biocatalysis, antibacterial action, drug delivery, gas separation, and adsorbents for wastewater treatment. They were reported to have been produced using a variety of synthetic processes which include self-assembly/vacuum filtering, extraction, solution casting, dehydration condensation, thermal polycondensation, chemical vapor deposition, and hydrothermal carbonization. In this review, we focus on the compilation of the most recent developments in the manufacture of m-HNTs, their characterization and possible uses in wastewater treatment. Finally, we present our personal views on the opportunities and challenges of future researches involving m-HNTs, hoping to inspire more researchers into participating in this fascinating area.

A GENERALIZATION OF THE EXPONENTIAL INTEGRAL AND SOME ASSOCIATED INEQUALITIES

Nantomah, Kwara,Merovci, Faton,Nasiru, Suleman The Honam Mathematical Society 2017 호남수학학술지 Vol.39 No.1

In this paper, a generalization of the exponential integral is given. As a consequence, several inequalities involving the generalized function are derived. Among other analytical techniques, the procedure utilizes the $H{\ddot{o}}lder^{\prime}s$ and Minkowskis inequalities for integrals.

A GENERALIZATION OF THE EXPONENTIAL INTEGRAL AND SOME ASSOCIATED INEQUALITIES

( Kwara Nantomah ),( Faton Merovci ),( Suleman Nasiru ) 호남수학회 2017 호남수학학술지 Vol.39 No.1

In this paper, a generalization of the exponential integral is given. As a consequence, several inequalities involving the generalized function are derived. Among other analytical techniques, the procedure utilizes the Holder`s and Minkowski`s inequalities for integrals.

Profile and Outcome of Management of Brain Tumours in Kaduna Northwestern Nigeria

Sale Danjuma,Happy Amos Dauda,Aghadi Ifeanyi Kene,Kache Stephen Akau,Ismail Nasiru Jinjiri 대한신경외과학회 2022 Journal of Korean neurosurgical society Vol.65 No.5

Objective : Tumours of the brain are a rare occurrence accounting for approximately 2% of all neoplasms in adults. Few studies have been done in Nigeria on the profile of brain tumours. The aim of this study is to determine the profile of brain tumours in general and determine the change in Kanofsky Performance Score (KPS) after treatment. Methods : This is a prospective hospital-based study in Kaduna. All consecutive patients over 18 years of age with diagnosis of brain tumours from January 2016 to December 2019 were included in the study. Demographic and clinical data was collected using a proforma during the study. Patients who received treatment were followed up for 12 months. The primary outcome data was the difference in the quality of life as measured by KPS at the point of first contact and at 1-month after treatment and at 12-month follow up. Data obtained was analysed with SPSS version 25.0 for Windows. Descriptive statistics was done to determine the profile. Paired t-test at 95% confidence interval was done to check for significant correlation between the mean KPS. Results : A total of 39 consecutive patients were included in the study. There was a slight male preponderance with a M : F of 1.17 : 1. Meningioma and metastasis were more common in females while gliomas and pituitary tumours were more common in males. The mean age of patients was 49.8 years and standard deviation of 11.8 years. Pituitary tumours were the most common tumours. The most common location of the tumour was frontal lobe followed by the pituitary gland. The mean duration of symptoms before neurosurgical consultation was 38 weeks. The most common presenting symptoms of patient with brain tumour was headache. The quality of life improve compare to the baseline in 81% of patient at discharge and at 1 year follow up. The overall mortality rate was 25.6%. Conclusion : The most common brain tumour in our study is pituitary tumour. Most patients present late. The most common presenting symptoms is headache. There is significant improvement in the KPS of patients following treatment. The overall mortality rate at 1-year post treatment is 25.6%.