Pendekatan yang Dilakukan Komisi Pengawas Persaingan Usaha Menentukan Pelanggaran dalam Hukum Persaingan Usaha

The issue in this research is concerning with the approach used by KPPU (Commission for Business Competition) in determining the violation in business competition regulations. This aims to observe the approach is used by KPPU in determining the violation in business competition regulations. This research applies a normative-judicial method. The result of this research shows that the approach used by KPPU in determining the violation in business competition regulations in this case is judicial per se illegal approach. The implementation of per se illegal to the action of determining price conducted by KPPU is found accurate as it has been accommodated by market

Carotenoid content, sensory properties and microbiological quality of stored yellow cassava Fufu

The carotenoid content, sensory properties and microbiological assessment of stored cassava fufu from two cultivars of yellow cassava (TMS 01/1368 and TMS 01/1412) being multiplied for distribution in South-East and South-South Nigeria were investigated using standard techniques. There is scanty information on microbiological safety, carotenoid content, and sensory evaluation of reconstituted fufu from the newly released yellow cassava roots. That is the background against this study is carried out. In terms of carotenoid content, TMS 01/1368 had the highest carotenoid value of 7.76 μg/g and 7.48μg/g respectively, for both fresh root and fermented mash. While TMS 01/1412 had 6.26 μg/g carotenoid for fresh root and 6.69μg/g carotenoid for fermented mash. The sensory properties of the yellow cassava fufu samples revealed that they had no much difference in all the parameters and were acceptable. Results indicated acceptability of the yellow cassava cultivars and their use for fufu preparation. The pH decreased from an average of 4.66 on day one to 3.67 on the eight day for TMS 01/1368 while the cultivar TMS 01/1412 decreased from an average of 4.65 on day one to 3.54 on the eight day. The titratable acidity of the both samples did not show significant increase. The % moisture content increased from day one to day eight for the both cultivars. The values were (47.23% - 50.98%) for TMS 01/1368 and (52.04 - 60.12) for TMS 01/1412. The microbial counts increased from the initial average of 1.66 x 105 cfu/g on day one to an average count of 11.6 x 105 cfu/g on eight day for TMS 01/1368 while TMS 01/1412 increased from 2.33 x 105 cfu/g on day one to an average count of 12.0 x105 cfu/g on the eight day. The spoilage organisms associated with the products during storage include Staphylococcus areaus, Bacillus cereus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus stolonifer and Candida albicaus.Key Words, Cassava, Fufu, Safety, pH, TTA, Moisture content, Microorganism

Assessment of Occupational Health, Safety and Environment (OHSE) of small and Medium Scale Chemical Manufacturing Enterprises (SMCMES) in Enugu Metropolis Nigeria

Background: There is increasing emphasis on safety and health at workplaces since work-related injuries and ill health can ruin lives and affect businesses. The study was aimed at assessing occupational health, safety and environment practices among the Small and Medium scale Chemical Manufacturing Enterprises (SMCME) in Enugu metropolis, Nigeria.Method: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out among 382 respondents randomly selected from SMCMEs in Enugu metropolis. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to assess the nature of work processes, environmental conditions and prevalence of workplace chemical injury/disease in the last 12 months.Results: Most of the respondents operated both manual and mechanical (77%) process in their work activities. The workplace hazards observed were chemical hazards (33%), ergonomic hazards (21%), mechanical hazards (15%), physical hazards (14%) and psychosocial hazards (14%). Some common health problems were hand injury (12%) and respiratory tract infection (10%) and overall annual prevalence rate was 338 injuries/diseases per 1000 workers.Conclusion/Recommendation: Workers in SMCME ar exposed to hazards due to their poor nature of work process. There is therefore high prevalence rate of preventable work related injuries/diseases. Employers should focus on training and installing safer work environment and government should enforce the practice of OHSE in SMCME.Keywords: Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SME), Occupational Health, Safety, Environment, Hazards, Chemicals, Prevalence, Enug

Antioxidants in cancer therapy mitigating lipid peroxidation without compromising treatment through nanotechnology

Background: Cancer treatments often exploit oxidative stress to selectively kill tumour cells by disrupting their lipid peroxidation membranes and inhibiting antioxidant enzymes. However, lipid peroxidation plays a dual role in cancer progression, acting as both a tumour promoter and a suppressor. Balancing oxidative stress through antioxidant therapy remains a challenge, as excessive antioxidant activity may compromise the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Aim: This review explores the role of antioxidants in mitigating lipid peroxidation in cancer therapy while maintaining treatment efficacy. It highlights recent advancements in nanotechnology-based targeted antioxidant delivery to optimize therapeutic outcomes. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using reputable databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. The search focused on publications from the past five years (2020–2025), supplemented by relevant studies from earlier years. Keywords such as “antioxidants,” “lipid peroxidation,” “nanotechnology in cancer therapy,” and “oxidative stress” were utilized. Relevant articles were critically analysed, and graphical illustrations were created. Results: Emerging evidence suggests that nanoparticles, including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, metal–organic frameworks, and others, can effectively encapsulate and control the release of antioxidants in tumour cells while minimizing systemic toxicity. Stimuli-responsive carriers with tumour-specific targeting mechanisms further enhance antioxidant delivery. Studies indicate that these strategies help preserve normal cells, mitigate oxidative stress-related damage, and improve treatment efficacy. However, challenges such as bioavailability, stability, and potential interactions with standard therapies remain. Conclusion: Integrating nanotechnology with antioxidant-based interventions presents a promising approach for optimizing cancer therapy. Future research should focus on refining lipid peroxidation modulation strategies, assessing oxidative stress profiles during treatment, and employing biomarkers to determine optimal antioxidant dosing. A balanced approach to antioxidant use may enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse effects

Cucumeropsis mannii seed oil protects against bisphenol A-induced hepatotoxicity by mitigating inflammation and oxidative stress in rats

© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.OBJECTIVES This study looked at how CMSO affected male Wistar albino rats' liver damage caused by bisphenol A. METHODS The standard HPLC method was used to assess the CMSO's phenolic content. Then, six (n = 8) groups of forty-eight (48) male Wistar rats (150 20 g) each received either CMSO or olive oil before being exposed to BPA for 42 days. Groups: A (one milliliter of olive oil, regardless of weight), B (BPA 100 mg/kg body weight (BW)), C (CMSO 7.5 mg/kg BW), D (CMSO 7.5 mg/kg BW + BPA 100 mg/kg BW), E (CMSO 5.0 mg/kg BW + BPA 100 mg/kg BW), and F (CMSO 2.5 mg/kg BW + BPA 100 mg/kg BW). KEY FINDINGS A surprising abundance of flavonoids, totaling 17.8006 10.95 g/100 g, were found in the HPLC data. Malondialdehyde, liver enzymes, reactive oxygen species, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin levels were all significantly elevated by BPA (p 0.05). Additionally, nuclear factor-B, interleukin-6, interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor, and histological alterations were all considerably (p 0.05) caused by BPA. The altered biochemical markers and histology were, however, noticeably recovered by CMSO to a level that was comparable to the control. CONCLUSION Due to the abundance of flavonoid components in the oil, CMSO protects the liver from BPA-induced hepatotoxicity by lowering oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions.Acknowledgements: We appreciate the management of the Department of Biochemistry Institutional Research Ethics Committee, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

Cucumeropsis mannii seed oil (CMSO) attenuates alterations in testicular biochemistry and histology against Bisphenol a-induced toxicity in male Wister albino rats

Male reproductive health has deteriorated in recent years as a result of industrialization, which has led to the use of desirable chemicals, like Bisphenol A (BPA), of underlying toxicity. seed is a common soup thickener that produces vegetable oil as well as essential nutrients making it a source of nutraceuticals enlisted with a wide range of therapeutic effects. A total of 48 adult male Wistar rats (120 ± 200g) were used in this study. They were completely randomized and divided into six groups: A (1ml olive oil) irrespective of the weight, B [BPA 100 mg/kg body weight (bw)], C (CMSO 7.5 ml/kg bw), D (CMSO 7.5 ml/kg bw + BPA 100 mg/kg bw), E (CMSO 5.0 ml/kg bw + BPA 100 mg/kg bw), and E (CMSO 2.5 ml/kg bw + BPA 100 mg/kg bw). At the end of the administration via oral routes, rats were sacrificed and testes were collected for biochemistry and histological analysis. BPA significantly (P < 0.05) decreased total testicular protein, epididymal sperm parameters (count, volume, and motility), Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (MMP), body weight, testicular volume; and significantly (P < 0.05) increased testicular enzymes (alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase), testicular index; plus histological damages. Interestingly, co-administration of BPA and CMSO significantly (P < 0.05) reversed the biochemical and histological changes. CMSO prevented the biochemistry and histological alterations hence reducing the testicular toxicity. Therefore, CMSO has the potential to be a promising novel nutraceutical for the treatment and management of BPA-induced testicular toxicity. [Abstract copyright: © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

The Malaria Testing and Treatment Market in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2013

Background The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the two most leading contributors to the global burden of disease due to malaria. This paper describes the malaria testing and treatment market in the nation’s capital province of Kinshasa, including availability of malaria testing and treatment and relative anti-malarial market share for the public and private sector. Methods A malaria medicine outlet survey was conducted in Kinshasa province in 2013. Stratified multi-staged sampling was used to select areas for the survey. Within sampled areas, all outlets with the potential to sell or distribute anti-malarials in the public and private sector were screened for eligibility. Among outlets with anti-malarials or malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) in stock, a full audit of all available products was conducted. Information collected included product information (e.g. active ingredients, brand name), amount reportedly distributed to patients in the past week, and retail price. Results In total, 3364 outlets were screened for inclusion across Kinshasa and 1118 outlets were eligible for the study. Among all screened outlets in the private sector only about one in ten (12.1%) were stocking quality-assured Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) medicines. Among all screened public sector facilities, 24.5% had both confirmatory testing and quality-assured ACT available, and 20.2% had sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) available for intermittent preventive therapy during pregnancy (IPTp). The private sector distributed the majority of anti-malarials in Kinshasa (96.7%), typically through drug stores (89.1% of the total anti-malarial market). Non-artemisinin therapies were the most commonly distributed anti-malarial (50.1% of the total market), followed by non quality-assured ACT medicines (38.5%). The median price of an adult quality-assured ACT was $6.59, and more expensive than non quality-assured ACT ($3.71) and SP ($0.44). Confirmatory testing was largely not available in the private sector (1.1%). Conclusions While the vast majority of anti-malarial medicines distributed to patients in Kinshasa province are sold within the private sector, availability of malaria testing and appropriate treatment for malaria is alarmingly low. There is a critical need to improve access to confirmatory testing and quality-assured ACT in the private sector. Widespread availability and distribution of non quality-assured ACT and non-artemisinin therapies must be addressed to ensure effective malaria case management