Higher College of Technology

About: Higher College of Technology is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Higher education & Tourism. The organization has 369 authors who have published 379 publications receiving 729 citations.

Response surface analysis and optimization of inulin extraction from garlic

Abstract: Inulin is a polysaccharide rich in good dietary fiber. Due to its increasing demand in the nutrition and pharmaceutical applications, industries are now looking out for alternative sources of inulin. This study focuses on extraction of inulin from garlic by solvent phase extraction method using water as solvent. The extraction parameters were optimized with temperature (60–90 °C), time (2–4 h), and material ratio (2–4 mL/g). The experiment was investigated by response surface methodology using central composite design. The results were statistically analyzed and graphically visualized. The quadratic model fitted well. The optimal conditions of factors, at 77.35 °C with 3.5 h of extraction time and material ratio of 5 mL/g resulted in maximum yield of 44.73 g/L. Temperature and material ratio showed more influence over the response yield. This study demonstrates the effective method of extraction of inulin from garlic.

Preparation, characterization, pharmacokinetics, and antirenal injury activity studies of Licochalcone A-loaded liposomes

Abstract: A liposome of Licochalcone A (LCA-Liposomes) was purposively prepared to ameliorate the low in vivo availability and efficacy of LCA. Physical characterization of LCA-Liposomes was carried out mainly by determining particle size, morphology, zeta potential (Z-potential), and efficiency of LCA encapsulation (EE) via appropriate techniques. Also, the rate of LCA release in vitro and distribution in vivo (plasma and tissues) was evaluated. Evaluation of the antirenal activity of LCA-liposomes was carried out by establishing chronic renal failure (CRF) model in mice through intragastric administration of adenine (200 mg/kg) and subsequent determination of biochemical parameters and examination of tissue sections. Respectively, the mean size of liposomal particles, Z-potential and EE of LCA-Liposomes were 71.78 ± 0.99 nm, -38.49 ± 0.06 mV, and 97.67 ± 1.72%. Pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies showed that LCA-Liposomes could improve the availability of LCA in the blood and tissues, whereas during pharmacodynamics studies, the liposome effectively improved the therapeutic effect of LCA on CRF mice by potentially protecting the renal tissues while exhibiting antioxidant activity. In conclusion, LCA-Liposomes could effectively improve the bioavailability of LCA and provide platform for the development of LCA-related functional products. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: As a traditional Chinese medicine, licorice is widely used in food and pharmaceutical industries. LCA is a small molecule flavonoid extracted from the root of licorice. In this study, LCA was loaded on liposome carriers, which significantly improved the water solubility and oral bioavailability, and proved that LCA-Liposomes have certain therapeutic effects on chronic renal failure, thereby providing a basis for the development of LCA into drugs or functional food in the future.

Field validation of senesced banana leaf extracts for trapping banana weevils on smallholder banana/plantain farms

Abstract: Palm wine alcohol extract of senesced banana leaf material, Musa spp., was tested for its efficacy in open field trapping of the banana weevil, Cosmopolites sordidus in Ghana from June to August 2015. Modified pitfall and bottle traps were baited with either individual treatments, that is palm alcohol extract, C. sordidus aggregation pheromone or pseudostem or with combinations of extract plus aggregation pheromone or extract plus pseudostem. The combination of extract plus aggregation pheromone was able to lure more weevils into traps compared with the respective individual lures. There was a 2.1‐fold increase in mean catch per week when the palm alcohol extract was used in combination with pheromone compared with using pheromone alone, and a corresponding 2.6‐fold increase when the extract was used with pseudostem in traps. There was no statistically significant interaction between the palm alcohol extract (presence or absence) and treatment (pheromone or pseudostem), but the best combination for maximal catches of adult banana weevils was a combination of palm alcohol extract with aggregation pheromone. Management of banana weevils with attractive banana leaf extract has important practical applications in parts of the world where other management options are too expensive or commercial treatments are in short supply, but where leaf material is cheap and readily available for local use by smallholder farmers.

Communicators-Oriented Functions of Strategies

Abstract: This chapter investigates the functions of CSs to deal with obstacles constructed by the communicators’ self and others in L2 oral communication. Thematic analysis of qualitative data shows that participants employ CSs to ‘reposition’ themselves, far from their problematic performance in front of the other, to boost their role as an expert in L2 interaction and to redefine it as language users interacting in unfair conditions, in order to save face. CSs usage was also mediated by the interlocutor’s gender, level of proficiency, familiarity and social status in L2 interaction. Participants employ CSs in order to share their own and their interlocutors’ resources to meet the communicative goals. The study concludes that CSs usage is a socially constructed process by which participants bring their own history to co-construct their L2 performance. Language learners, thus, should be considered as L2 speakers in their own right, rather than failed native speakers.

The Pivotal Immunomodulatory and Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase in the Glioma Microenvironment: Its Biomarker and Therapy Potentials.

Abstract: Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a histone-lysine N-methyltransferase that encrypts a member of the Polycomb group (PcG) family. EZH2 forms a repressive chromatin structure which eventually participates in regulating the development as well as lineage propagation of stem cells and glioma progression. Posttranslational modifications are distinct approaches for the adjusted modification of EZH2 in the development of cancer. The amino acid succession of EZH2 protein makes it appropriate for covalent modifications, like phosphorylation, acetylation, O-GlcNAcylation, methylation, ubiquitination, and sumoylation. The glioma microenvironment is a dynamic component that comprises, besides glioma cells and glioma stem cells, a complex network that comprises diverse cell types like endothelial cells, astrocytes, and microglia as well as stromal components, soluble factors, and the extracellular membrane. EZH2 is well recognized as an essential modulator of cell invasion as well as metastasis in glioma. EZH2 oversecretion was implicated in the malfunction of several fundamental signaling pathways like Wnt/β-catenin signaling, Ras and NF-κB signaling, PI3K/AKT signaling, β-adrenergic receptor signaling, and bone morphogenetic protein as well as NOTCH signaling pathways. EZH2 was more secreted in glioblastoma multiforme than in low-grade gliomas as well as extremely secreted in U251 and U87 human glioma cells. Thus, the blockade of EZH2 expression in glioma could be of therapeutic value for patients with glioma. The suppression of EZH2 gene secretion was capable of reversing temozolomide resistance in patients with glioma. EZH2 is a promising therapeutic as well as prognostic biomarker for the treatment of glioma.