Metrin Skincare is a Vancouver-based company with a line-up of excellent products backed by 85 years of results. While the company brand has stood the test of time through chaotic periods through the company's history with a dedicated and enthusiastic core customer base. The company decided that a new brand is needed to solidify their identity and KIMBO was brought onto the project for our expertise in this type of work.
With a company history of over 85 years, the existing Metrin brand had difficulty appealing to the more youthful group of audience. It was found that potential customers viewed Metrin products as more medical than nourishing. Thus, a few aspects in particular were identified as in need of radical improvements. First off, more effort needed to be made on capturing Metrin's welcoming personality. Secondly, brand recognition and product understanding needed improvement. Lastly, the brand refresh needs to be conducted with diligence to ensure that older customers are not alienated by any radical changes.
We conducted a comprehensive audit of the existing Metrin brand prior to beginning development work on the brand refresh. This helped us identify the strengths and weaknesses of Metrin's existing brand, and what needs to be addressed in order to overcome the aforementioned challenges.
The brand audit process was led by KIMBO's CGD-designated designers, with input from each member of the KIMBO team for a variety of perspectives from different fields of expertise (e.g. copywriter, graphic designer, developer, accountant, etc.). Prior to coming together for a thorough discussion, each member of the KIMBO team completed an independent audit of branded materials separately, rating each asset by their quality and consistency with the Metrin brand.
The KIMBO team reviewing Metrin's past and present brand for our brand audit.
As the team walked through and discussed each asset of the Metrin brand and how they relate to the existing brand, we were able to get a sense of how effective each of these assets are in conveying the appropriate message and its consistency with the overall brand from multiple viewpoints. In the end, we compiled together all of our individual findings to help us discover the overarching themes within the Metrin brand's successes and shortcomings.
Moodboards showing 3 creative directions for Metrin's new brand. " Youthful/Vibrant", " Natural/Elegant", and " Grounded/Welcoming".
Using our findings from the audit, the first step of the development phase was to formalize the substance of the brand. We tailored this foundation to two key target audience groups (namely, dedicated customers older in age, as well as the desired younger audiences), and built a complementary creative direction on this foundation. As a result, we established a succinct verbal narrative for the Metrin system and created an individual identity for each step in the Metrin Skincare system. Each step of the has its own colour and an action word to help consumers remember which products are which and make it easier to follow the steps in the correct order. To make it easier for new consumers not familiar with Metrin to identify the products that are right for them, we also created light and dark versions of the same designs for men and for women, respectively.
Metrin's "Skincare System for Her".
Metrin's "Skincare System for Him".
Our work with Metrin was well-received by project stakeholders. The company aims to roll out the new brand and corresponding materials in early 2019 to introduce a new generation to Metrin's effective skincare solutions. As a result of our close collaboration on this project, Metrin now has a fresh new brand with modern and visually-striking packaging designs. A new company logo was also developed as a part of this brand refresh in favour of a more minimalist and contemporary design.


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Fintech app installs in Africa,Nigeria records the highest number
Globally,the demand for Finance apps worldwide has surged in the last couple of years, with a 132% leap in downloads between Q1 2019 and Q1 2021. Finance app installations surged in Sub-Sahara Africa, starting in Q2 2020 with Nigeria having the highest number of fintech app installations in Africa growing at +160%. Other countries in …
Fintech app installs in Africa,Nigeria records the highest number Read More »
First Bank unveiled New Improved Website to Increase Financial Inclusion and Ease Banking Services
First Bank plc, Nigeria foremost bank, has unveiled its new improved corporate website which will serve as a financial services library that will keep customers and the public abreast of various financial services solutions and offerings, thereby helping them to improve their economic and social wellbeing." With a network of over 750 business locations, the …
First Bank unveiled New Improved Website to Increase Financial Inclusion and Ease Banking Services Read More »
Google lifts ban on US crypto exchange and wallet advertisements
Google, the world's most popular search engine in press release lifting a nearly three-year-old policy banning Crypto exchanges from using its ad services. The lifting ban means advertisers offering Cryptocurrency Exchanges and Wallets targeting the United States may advertise those products and services when they meet the following requirements and are certified by Google. The …
Google lifts ban on US crypto exchange and wallet advertisements Read More »
Soccer star, David Beckham buys 10% stake in UK electric car firm, Lunaz
Soccer Star,David Beckham, 46, has taken 10% stake in Lunaz, a UK-based car restoration and electrification firm that electrifies classic cars from Rolls-Royce to Jaguars and Range Rovers. The former England captain expands his portfolio of investments in startups join Lunaz's founders and the Barclay, Reuben and Dellal families as a shareholder. The Former England, …
Soccer star, David Beckham buys 10% stake in UK electric car firm, Lunaz Read More »
Ripple win against United State SEC as Court Denies access to Ripple's legal advice
The ongoing legal battle between Ripple and United States Securities and Exchange Commission has taken a new tone , Ripple scored another win as court denied the SEC access to Ripple's legal advice. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn of the District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled Sunday to deny the SEC's motion …
Ripple win against United State SEC as Court Denies access to Ripple's legal advice Read More »
List of banks in Nigeria offering highest dividend yields
The greatest asset of the future will be stocks with strong dividend-yield prospects. One of the easiest ways to make an avoidable mistake is getting involved in investments that are overly complex. People do not have patience to build a business for 5 years but they have patience to go to work for 35 years …
List of banks in Nigeria offering highest dividend yields Read More »
3 Microfinance Banks that offer up to N5 million Loan
Business owners who doesn't have capital to kickstart operations, sustain cash inflow will often fail as result kokolevel Blog has reveled Microfinance banks (MFBs) that can offer customers N5 million easily. Despite the crucial role that MSMEs play in the economy, particularly in developing nations, they are usually disadvantaged when it comes to sourcing funds …
3 Microfinance Banks that offer up to N5 million Loan Read More »
U.S Treasury Calls for Businesses to Report Crypto Transfers of More Than $10,000 to the IRS says they pose tax evasion risk
The flagship crypto, Bitcoin drifted lower after nearing $42,000, to trade at around $39,712 at the time of this report, still Bitcoin is up 6.12% for the day. The U.S. Treasury has introduce a proposal to strengthen tax compliance in that world's largest economy, which includes businesses reporting crypto transfers worth at least $10,000 to …
U.S Treasury Calls for Businesses to Report Crypto Transfers of More Than $10,000 to the IRS says they pose tax evasion risk Read More »
Lagos State in 3 months Generate N127 billion as internally revenue and Contributes 32 Percent of Nigeria's Total IGR
The Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Dr Rabiu Olowo, has announced that Lagos State Government had an Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N127 billion in the first quarter of 2021 despite the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the state's economy. The Commissioner in his statement said, "Our revenue trajectory and the trend shows …
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Paypal's Venmo users can now buy and sell bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies
As companies show more interest in cryptocurrency,Venmo, a mobile payment service owned by PayPal has join the race.The payment platform has revealed that users can now buy, hold and sell cryptocurrencies on its app. Crypto on Venmo is enabled through PayPal's partnership with Paxos Trust Company, a regulated provider of cryptocurrency products and services. Just …
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Barcelona named best club of decade Beat Real Madrid, Bayern Munich
The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) has named Catalan giants Barcelona to beat the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich to become the best club of the past decade. The award is nothing for Barça as they were deemed to be the best club in the decade 2001-10 and also the …
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Cristiano Ronaldo Presented With 'GOAT' 770 Shirt By Juventus for passing Pele's goal mark
Juventus president Andrea Agnelli present Cristiano Ronaldo with a special commemorative shirt for breaking Brazil legend Pele's official goalscoring record of 767 goals. It comes after Ronaldo was named the Serie A player of the year on Friday for the second consecutive time. There's no player in the world who hasn't been raised listening to …
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
'Oppenheimer Blue' diamond sells for over $51M, new record
May 18, 2016 at 3:52 PM May 18, 2016 at 3:52 PM
GENEVA — The 'Oppenheimer Blue' has sold for a hammer price of 50.6 million Swiss francs ($51.3 million), setting a new record for a diamond sold at auction.
The 14.62-carat stone, billed as the largest Vivid Blue diamond ever put up for auction, obliterated Christie's pre-sale estimate range of between 38 million and 45 million Swiss francs.
Wednesday's sale rounded out a two-day run of big-ticket jewelry auctions in Geneva. The rectangular-cutdiamond has been set in a ring and flanked by two smaller trapeze-shaped diamonds.
The previous record sale for any diamond was $48.5 million of the 12.03-carat polished "Blue Moon" diamond in Geneva last year.
The diamond got its name from the late Sir Philip Oppenheimer, who long oversaw De Beers mining and had given the stone to his wife.


It's another one of those 'busy weekends' for the denizens of Reticule Towers, which generally seem to involve a lot of wrestling and potentially even more alcohol. As a result, you're stuck with just little old me for this week's Our Week In Games, but nevertheless, feel free to put your feet up and grab yourself a cup of tea as I tell the tale of one of the last men to walk the earth.
Dead Island has not had the smoothest of launches. From released developer builds, to the already infamous 'Feminist Whore' line of code discovered over at the Steam forums – the murmurings around the game have been somewhat controversial, destroying much of the goodwill earned by an astounding early trailer.


Moroccan Style Quatrefoils offer a range design option so you can design and colour your own rug, you choose the base and design element colours giving over 9000 options. You also have the option to add a border. This is a bespoke rug made to your required size in any length between 120cm to 600cm and any length between 60cm and 400cm in width, you can also add your own splash of colour from our colour bank of over 90 colours to make your purchase truly unique. The new rug will be hand tufted using 100% wool and delivered to your door in around 6 weeks.
Input your size... Select your base Colour... Add the "Image" design elements.


text:
Notice to the Annual General Meeting of Citycon Oyj
Stock exchange releases - 23 February 2021
Citycon Oyj Stock Exchange Release 23 February 2021 at 13:30 hrs
The Annual General Meeting of Citycon Oyj will be held on Monday, 22 March 2021 at 12:00 noon. The Annual General Meeting will be held under special arrangements without shareholders' or their proxy representatives' presence at the headquarters of Citycon Oyj, at the address Piispansilta 9 A, FI-02230 Espoo, Finland.
Board of Directors of Citycon Oyj has resolved on exceptional meeting procedures based on the temporary legislative act to limit the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic (677/2020), which entered into force on 3 October 2020. In order to ensure the health and safety of the shareholders, employees and other stakeholders of the company, the Annual General Meeting will be organized without shareholders' and their proxy representatives' presence at the Annual General Meeting venue. Shareholders can participate in the Annual General Meeting and use their shareholder rights in connection with the Annual General Meeting by voting in advance (either personally or through a proxy representative), by submitting counterproposals in advance and by asking questions in advance in the manner described below. Proxy representatives must also vote in advance in the manner described below. For further instructions, please refer to Section C. "Instructions for the Participants in the General Meeting" of this notice.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors, the members of the Board of Directors, the President and CEO and other management of the company and the Auditor will not attend the Annual General Meeting and no webcast will be provided. Pre-recorded presentations by the company's Chairman of the Board of Directors Chaim Katzman, CEO F. Scott Ball and CFO Eero Sihvonen will be published on the company's website on 22 March 2021. The presentations are not a part of the Annual General Meeting.
A. Matters on the Agenda of the General Meeting
At the Annual General Meeting, the following matters will be considered:
1. Opening of the Meeting
2. Calling the Meeting to Order
Attorney-at-law Mikko Heinonen will act as the Chairman of the Annual General Meeting. If due to weighty reasons Mikko Heinonen is not able to act as the Chairman, the Board of Directors shall appoint another person it deems most suitable to act as the Chairman.
3. Election of Persons to Scrutinize the Minutes and to Supervise the Counting of Votes
Company's Senior Legal Counsel Marjo Westergård will scrutinize the minutes and supervise the counting of votes at the Annual General Meeting. Should Marjo Westergård for a weighty reason not be able to attend these tasks, the company's Board of Directors will appoint another person that it deems most suitable to scrutinize the minutes and supervise the counting of votes.
4. Recording the Legality of the Meeting
5. Recording the Attendance and Adopting the List of Votes
Shareholders who have voted in advance in accordance with the instructions set out in this notice and who have the right to attend the Annual General Meeting in accordance with Chapter 5, Sections 6 and 6a of the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act will be recorded to have attended the General Meeting. The list of votes will be adopted according to the information furnished by Euroclear Finland Ltd.
6. Presentation of the Financial Statements, the Report of the Board of Directors and the Auditor's Report for the Year 2020
As shareholders can only participate in the Annual General Meeting by voting in advance, the company's Financial Review 2020 published on 18 February 2021, which includes the company's financial statements, the Report of the Board of Directors, and the Auditor's Report, and has been made available on the company's website at citycon.com/agm2021, will be deemed to have been presented to the Annual General Meeting.
7. Adoption of the Financial Statements
8. Resolution on the Use of the Profit Shown on the Balance Sheet as well as Authorization of the Board of Directors to Decide on the Distribution of Dividend and Assets from the Invested Unrestricted Equity Fund
The Board of Directors proposes that based on the balance sheet to be adopted for the financial period ended on 31 December 2020, no dividend is distributed by a resolution of the Annual General Meeting.
Nonetheless, the Board of Directors proposes that the Board of Directors be authorized to decide in its discretion on the distribution of dividend and assets from the invested unrestricted equity fund in the manner set forth below.
Based on this authorization, the maximum total amount of dividend to be distributed shall not exceed EUR 0.05 per share and the maximum total amount of equity repayment distributed from the invested unrestricted equity fund shall not exceed EUR 0.45 per share. Based on the current total number of issued shares in the company, the authorization would equal to a maximum of EUR 8,899,926.25 in dividend and a maximum of EUR 80,099,336.25 in equity repayment.
The authorization is valid until the opening of the next Annual General Meeting.
Unless the Board of Directors decides otherwise for a justified reason, the authorization will be used to distribute dividend and/or equity repayment four times during the period of validity of the authorization. The Board of Directors will make separate resolutions on each distribution of the dividend and/or equity repayment so that the preliminary record and payment dates for the dividend and/or equity repayment will be as set out below. Citycon shall make separate announcements of each such Board resolution.
Preliminary payment date
Preliminary record date
The dividend and/or equity repayment based on the resolution of the Board of Directors will be paid to a shareholder registered in the company's shareholders' register maintained by Euroclear Finland Ltd on the record date of the dividend and/or equity repayment.
As the balance sheet to be adopted for the financial period ended on 31 December 2020 does not indicate profit for the period, shareholders do not have the right to demand minority dividend pursuant to Chapter 13 Section 7 of the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act.
9. Resolution on the Discharge of the Members of the Board of Directors and the CEO from Liability
10. Remuneration Report
The Board of Directors proposes that the Remuneration Report of the Company's governing bodies for 2020 be approved. The resolution is advisory in accordance with the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act.
The Remuneration Report is available on the Company's website at citycon.com/agm2021. Since the Annual General Meeting may only be attended by voting in advance, the Remuneration Report of the governing bodies is deemed to have been presented to the Annual General Meeting.
11. Resolution on the Remuneration of the Members of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors proposes on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee that the remuneration of members of the Board of Directors would remain the same and the Chairman of the Board of Directors be paid an annual fee of EUR 160,000, the Deputy Chairmen EUR 70,000 and the ordinary members of the Board EUR 50,000. The Chairmen of the Board of Directors' Committees would be paid an additional annual fee of EUR 5,000.
It is proposed that the Chairmen of the meetings of the Board's Committees shall be paid a meeting fee of EUR 800 and other Board and Committee members EUR 600 per meeting, with the exception of the Chairman of the Board, who shall be paid no meeting fees.
The members of the Board of Directors shall be compensated for accrued travel and lodging expenses as well as other potential costs related to Board and Committee work.
12. Resolution on the Number of Members of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors proposes on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee that the number of members of the Board of Directors shall be ten.
13. Election of the Members of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors proposes on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee that of the current members of the Board of Directors Chaim Katzman, Yehuda (Judah) L. Angster, Arnold de Haan, Zvi Gordon, Alexandre (Sandy) Koifman, David Lukes, Andrea Orlandi, Per-Anders Ovin, Ofer Stark and Ariella Zochovitzky be re-elected. The members of the Board of Directors will be elected for a term that will continue until the close of the next Annual General Meeting.
All candidates have given their consent to the election. All candidates of the Board of Directors are independent of the company. All candidates, with the exception of Chaim Katzman, Zvi Gordon, Ofer Stark and Andrea Orlandi are independent of the company's significant shareholders.
All candidates for the Board of Directors have been presented on the company's website citycon.com/agm2021.
14. Resolution on the Remuneration of the Auditor
The Board of Directors proposes on the recommendation of the Audit and Governance Committee that the audit fee be paid in accordance with the auditor's invoice approved by the company.
15. Election of the Auditor
On the recommendation of the Audit and Governance Committee, the Board of Directors proposes that the company's present auditor Ernst & Young Oy, a firm of authorized public accountants, be re-elected as the auditor. Ernst & Young Oy has announced that APA Antti Suominen would act as the auditor with principal responsibility.
16. Authorizing the Board of Directors to Decide on the Issuance of Shares as well as the Issuance of Special Rights Entitling to Shares
The Board of Directors proposes that the Board of Directors be authorized to decide on the issuance of shares as well as the issuance of special rights entitling to shares referred to in Chapter 10 Section 1 of the Companies Act by one or several decisions in the manner described below.
The number of shares to be issued shall not exceed 17 million shares, which would correspond to approximately 9.55 percent of all registered shares in the company. Shares potentially issued by virtue of the special rights entitling to shares are included in the aforesaid maximum number of shares.
The Board of Directors decides on all the conditions of the issuance of shares and special rights entitling to shares. The authorization concerns both the issuance of new shares as well as the transfer of own shares held by the company. The issuance of shares and special rights entitling to shares may be carried out in deviation from the shareholders' pre-emptive rights by way of a directed issue.
The authorization is valid until the close of the next Annual General Meeting, however, no longer than 30 June 2022, and it revokes all earlier share issue authorizations as well as authorizations to issue special rights entitling to shares.
17. Authorizing the Board of Directors to Decide on the Repurchase and/or on the Acceptance as Pledge of the Company's Own Shares
The Board of Directors proposes that the Board of Directors be authorized to decide on the repurchase and/or on the acceptance as pledge of the company's own shares in one or several tranches as follows.
The number of own shares to be repurchased and/or accepted as pledge shall not exceed 10 million shares, which would correspond to approximately 5.62 percent of all registered shares in the company. Only the unrestricted equity of the company can be used to repurchase own shares on the basis of the authorization.
Own shares can be repurchased at a price formed in public trading on the date of the repurchase or at a price otherwise formed on the market.
The Board of Directors decides how own shares will be repurchased and/or accepted as pledge. Own shares can be repurchased for instance by using derivatives. Own shares can be repurchased otherwise than in proportion to the shareholdings of the shareholders (directed repurchase).
The authorization is valid until the close of next Annual General Meeting, however, no longer than until 30 June 2022, and it revokes all earlier authorizations to repurchase and/or accept as pledge the company's owns shares.
18. Closing of the Meeting
B. Documents of the General Meeting
Citycon Oyj's Financial Statements, the Report of the Board of Directors, the Auditor's Report, the Remuneration Report, the proposals for the decisions on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting, and this notice are available on the company's website citycon.com/agm2021 on 23 February 2021. Said documents will also be available at the venue of the meeting. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting will be available on the aforementioned website as of 5 April 2021 at the latest.
C. Instructions for the Participants in the General Meeting
In order to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Annual General Meeting will be organized without the shareholders' and their proxy representatives' presence at the Annual General Meeting venue. Participation over real-time telecommunications or a recording of the Annual General Meeting will not be available. Shareholders can participate in the meeting and use their shareholder rights only by voting in advance (either personally or through a proxy representative), by submitting counterproposals in advance and by asking questions in advance in the manner described below. Proxy representatives must also vote in advance in the manner described below.
1. Right to participate
Each shareholder, who is registered in the company's shareholders' register maintained by Euroclear Finland Ltd on 10 March 2021 has the right to participate in the general meeting. A shareholder, whose shares are registered on his/her personal Finnish book-entry account, is registered in the company's shareholders' register.
Instructions for holders of nominee-registered shares are set out below under Section C4 "Holders of nominee-registered shares".
2. Registration and voting in advance
Registration for the General Meeting and advance voting will begin on 3 March 2021 at 9:00 a.m. (EET), when the deadline for submitting counterproposals to be put to a vote has expired. A shareholder who is registered in the company's shareholders' register and who wishes to participate in the General Meeting, must register for the General Meeting and vote in advance no later than by 16 March 2021 at 4:00 p.m. (EET), by which time the votes must have been received.
A shareholder whose shares are registered on the shareholder's Finnish book-entry account can register and vote in advance on certain matters on the agenda of the General Meeting from 3 March 2021 at 9:00 a.m. (EET) until 16 March 2021 at 4:00 p.m. (EET) by the following means:
electronically by utilizing Euroclear's electronic general meeting service accessible at citycon.com/agm2021. Registering and voting in advance requires strong electronic identification (bank codes or Mobile ID) for natural persons and business ID and the book-entry account number for legal persons.
by sending the advance voting form available on the company's website or corresponding information to Euroclear Finland Oy by email to yhtiokokous@euroclear.eu or by regular mail to Euroclear Finland Oy, Yhtiökokous/Citycon Oyj, P.O. Box 1110, FI-00101 Helsinki.
The advance voting form and instructions relating to the advance voting will be available on the company's website at citycon.com/agm2021 no later than on 3 March 2021 at 9:00 a.m. (EET).
If a shareholder participates in the Annual General Meeting by voting in advance in accordance with the applicable instructions before the expiry of the registration and advance voting period, this constitutes due registration for the Annual General Meeting, provided that all information required for registration and advance voting is duly provided. No other notification of participation is required for the Annual General Meeting.
In connection with the registration, a shareholder or a proxy representative is required to provide the requested personal information. The personal data given to Citycon by shareholders and proxy representatives is only used in connection with the Annual General Meeting and with the processing of related necessary registrations.
3. Proxy representatives and powers of attorney
A shareholder may participate in the Annual General Meeting and exercise his/her rights at the meeting by way of proxy representation. Also the proxy representative of a shareholder may only participate by voting in advance in the manner instructed above.
A proxy representative must produce a dated proxy document or otherwise, in a reliable manner, demonstrate his/her right to represent the shareholder at the Annual General Meeting. If a shareholder participates in the Annual General Meeting by means of several proxy representatives representing the shareholder with shares in different book-entry accounts, the shares, by which each proxy representative represents the shareholder, shall be identified in connection with the registration for the Annual General Meeting.
Proxy and voting instruction templates will be available on the company's website at citycon.com/agm2021 as from 3 March 2021 onwards. Proxy documents and advance voting forms should be delivered to Euroclear Finland Oy by mail to Euroclear Finland Oy, Yhtiökokous/Citycon Oyj, P.O Box 1110, FI-00101 Helsinki or by email to yhtiokokous@euroclear.eu before the last date for registration and advance voting, by which time the documents must be received.
If a shareholder delivers a proxy to the company in accordance with the applicable instructions before the expiry of the registration and advance voting period, this constitutes due registration for the Annual General Meeting, provided that all required information is included in the proxy documents.
Further information will also be available on the company's website at citycon.com/agm2021.
4. Holders of nominee registered shares
A holder of nominee registered shares has the right to participate in the general meeting by virtue of such shares, based on which (s)he on the record date of the general meeting, i.e. on 10 March 2021, would be entitled to be registered in the company's shareholders' register maintained by Euroclear Finland Ltd. In addition, the right to participate in the general meeting requires that the shareholder has, on the basis of such shares, been temporarily registered in the shareholders' register maintained by Euroclear Finland Ltd not later than 17 March 2021 at 10:00 a.m. (EET). As regards nominee registered shares this constitutes due registration for the general meeting.
A holder of nominee registered shares is advised to request without delay necessary instructions regarding the temporary registration in the company's shareholders' register, the issuing of proxy documents and registration for the general meeting from his/her custodian bank. The account management organization of the custodian bank shall register a holder of nominee registered shares, who wants to participate in the general meeting, to be temporarily entered in the company's shareholders' register at the latest by the time stated above and see to the voting in advance on behalf of a holder of nominee registered shares before the due date for the registration. Further information on these matters can also be found on the company's website citycon.com/agm2021.
5. Other instructions and information
Shareholders representing at least one hundredth (1/100) of all the shares in the company have the right to pose counterproposals concerning the matters on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting to be placed for a vote. Such counterproposals shall be delivered to the company by email to legal@citycon.com at the latest by 1 March 2021 at 4:00 p.m. (EET), by which time the counterproposals must be received by the company.
In connection with making a counterproposal, shareholders are required to provide adequate evidence of their shareholding. A counterproposal is eligible for voting at the Annual General Meeting if the shareholders who have made the counterproposal have the right to attend the meeting and on the record date of the Annual General Meeting represent at least one hundredth (1/100) of all shares in the company. If a counterproposal is not eligible for voting at the Annual General Meeting, the votes given in favour of such a counterproposal will not be taken into account. The company will publish potential counterproposals eligible for voting on the company's website at citycon.com/agm2021 on 3 March 2021 at the latest.
A shareholder has the right to ask questions with respect to the matters to be considered at the Annual General Meeting pursuant to Chapter 5, Section 25 of the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act. Such questions must be sent by email to legal@citycon.com at the latest by 9 March 2021 at 4:00 p.m. (EET), by which time the questions must be received by the company.
Such questions by shareholders, responses to such questions by the company as well as other counterproposals than those eligible for voting will be available on the company's website at citycon.com/agm2021 on 12 March 2021 at the latest. In connection with asking questions, shareholders are required to provide adequate evidence of their shareholding.
Changes in the shareholding after the record date of the Annual General Meeting do not affect the right to participate in the meeting or the number of voting rights held in the meeting.
On the date of publication of this notice, 23 February 2021, Citycon Oyj has 177,998,525 shares and votes.
CITYCON OYJ
Laura Jauhiainen
Vice President, Strategy and Investor Relations
laura.jauhiainen@citycon.com
Citycon is a leading owner, manager and developer of mixed-use centres for urban living including retail, office space and housing. We are committed to sustainable property management in the Nordic region with assets that total approximately EUR 4.4 billion. Our centres are located in urban hubs with a direct connection to public transport. Placed in the heart of communities, our centres are anchored by groceries, healthcare and services to cater for the everyday needs of customers.
Citycon has investment-grade credit ratings from Moody's (Baa3), Fitch (BBB-) and Standard & Poor's (BBB-). Citycon Oyj's share is listed in Nasdaq Helsinki.


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Q: Validar se método existe no webservice e customizar mensagem de retorno Estou criando um webservice rest, e está funcionando adequadamente, porém há uma situação que não consegui tratar: caso a url fornecida esteja buscando por um método inexistente, o solicitante é redirecionado para a tela de erro do meu sistema, sendo que eu gostaria de exibir uma mensagem customizada. Segue descrição:
url1 (válida): https://127.0.0.1/sistema/ws/exemplo/consulta1?param1=teste1&param2=teste2
url (inválida): https://127.0.0.1/sistema/ws/exemplo/consulta2
Gostaria que ao receber uma url diferente de url1, o sistema exibisse uma mensagem customizada, ao invés de redirecionar para a tela de página não encontrada. Porém como devo criar um método para interceptar e validar a url, sendo que o path informado não existe em minha classe?
@Path("/ws/exemplo")
public class exemploResource {

    //único método implementado atualmente
    @GET()
    @Produces("text/plain")
    @Path("consulta1")
    public String consulta1(@QueryParam("param1") final String param1,
            @QueryParam("param2") final String param2,
            final @Context HttpServletRequest request) {
   ...
   }

A: Encontrei uma dica de tratamento (infelizmente perdi o link da referência) e adaptei para meu uso, criando o seguinte método:
@GET()
@Produces("text/plain")
@Path("{url}")
public String validaServico (@PathParam("url") final String url) {
    //metodosExistentes é uma lista com todos os métodos existentes
    if (this.metodosExistentes.contains(url))
        return "";
    else
    {
        //omiti parte do código de setar mensagem e criar xml de retorno
        //por não ser pertinente ao assunto
        erro.setDeErro("Consulta desejada não encontrada.");
        return XmlUtil.objectToXml(erro);
    }
}

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text:
You Are Worth It
Building a Life Worth Fighting For
By Kyle Carpenter and Don Yaeger
"Kyle displayed a heroism in the blink of an eye that will inspire for generations"
You Are Worth ItKyle Carpenter
On November 21, 2010, U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Kyle Carpenter was posted on a rooftop in violent Helmand Province, Afghanistan, when an enemy grenade skittered toward Kyle and fellow Marine Nick Eufrazio. Without hesitation, Kyle chose a path of selfless heroism that few can imagine. He jumped on the grenade, saving Nick but sacrificing himself.
One of the year's most anticipated books, Kyle's remarkable memoir reveals a central truth that will inspire every reader: Life is worth everything we've got. It is the story of how one man became a so-called hero who willingly laid down his life for his brother-in-arms—and equally, it is a story of rebirth, of how Kyle battled back from the gravest challenge to forge a life of joyful purpose.
Kyle Carpenter's heart flatlined three times while he was being evacuated off the battlefield in Afghanistan. Yet his spirit was unbroken. Severely wounded from head to toe, Kyle lost his right eye as well as most of his jaw. It would take dozens of surgeries and almost three years in and out of the hospital to reconstruct his body. From there, he began the process of rebuilding his life. What he has accomplished in the last nine years is extraordinary: he's come back a stronger, better, wiser person.
In 2014, Kyle was awarded the nation's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his "singular act of courage" on that rooftop in Afghanistan, an action which had been reviewed exhaustively by the military. Kyle became the youngest living recipient of the award.
You Are Worth It is a memoir about the war in Afghanistan and Kyle's heroics, and it is also a manual for living. Organized around the credos that have guided Kyle's life (from "Don't Hide Your Scars" to "Call Your Mom"), the book encourages us to become our best selves in the time we've been given on earth. Above all, it's about finding purpose, regardless of the hurdles that may block our way.
Moving and unforgettable, You Are Worth It is an astonishing memoir from one of our most extraordinary young leaders.
Introduction: You Are Worth It
Washington D.C. and The National Museum of the Marine Corps | Worth it Episode 3 | Kyle Carpenter
What it's like to release a book! | Media Tour in NYC | WORTH IT Episode 1 | Kyle Carpenter
Meeting El Presidente at the Barstool HQ! | WORTH IT EP2 | The Think Tank | Kyle Carpenter
My book is for everyone | Zero Blog Thirty | Barstool Sports | Kyle Carpenter | Podcast Highlights
"A story of hope, selflessness, faith, and rebirth. ... Gives hope to those who are struggling." -- Daily Caller
"Kyle Carpenter is truly amazing! He is definitely an American hero. His memoir deserves to be a huge success. I wish Kyle and his coauthor Don Yaeger the very best with You Are Worth It." -- MIKE KRZYZEWSKI, Duke University men's basketball coach
"Kyle Carpenter's memoir of gallantry beyond the call of duty provides a vivid reminder that grit and valor remain American hallmarks. A compelling account of life well lived against the toughest odds, one that will inspire and build confidence in every reader." -- JIM MATTIS, former U.S. Secretary of Defense
"Kyle Carpenter has shown true courage and strength in the face of extraordinary challenges. From the attack in Afghanistan to multiple surgeries and obstacles, he never lost his faith or his will to serve his fellow brothers and sisters. His story inspires us and makes all Americans proud." -- NIKKI HALEY, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
"Offers valuable life lessons that speak beyond [Carpenter's] years. ... You Are Worth It is a work of last value. It holds tremendous potential to transform lives by assisting people in rising from their struggles stronger and more capable of loving one another." -- The Federalist
"Kyle Carpenter's courage and sacrifice as a Marine was the true act of servant leadership, and I couldn't be more honored to know him. You won't get a more genuine story of finding purpose or living a life with intention than You Are Worth It." -- JOHN C. MAXWELL, author of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
"I think Kyle Carpenter is one of the greatest living Americans, and I'm honored to know him. This book is important. After I read it I wanted to be better. Please share it with the people you love." -- ZAC BROWN, Grammy Award-winning musician
"Kyle displayed a heroism in the blink of an eye that will inspire for generations" -- BARACK OBAMA
Williamkylecarpenter@gmail.com


HOLGUIN, Cuba — Pope Francis marked the anniversary Monday of the day he decided as a teenager to become a priest by pressing a subtle message to Cubans at a delicate point in their own history: Overcome ideological preconceptions and be willing to change.
Francis traveled to Cuba's fourth-largest city, Holguin, and celebrated a Mass where Cuban rhythms mixed with church hymns under a scorching tropical sun. Later in the day, he left for Santiago on Cuba's eastern end, and on Tuesday he will fly to Washington for the U.S. leg of his visit to the two former Cold War enemies.
"Do you believe it is possible that a tax collector can be a servant?" he asked on Day 3 of his visit to the island. "Do you believe it is possible that a traitor can become a friend?"
"Francis is looking for peace among peoples and countries," said Yordani Monteagudo, a 24-year-old government worker who recorded Francis' encounter with young people Sunday night and was still talking about it a day later. "In his message he called on young people to not be afraid to dream. This makes you want to live, and build up this country."


text:
Aqueous garlic extract improves renal clearance via vasodilatory/antioxidant mechanisms and mitigated proteinuria via stabilization of glomerular filtration barrier
Christian Eseigbe Imafidon ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-3806-964X1,2,
Rufus Ojo Akomolafe2,
Omotayo Alaba Eluwole3,
Isiaka Ayofe Adekunle2 &
Ruby Adebusola Agbaje4
Lead (Pb) remains an apparently indispensable material in several industrial processes. It is a potent environmental toxin with associated deleterious biological effects. The study investigated the effects of aqueous garlic extract (AGE) on renal clearance and proteinuria in Wistar rats with Pb-induced kidney injury.
Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into six groups of five rats each such that exposure to Pb (35 mg/kg i.p) for 10 consecutive days was either followed by 30 days recovery period (without treatment) or 30 days post-treatment with oral graded doses of AGE at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg while comparisons where made against a control (2 ml/kg NORMAL SALINE) at p < 0.05. The phytochemical constituents of the extract were determined using conventional standard protocols before administration to the rats.
Pb toxicity induced deleterious alterations of renal function biomarkers (creatinine, urea and total protein) in the plasma and urine, indicators of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation (GSH, SOD, CAT and TBARS) in the kidney tissues as well as significantly lowered plasma and kidney NO level (p < 0.05) of the rats. It also significantly lowered creatinine clearance and fractional excretion of urea while urine total protein-creatinine ratio was significantly increased in the rats. Kidney histology showed evidence of Pb-induced glomerular atrophy with tubular and interstitial vacuolation. However, AGE administration was associated with significant normalization of the aforementioned biochemical parameters (p < 0.05) as well as kidney histoarchitectural improvement. The pharmacological effects of AGE were attributed to its determined phytochemical constituents.
AGE normalized renal clearance through vasodilatory and antioxidant mechanisms with associated mitigation of proteinuria through stabilization of glomerular filtration barrier.
Kidney, the principal organ of homeostasis, performs both excretory and regulatory functions [1, 2]. Renal dysfunction results in bioaccumulation of metabolic wastes which could be terminal (resulting in death), if left unchecked [3]. While some forms of kidney disorder are idiopathic, others have been associated with known causes namely genetic, lifestyle or chemically-induced (toxicological) [4,5,6]. Heavy metal toxicity, of which lead (Pb) toxicity is important, plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of kidney disorder in many population [5, 7, 8].
Lead (Pb), occurring in both organic and inorganic forms in the environment, is a toxic heavy metal of environmental and occupational concern [9, 10]. Due to its unique inherent qualities namely low melting point, resistant to corrosion, malleability, ductility and softness, Pb has found its relevance in several industrial processes such as in the production of paints, automobiles, water pipes, ceramics as well as electric storage batteries [9, 11]. Nevertheless, it is a non-biodegradable toxicant which when absorbed into the body (either by inhalation or ingestion) has an estimated biological half-life of about 10 years, thus enhancing bioaccumulation [10, 12]. Acting through disturbance of the antioxidant system, Pb-induced oxidative stress is known to occur via any of the following two pathways in order to cause toxic effects; generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and depletion of antioxidant reserves through the generation of ROS [13, 14]. According to literature, Pb toxicity is associated with deleterious biological effects including hemopoietic [15], nervous [12], reproductive [9], cardiovascular [16], gastrointestinal [10], hepatic [17] and kidney [18, 19] dysfunctions. Since the basic mechanism of Pb-induced toxicity is disruption of the antioxidant system, therapeutic interventions are usually geared towards application of chelating agents namely dimercaprol (BAL), Calcium Disodium EDTA (CaNa2EDTA) and succimer (2, 3–meso-dimercaptosuccinic acid or DMSA). These chelating agents are expensive, not readily available and sometimes burdened with undesirable side effects [9, 20]. This study aimed at exploring the therapeutic potential of a local (easily accessible) medicinal plant in an experimental model of Pb-induced kidney injury.
It was reported by WHO that, in health care aids, medicinal plants are used among 80% of the world's population either as the plant extract or in the form of their active components due to their health beneficial effects [21]. Besides forming the basis for almost all medicinal therapy, herbs are contained in about 40% of prescriptions and interest for herbal remedies instead of synthetic drugs is on the increase due to their associated relatively lesser side effects [22, 23].
Garlic (Allium sativum) is a common and readily accessible plant that is cultivated both sexually and asexually [24]. It is a nutritional plant that is used as spice in food and has vast medicinal properties [8, 9]. Some of its pharmacological activities namely anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-biotic and anti-thrombotic effects have been experimentally demonstrated in conditions such as prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, reproductive toxicity and kidney injury [8, 9, 25]. However, there is dearth of literature on the effects of garlic extract on the mechanisms of renal clearance and proteinuria in models of Pb-induced kidney injury. This study aims to bridge this gap in knowledge.
Metabolic cages
Metabolic cages were fabricated by Central Technological Laboratory and Workshops (CTLW), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun state, Nigeria [3, 26].
Plant material, lead salt, biochemical kits and chemicals
Fresh garlic bulbs where purchased from a commercial supplier at Lagere market, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria and certified by a Botanist at the Department of Botany, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) where a voucher specimen was deposited.
Lead, in the form of lead acetate salt, was procured from Guangzhou Fischer Chemical Co., Ltd. (Guangdong, China).
Assay kits for renal function tests were purchased from Randox Laboratories Ltd. (United Kindgdom) while 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazy (DPPH) was procured from Sigma Chemicals Co. (USA). All other chemicals used were of analytical grade, available commercially.
Extraction process of aqueous garlic extract (AGE)
The garlic bulbs were peeled, rinsed in tap water and thereafter weighed (W1). The weighed bulbs were pulverized in distilled water with the aid of a Waring blender (Waring Commercial, Torrington, CT). With the aid of an electric shaker, the resulting mixture was subjected to constant shaking for 12 h and thereafter filtered using < 2 μm pore sieve. The filtrate, without been concentrated with a rotary evaporator, was directly fixed-dried in a lyophilizer at − 40 °C (Ilshin Lab. Co. Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea). The yield obtained (aqueous garlic extract) was weighed (W2) and thereafter kept in a desiccator until when needed. The percentage yield of aqueous garlic extract (AGE) was calculated using the formula below; [3, 27, 28].
$$ \mathrm{Percentage}\ \mathrm{yield}\ \mathrm{of}\ \mathrm{AGE}\ \left(\%\right)=\frac{\mathrm{Yield}\ \mathrm{of}\ \mathrm{extract}\ \mathrm{in}\ \mathrm{gram}\ \left(\mathrm{W}2\right)}{\mathrm{Weight}\ \mathrm{of}\ \mathrm{freshly}\ \mathrm{peeled}\ \mathrm{bulbs}\ \mathrm{in}\ \mathrm{gram}\ \left(\mathrm{W}1\right)}\times 100\% $$
Note: The extraction process of aqueous garlic extract (AGE) was carried out without the application of heat.
Phytochemical screening of AGE
Phytochemical screening of the extract was carried out in accordance with established standard laboratory protocols, described as follows;
The presence of alkaloids were qualitatively determined by the method of Halilu and co-workers [29] and quantified according to the method of Harbone [30]. Flavonoids were qualitatively determined by the method of Halilu and co-workers [29] and quantified by the method of Obadoni and Ochuko [31]. The presence of tannins was determined by the method of Halilu and co-workers [29] and thereafter quantified by the method of Allen and co-workers [32]. The presence of saponins was determined using Froth test as described by Benmehdi and co-workers [33] and thereafter quantified by the method of Obadoni and Ochuko [31]. The presence of phenolics was determined and quantified by the method of Edeoga and co-workers [34]. The presence of terpenoids was qualitatively determined by the method of Benmehdi and co-workers [33]. Qualitative analysis of cardiac glycoside was by Keller-Kiliani test as described by Anjali and Sheetal [35] while the quantitative analysis was by the method of Harbone [30].
Determination of total flavonoid and total phenolic contents of AGE
Total phenolic content of AGE was determined by the method of Singleton and Rossi [36] and as described by Gulcin and co-workers [37] using Folin–Ciocalteu's phenol reagent which is an oxidizing reagent. 0.2 ml of Folin–Ciocalteu's phenol reagent was added to a mixture of 0.1 ml of the sample and 0.9 ml of distilled water. The resulting mixture was voltexed. After 5 min of standing, 1.00 ml of 7% (w/w) Na2CO3 solution was added and thereafter made up to 2.5 ml with distilled water before the resulting mixture was incubated for 90 min at room temperature. Using an ultraviolet (UV)-Vis spectrophotometer (Labtronics, India; Model LT-290), the absorbance was read at a wavelength of 750 nm against a negative control which contained 1 ml of distilled water. The gallic acid equivalent (GAE) of AGE was determined using gallic acid at 0.1 mg/ml as a standard, after preparing a calibration curve.
Total flavonoid content of AGE was determined using aluminum chloride colorimetric assay method according to Zhilen and co-workers [38] and as described by Miliauskas and co-workers [39]. Standard quercetin with varying concentrations 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 mg/ml was used as standard in comparison to the AGE sample. 0.4 ml of DW was added to 0.1 ml of AGE/the standard, followed by 0.1 ml of 5% sodium nitrate solution. After 5 min, 0.1 ml of 10% aluminum chloride, and 0.2 ml of sodium hydroxide solutions were added to the resulting mixture after which the volume was made up to 2.5 ml with distilled water. The absorbance, at a wavelength of 510 nm, was read against blank using a UV–vis spectrophotometer (Labtronics, India; Model LT-290).
The aforementioned tests were performed in triplicate, and the final results were expressed as mean ± Standard Error of Mean in mg quercetin/GAE per gram of AGE using the formula below; [37, 39].
$$ \mathrm{X}=\mathrm{q}\ \left(\mathrm{V}/\mathrm{w}\right) $$
X = total content of flavonoid or phenolic compound in quercetin or GAE respectively;
q = concentration of quercetin or gallic acid established from the standard curve;
V = volume of AGE (ml); and.
w = weight of AGE sample.
Radical scavenging activity of AGE
The extract was evaluated for radical scavenging activity using Table 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazy (DPPH) according to the method of Blois [40]. Butylated hydroxyl anisole (BHA) solutions as well as varied concentrations of the extract (2.5, 5, 10, and 20 g/ml) were taken into different test tubes. Four millilitres (4 ml) of 0.1 mM of DPPH was added to the test tubes, voltexed and allowed to stand at 27 °C for 20 min. Absorbance of the samples was measured at 517 nm against the absorbance of the control and their radical scavenging activities were calculated as follows; [40].
Table 1 Experimental protocol and dose regimen
$$ \mathrm{Radical}\ \mathrm{scavenging}\ \mathrm{activity}\ \left(\%\right)=\frac{1\hbox{-} \mathrm{Asample}}{\mathrm{Acontrol}}\times 100 $$
Determination of acute oral lethal dose (LD50) of AGE
Acute oral lethal dose (LD50) of AGE was determined by the method of Lorke [41] as modified by Imafidon and co-workers [27]. The modification of Lorke's procedure was the use of 2 rats per group in the second phase of the study; Lorke proposed the use of 1 rat per group at the second phase of LD50 determination.
A total of 17 adult Wistar rats were used for the determination of LD50. In the first phase of the experiment, 9 rats were divided into 3 groups of 3 rats each and thereafter received graded doses of AGE at 10 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg orally. The rats were observed for 24 h after which the first phase of the study was terminated.
In the second phase, 8 rats were divided into 4 groups of 2 rats each after which they received graded doses of AGE at 750 mg/kg, 1500 mg/kg, 3000 mg/kg and 6000 mg/kg orally. They were also observed for 24 h after which the second phase of the study was terminated. Thereafter, the oral LD50 of AGE was determined using the formula below;
$$ {\mathrm{LD}}_{50}=\surd \mathrm{a}\ x\ \mathrm{b} $$
Where a = least dose that killed a rat;
b = highest dose that did not kill a rat.
Preparation of stock solution of Pb and AGE
Lead (Pb), in the form of lead acetate [Pb (CH3COO)2], was used for the study. It was ensured that each 100 g rat received 0.2 ml of any of the solutions in order to avoid fluid overload.
The stock solution of Pb was prepared by dissolving 35 mg of lead acetate in 20 ml of normal saline so that each 100 g rat received intraperitoneal injection of 0.2 ml of Pb from the stock solution (35 mg/kg of Pb) for 10 consecutive days.
The stock solution for 100 mg/kg of AGE was prepared by dissolving 1 g of AGE in 20 ml of normal saline. The stock solutions for 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of AGE were prepared by dissolving 2 g and 4 g of AGE each in 20 ml of normal saline respectively. The stock solutions for AGE were refrigerated after use while fresh samples were prepared every 48 h throughout the period of study.
Animal management and experimental protocol
The experimental protocols were in strict compliance with the guidelines for animal research, as detailed in NIH Guidelines for the Care and use of Laboratory Animals [42] and approved by local Institutional Research Committee.
Thirty male Wistar rats (aged 8–9 weeks old) weighing 120 – 150 g were used for this study. They were purchased from the Animal Holdings Unit of the College of Health Sciences, OAU, Ile-Ife where the study was carried out. Each rat was housed in a separate metabolic cage and was allowed access to standard rat chow (ACE Feeds Plc, Osogbo, Nigeria) and water ad libitum. The rats were allowed to acclimatize to life in the metabolic cages for two weeks before the study commenced. The rats were thereafter divided into six groups of five rats each as follows; Group 1 received normal saline (2 ml/kg) throughout the study period, after which they were sacrificed under ketamine anesthesia (65 mg/kg i.m). Group 2 received 35 mg/kg of Pb (i.p) for 10 consecutive days after which they were euthanized under ketamine anesthesia. Group 3 were pretreated as group 2 and thereafter left for a recovery period of 30 days (without treatment) before they were also euthanized. Groups 4, 5 and 6 were pretreated as group 2 and thereafter received graded doses of AGE at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively for 30 days before they were also euthanized (Table 1). Before the rats were euthanized, their 24 h urine samples were collected inside the metabolic cages. Blood sample from each rat was collected by cardiac puncture (under ketamine anesthesia) into separate lithium heparinized bottles and centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 15 min using a cold centrifuge (Centrium Scientific, model 8881) at − 4 °C. The plasma obtained was decanted into separate plain bottles using separate sterile syringes. The left kidney of each rat was excised and kept in a cooler for the preparation of homogenates while their right kidneys were fixed in 10% formal-saline solution for histological examination.
Assessment of kidney function biomarkers, total protein concentration and plasma nitric oxide level
The biomarkers of kidney function namely creatinine and urea were assayed using Randox standard laboratory kits (Randox, UK) according to the manufacturer's instructions. However, creatinine clearance was calculated using the formula below;
$$ \mathrm{Creatinine}\ \mathrm{clearance}\ \left(\mathrm{ml}/\min \right)=\frac{{\mathrm{U}}_{\mathbf{c}}\mathrm{V}}{{\mathrm{P}}_{\mathbf{c}}} $$
Where Uc = urine creatinine concentration;
V = urine flow rate = volume of urine/time; and.
Pc = plasma creatinine concentration.
The concentration of total protein was determined by the method of Lowry and co-workers [43] while nitric oxide level was determined by the method of Grisham and co-workers [44].
Note: For the conversion of S.I. units from dl/ml to mg/ml in the determination of urine total protein-creatinine ratio, the following system of conversion was used; [26].
$$ 1\ \mathrm{dl}=100\ \mathrm{g} $$
Determination of fractional excretion of urea (FEurea)
Fractional excretion of urea (FEurea) was determined using the formula below; [45].
$$ \mathrm{FEurea}\ \left(\%\right)=\frac{{\mathrm{U}}_{\mathrm{urea}}\times {\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{Cr}}}{{\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{urea}}\times {\mathrm{U}}_{\mathrm{Cr}}}\times 100 $$
Where Uurea = urea concentration in the urine; Purea = urea concentration in the plasma; UCr = creatinine concentration in the urine; and PCr = creatinine concentration in the plasma.
Assessment of oxidative stress status and lipid peroxidation
With the aid of an electric homogenizer (SI601001), 10% homogenate in phosphate buffer (100 mM) was prepared with the left kidney tissue at a pH of 7.4. Thereafter, the homogenate was centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 20 min and the supernatant was collected for the assessment of the following indices of oxidative stress;
Reduced glutathione (GSH) level was determined by the method of Beutler and co-workers [46], the activity of superoxide dismutase was determined by the method of McCord and Fridovich [47], catalase (CAT) activity was by the method of Sinha [48] while the level of thiobartiburic acid reactive substances (TBARS) was determined according to the method of Ohkawa and co-workers [49].
The right kidney of each rat was fixed in 10% formal-saline solution. Each kidney was thereafter dehydrated in graded alcohol and embedded in paraffin wax. Sections of about 7–8 μm thick were subjected to Haematoxylin and Eosin (H & E) staining technique for photomicrographic assessment using Leica DM 750 camera microscope at × 400 magnification.
Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and expressed as mean ± Standard Error of Mean. Thereafter, they were subjected to Newman Keul's post-hoc test and the level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Differences between two variables was assessed using student's t-test. The statistical analysis was carried out using graph pad prism 5.03 (Graph Pad Software Inc., CA, USA).
Percentage yield and phytochemical screening of AGE
The percentage yield of AGE was determined to be 69.47 ± 0.51% (n = 3) (Table 2) while phytochemical screening detected the presence of flavonoids, phenolics, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, tannins and saponin in the extract (Table 3).
Table 2 Percentage yield of AGE
Table 3 Qualitative and quantitative determination of phytochemicals in AGE
Total flavonoid content, total phenolic content, radical scavenging activity and oral lethal dose of AGE
The extract was observed to have high amount of total flavonoid and phenolic contents in gram per milligram of their respective standards (Table 4) while the radical scavenging capacity was observed to increase with increasing doses (Fig. 1). Oral lethal dose (LD50) of AGE was determined to be greater than 6000 mg/kg (Table 5).
Table 4 Total Phenolic and total flavonoid content of AGE
Radical scavenging activity of aqueous garlic extract (AGE) at different concentrations. Graph showing concentration-dependent radical scavenging activity of AGE (p < 0.0001; F = 650.85). Each value represents mean ± Standard Error of Mean (n = 3); RSA = radical scavenging activity; AGE = aqueous garlic extract; BHA = butylated hydroxyl anisole
Table 5 Acute oral toxicity test (LD50) of AGE
Effects of AGE on plasma and urine concentrations of creatinine, urea and total protein of Wistar rats with Pb-induced kidney injury
Pb administration was associated with a significant increase in the plasma creatinine concentration (mg/dl) of group 2 when compared with group 1 (p < 0.05). That of the AGE-treated groups 4, 5 and 6 were significantly lower when compared with groups 2 and 3, with no significant difference shown when compared with group 1. The urine creatinine levels of groups 2 and 3 were significantly lower than that of group 1. Groups 4, 5 and 6 showed a significantly higher level of urine creatinine when compared with group 1 (p < 0.05) (Table 6).
Table 6 Effects of AGE on plasma and urine concentrations of creatinine, urea and total protein in Wistar rats with Pb-induced kidney injury
There was a significant increase in plasma urea level (mg/dl) of groups 2 and 3 when compared with group 1 (p < 0.05). However, that of groups 4, 5 and 6 were not significantly different from group 1 (p > 0.05). On the other hand, the urine urea concentration of groups 2 and 3 were significantly lower than that of group 1 while no significant difference was recorded in that of AGE-treated groups 5 and 6 when compared with group 1 (Table 6).
The plasma total protein concentration [× 10− 2 (mg/ml)] was significantly lowered in groups 2 and 3 when compared with group 1 (p < 0.05). That of groups 4, 5 and 6 were significantly higher than groups 2 and 3 but showed no significant difference when compared with group 1. On the other hand, the urine total protein concentration of groups 2 and 3 was significantly higher than that of group 1 (p < 0.05). However, the AGE-treated groups 5 and 6 showed no significant difference in urine total protein level when compared with group 1 (Table 6).
Effects of AGE plasma and kidney nitric oxide (NO) concentration, creatinine clearance and fractional excretion of urea (FEurea) of Wistar rats with Pb-induced kidney injury
The plasma NO level (μM) was significantly lowered in groups 2 and 3 (0.39 ± 0.03 and 0.42 ± 0.03 respectively) when compared with group 1 (1.14 ± 0.04) (p < 0.05). The AGE-treated groups 4, 5 and 6 (0.94 ± 0.03; 1.12 ± 0.03 and 1.25 ± 0.02 respectively) showed significantly higher plasma NO level when compared with group 2 (0.39 ± 0.03) (p < 0.05) (Fig. 2).
Effects of AGE on plasma and kidney nitric oxide concentrations, creatinine clearance and fractional excretion of urea of Wistar rats with Pb-induced kidney injury. Each bar represents mean ± Standard Error of Mean (S.E.M.) at p < 0.05. a = significantly different from control group [1], b = significantly different from Pb group [2], c = significantly different from Pb + recovery group [3], d = significantly different from Pb + 100 mg/kg group [4], and e = significantly different from Pb + 200 mg/kg group [5]
The kidney NO level (μM) was significantly lowered in groups 2 and 3 (0.20 ± 0.01 and 0.24 ± 0.01 respectively) when compared with group 1 (0.80 ± 0.03) (p < 0.05). The AGE-treated groups 5 and 6 (0.76 ± 0.02 and 0.75 ± 0.02 respectively) were significantly higher than groups 2 and 3 (0.20 ± 0.01 and 0.24 ± 0.01 respectively) but showed no significant difference when compared with group 1 (0.80 ± 0.03) (p < 0.05) (Fig. 2).
Groups 2 and 3 (1.09 ± 0.05 and 1.13 ± 0.06 respectively) showed a significantly lowered creatinine clearance [× 10− 2 (ml/min)] when compared with group 1 (3.38 ± 0.22) (p < 0.05). However, the AGE-treated groups 5 and 6 (3.37 ± 0.12 and 3.55 ± 0.13 respectively) showed no significant difference in creatinine clearance when compared with group 1 (3.38 ± 0.22) (p > 0.05) but were significantly higher than groups 2 and 3 (1.09 ± 0.05 and 1.13 ± 0.06 respectively) (Fig. 2).
The fractional excretion of urea (%) was significantly lowered in groups 2 and 3 (19.62 ± 2.13 and 27.20 ± 1.80 respectively) when compared with group 1 (54.29 ± 1.00) (p < 0.05). Groups 5 and 6 (58.18 ± 1.91 and 59.57 ± 1.39 respectively), however, showed a significantly higher fractional excretion of urea when compared with group 1 (54.29 ± 1.00) (p < 0.05) (Fig. 2).
Effects of AGE on indicators of oxidative stress (GSH, SOD, CAT) and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) of Wistar rats with Pb-induced kidney injury
Kidney GSH level (μg/mg protein) was significantly lowered in groups 2 and 3 when compared with group 1 as well as the AGE-treated groups 4, 5 and 6 (p < 0.05). However, the AGE-treated groups 5 and 6 showed no significant difference in the GSH level when compared with group 1 (Table 7).
Table 7 Effects of AGE on kidney indicators of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in Wistar rats with Pb-induced kidney injury
Although the AGE-treated groups 4 and 5 showed a significantly lowered kidney SOD level (mM/mg protein) when compared with group 1 (p < 0.05), all AGE-treated groups 4, 5 and 6 showed a significantly higher SOD level when compared with groups 2 and 3 (p < 0.05). SOD level of groups 2 and 3 was significantly lower than group 1 (p < 0.05) (Table 7).
Groups 2 and 3 had a significantly lower kidney CAT level (μmol/min/mg protein) when compared with group 1 as well as the AGE-treated groups 4, 5 and 6 (p < 0.05). However, the AGE-treated groups 5 and 6 showed no significant difference in CAT level when compared with group 1 (p > 0.05) (Table 7).
Kidney TBARS level (nmol/mg protein) was significantly higher in groups 2 and 3 when compared with group 1 as well as the AGE-treated groups 4, 5 and 6 (p < 0.05). However, the AGE-treated groups 5 and 6 showed no significant difference in TBARS level when compared with group 1 (p > 0.05) (Table 7).
Effects of AGE on urine total protein-creatinine ratio of Wistar rats with Pb-induced kidney injury
Groups 2 and 3 (3.16 ± 0.07 and 3.18 ± 0.11 respectively) showed a significantly higher urine total protein-creatinine ratio (mg/g) when compared with group 1 (2.82 ± 0.04) and the AGE-treated groups 4, 5 and 6 (2.75 ± 0.16; 2.55 ± 0.04 and 2.33 ± 0.06 respectively) (p < 0.05). However, that of groups 4 and 5 (2.75 ± 0.16 and 2.55 ± 0.04 respectively) showed no significant difference when compared with group 1 (2.82 ± 0.04) (p > 0.05) while the AGE-treated group 6 (2.33 ± 0.06) had a significantly lower urine total protein-creatinine ratio when compared with group 1 (2.82 ± 0.04) (p < 0.05) (Fig. 3).
Effects of AGE on urine total protein – creatinine ratio of Wistar rats with Pb-induced kidney injury. Each bar represents mean ± Standard Error of Mean (S.E.M.) at p < 0.05. a = significantly different from control group [1], b = significantly different from Pb group [2], c = significantly different from Pb + recovery group [3], and d = significantly different from Pb + 100 mg/kg group [4]
Histological effects of AGE on the kidney of Wistar rats with Pb-induced kidney injury
Pb administration was associated with histoarchitectural distortion that was characterized by atrophied and shrunken glomerulus as well as tubular and interstitial vacuolation in groups 2. Also, the recovery group 3 showed evidence of sustained kidney histoarchitectural distortion with apparent vacuolation of renal tubules and medullary interstitium. Although representative micrograph of the AGE-treated group 4 showed evidence of atrophied glomerulus with mild tubular vacuolation, those of groups 5 and 6 had similar features with the micrographic evidence of group 1 which was characterized by an apparently normal glomerulus, renal tubules (proximal and distal) and apparently intact interstitium (Fig. 4).
Histological effects of AGE on the kidney of Wistar rats with Pb-induced kidney injury. Magnification = × 400; [1] to [6] = groups 1 to 6; AGE = aqueous garlic extract; Pb = Lead; G = glomerulus; P = proximal tubule; D = distal tubule; Black arrow = atrophied glomerulus; Red arrow = tubular and interstitial vacuolation
The study demonstrated the therapeutic effects of aqueous garlic extract (AGE) on the renal function of Wistar rats with Pb-induced kidney injury. Worthy of note is the fact that preparation of the crude extract was without application of heat (direct lyophilizing of filtrate) in order to preserve any possible heat-labile constituent in the extract.
Abnormal levels of plasma and urine biomarkers of renal function that were associated with Pb administration, as shown in this study, are clear indications that this heavy metal (Pb) induces both glomerular and tubular defects. This fact was well corroborated by the representative micrographic evidence which showed glomerular defects with tubular and interstitial vacuolation. Deleterious effects on the kidney's filtering ability are usually associated with a significant increase in plasma levels of renal function biomarkers, hence the determination of renal clearance is essential for the assessment of glomerular filtration rate [50, 51]. This study showed that renal clearance was significantly reduced following Pb administration, with a consequent increase in the plasma level of creatinine and urea as well as significantly lowered urinary excretion of these renal function biomarkers. This study, therefore, suggests that AGE has the potential to ameliorate Pb-induced kidney injury via modulation of glomerular and renal tubular activities in order to bring about normalization of renal clearance. These effects were, however, enhanced by AGE-induced increase in renal perfusion via increased secretion of vasodilatory chemokine(s) (NO); facts that were demonstrated in this study by the increased levels of NO and fractional excretion of urea (FEurea). While increased vasodilatory effect of AGE was characterized by increased plasma and kidney NO level, the AGE-induced increase in renal perfusion was corroborated by a significant increase in FEurea following Pb administration. According to literature, NO is a potent vasodilator that has been reported to be essential for normal kidney function due to its vital role in renal mechanisms including renin release, extracellular fluid regulation, tubulo-glomerular feedback as well as regulation of glomerular and medullary hemodynamics [52, 53] while reduced FEurea level is a reflection of pre-renal effects as a result of reduced renal perfusion [54, 55].
Furthermore, the Pb-induced reduction in renal perfusion was associated with derangements of the antioxidant system as demonstrated by kidney activities of GSH, SOD, CAT as well as deleterious TBARS level (an index of lipid peroxidation). This suggests a possible renal ischemia reperfusion injury. Basically, ischemia reperfusion injury refers to cell injury or damage that results from the return of blood supply after a period of inadequate blood supply to any part of the body (ischemia) [56]. Chen and co-workers [57] reported that reperfusion injury induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation as a result of injury or damage to mitochondrial complexes. Since the kidney has capacity to auto regulate itself; maintaining a fairly constant blood supply despite fluctuations in arterial supply [1], it can be inferred that the observed significantly lowered circulating NO level must have coincided with compromised auto regulation capacity by the kidney of the Pb-treated group for renal ischemia reperfusion injury to have occurred. The findings of this study suggests that Pb administration elicits deleterious effects on the renal antioxidant system through renal ischemia reperfusion injury. This mechanism apparently produced a secondary deleterious effect on renal clearance, as representative micrographic evidence showed Pb-induced kidney histoarchitectural distortions that were characterized by atrophied glomerulus as well as tubular and interstitial vacuolation. It has been reported that the basic mechanism of Pb-induced deleterious biological effects is disruption of the antioxidant system via ROS generation [9]. The significantly lowered endogenous antioxidants following Pb administration can be attributed to the increased usage of these antioxidants by the kidney to scavenge free radicals (ROS) and or reduced capacity of the renal system to replenish the used-up antioxidants in a corresponding rate at which they are being utilized. As predetermined in this study, AGE demonstrated a concentration-dependent free radical scavenging capacity (Fig. 1); making it an extract with potent antioxidant capacity with increasing doses. The administration of AGE was found to be associated with normalization of renal clearance via improved antioxidant system and significantly lowered kidney lipid peroxidation. Apparently, this presents the extract as a potential therapeutic choice in the adjuvant treatment or management of patients with renal oxidative stress that is associated with renal ischemia reperfusion injury. The pharmacological activities of the extract, as demonstrated by vasodilatory and antioxidant-boosting potentials were conferred by its important phytochemicals such as flavonoids, phenolics alkaloids and tannins (Table 3). According to literature, these phytochemicals are reputed to demonstrate anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and membrane-stabilizing properties both invivo and invitro [58,59,60].
Pb administration was associated with reduced plasma total protein concentration and a significantly higher urine total protein excretion when compared with the control. It is not unlikely that the decreased plasma total protein concentration may be a direct consequence of increased urine total protein excretion; since representative micrographic evidence showed apparently compromised glomerular filtration barrier. Nevertheless, this study demonstrated that Pb-induced kidney injury elicits decreased protein synthesis (by the liver) into the circulation and or increased urinary excretion of total protein. Although, under apparently normal condition, Wistar rats excrete protein in their urine [26, 61, 62], proteinuria was showed to be significantly higher in the toxic group following exposure to Pb toxicity when compared with the control. According to literature, minimal change nephropathy has been found to be associated with loss of negative charges that are normally present in the glomerular capillary basement membrane [63]. Basically, the physiologic relevance of the negatively charged basement membrane is to repel the negatively charged plasma proteins since like-charge repels [63]. Subject to further verification, it can be inferred that Pb toxicity enhances the rapid or increased loss of normal negative charges in the basement membrane since this loss is usually associated with the unhindered passage of plasma protein through the glomerular membrane into the urine. Besides the loss of negative charge, Imafidon and co-workers [26] reported that changes in renal histomorphometry (Bowman's capsular space, thickness and size of the glomerulus and Bowman's capsule as well as the endothelia fenestrae of the glomerular capillaries) reflects the capacity to express proteinuria in a relationship that is directly proportional; that is, increased size of these features is directly proportional to increased capacity to express proteinuria. Apparently, this translates to increased urine excretion of total protein due to defect(s) of the glomerular filtration barrier; apparently lager Bowman's capsular space. The representative micrographic evidence of the AGE-treated groups showed apparently improved or normal kidney histoarchitecture when compared with both the control and toxic groups, suggesting that the extract potentially stabilizes the glomerular filtration barrier via normalization of electric charges of the basement membrane as well as histological strengthening of the filtration barrier integrity to repel plasma protein. These pharmacological effects demonstrate that the extract possesses potential stabilizing effects on the glomerular filtration barrier as its administration was associated with mitigation of the Pb-induced proteinuria; a finding that is worthy of further scientific exploration. In clinical models of kidney injury, a significantly increased urine total protein – creatinine ratio is an indication of a compromised renal function [64, 65]. Furthermore, the urine total protein – creatinine ratio trends with the level of proteinuria and allows for an effective monitoring of the progression of renal condition [65,66,67]. AGE administration significantly mitigated the Pb-induced increase in urine total protein–creatinine ratio. This portrays the extract as a potential choice in the adjuvant treatment or management of nephropathies that are associated with proteinuria. Since Pb is a toxicant with a potential to bio-accumulate [10, 12], it may be inferred that a vital mechanism for the ameliorating effect of the extract is the inhibition of Pb bioaccumulation via increased (urinary) excretion from the body. This is, however, subject to further scientific verification as this study did not include urinary Pb quantification to its scope.
Based on the findings of this study, a mechanistic view of Pb-induced kidney injury and the ameliorating effects of AGE have been summarized in Fig. 5.
Apparent mechanism of Pb-induced kidney injury and the effects of AGE on the mechanism of action. + = positive feedback mechanism; Pb = lead acetate; AGE = aqueous garlic extract; NO = nitric oxide; FEurea = fractional excretion of urea
Although this study does not indicate a clear-cut dose-dependent renal effects of aqueous garlic extract, it however demonstrates that the therapeutic effects of the extract (on Pb-induced kidney injury) increases with increasing doses. Additionally, at 400 mg/kg (the adopted highest dose for this study based on a pre-determined oral LD50 > 6000 mg/kg) the extract produced therapeutic effects on the renal function of Wistar rats. This implies that in an average human of 75 kg body weight, sub-chronic ingestion of the extract up to 30 g daily may be sufficient to produce therapeutic effects in conditions of Pb-induced kidney injury. This is, however, subject to further scientific verification and human trials.
In order to reduce the risk of sustained/irreversible kidney injury or the progression of renal dysfunction to end stage renal damage, it is recommended that Pb-exposed subjects should resort to prompt and efficacious treatment or management therapy as recovery period without any form of treatment was shown, by this study, to sustain renal dysfunction. Based on the findings of this study, the consumption of garlic (to be used as spice in food or consumed raw) should be encouraged as it promotes healthy status through its beneficial biological effects. Further verification on the effects of the extract in surgically-induced renal ischemia reperfusion injury is also recommended. Although this study provides a template for further scientific exploration of effects of AGE on the glomerular filtration barrier, novel studies that takes into account the assessment or quantification of the negative charges on the glomerular basement membrane, special staining techniques for the assessment of the filtration membranes as well as novel appraisal of the glomerular filtration barrier using electron microscopy are highly recommended in this scope of research on environmental toxicology and pharmacology.
It was concluded that aqueous garlic extract normalized renal clearance through vasodilatory and antioxidant mechanisms as well as caused the mitigation of proteinuria through stabilizing effects on the glomerular filtration barrier in Wistar rats with Pb-induced kidney injury.
Aqueous garlic extract
CAT:
Catalase
DPPH:
1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazy
FEurea:
Fractional excretion of urea
I.P.:
Intraperitoneal
LD50 :
NIH:
OAU:
Pb:
ROS:
RPM:
TBARS:
Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances
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The authors acknowledge members of staff of Professor Obuotor's Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife and the Central Technological Laboratory and Workshops (CTLW), OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria for their kind support and technical assistance.
The authors received no form of funding support to carry out this research. The total cost of completing the research work was saddled by the authors.
Renal Research Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical and Health Sciences, Bowen University Iwo, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria
Christian Eseigbe Imafidon
Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
Christian Eseigbe Imafidon, Rufus Ojo Akomolafe & Isiaka Ayofe Adekunle
Department of Medical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
Omotayo Alaba Eluwole
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
Ruby Adebusola Agbaje
Rufus Ojo Akomolafe
Isiaka Ayofe Adekunle
ICE conceptualized the study. ICE, EOA and AIA were responsible for funding acquisition. ARO supervised and proof-read the manuscript for intellectual content. ARA and ICE carried out the biochemical analyses. All authors conducted the research, are responsible for data analyses, improvement of intellectual content and approval of final manuscript.
Correspondence to Christian Eseigbe Imafidon.
This study was approved by Health Research Ethic Committee (HREC) of the Institute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo, University, Ile-Ife, Osun state, Nigeria.
The authors declare that there are no competing interests regarding the publication of this paper.
Imafidon, C.E., Akomolafe, R.O., Eluwole, O.A. et al. Aqueous garlic extract improves renal clearance via vasodilatory/antioxidant mechanisms and mitigated proteinuria via stabilization of glomerular filtration barrier. Clin Phytosci 5, 27 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40816-019-0118-y
Received: 29 April 2019
Renal clearance


text:
World's Oldest Brewery Discovered
Earlier this week, archaeologists uncovered what could well be the world's oldest known brewery. The excavation site was located in Israel and could date back as far back as 13,000 years ago. The site, called the Raqefet Cave was used as a burial site by the Natufians, a group of semi-nomadic people who were also responsible for the world's oldest known bread. The bread was discovered in Jordan earlier this year.
Beer was believed to be just a by-product of making bread, but archaeologists say that that is not always the case. Researchers believe that beer may also have been served during rituals and feasts to venerate the dead or enhance social relationships. The research about the beer was published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports.
"We did not set out to find alcohol in the stone mortars, but just wanted to investigate what plant foods people may have consumed because very little data was available in the archaeological record," said Li Liu, a professor of Chinese archaeology at Stanford. The research also theorizes that beer brewing could have inspired the Natifians to cultivate cereals. But it is still not known whether the beer or the bread came first.
The mortars that were dug into the cave floor were reportedly used for storing and pounding wheat and barley, as well as brewing beer. The beer at the time would be completely different from the beer we know today. Not only would their brew be significantly weaker in alcohol content, but it would have a different consistency. It would have gruel-like consistency similar to porridge or oatmeal.


text:
Kavaljer, ursprungligen från latinets caballarius ("hästskötare", i medeltidslatinet senare med betydelsen 'riddare'), av latinets caballus ("häst"). Numera används det mest i betydelsen manligt (bords)sällskap till någon, eller en manlig danspartner.
Den kvinnliga motsvarigheten till kavaljer är i vardagligt tal bordsdam.

Till svenska från italienskans cavaliere, spanskans caballero, engelskans cavalier och franskans chevalier i betydelsen ryttare. När ryttaren kom att identifieras med riddare eller adel blev ordet senare synonymt med adelsman. Senare fick kavaljer betydelsen hovman i Sverige, alltså en person vid hovet.

I äldre svenska, kan kavaljer också avse en manlig individ som uppträder mycket förnämt, är välklädd, utmärker sig genom ett belevat och fint sätt och med framgång deltager i sällskapslivet; i synnerhet förr ofta liktydigt med sprätt. Ordet kunde också användas om en person tillhörande de högre samhällsklasserna som i avsaknad av fast sysselsättning, arbetslust  eller pengar levde såsom gäst och sällskap på herrgårdar (i synnerhet i Värmland).

Kavaljererna på Ekeby och Huseby
I Selma Lagerlöfs Gösta Berlings saga spelar "kavaljererna" på Ekeby en central roll i handlingen.

Uttrycket användes senare i samband med Husebyaffären om de affärsmän med Berl Gutenberg och prins Carl i spetsen som plundrade godset.

Se även
Kavaljerer, anhängare av Karl I av England under 1600-talet

Källor

Dans
Hovfolk

de:Kavalier
en:Cavalier (disambiguation)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text: Q: (Non Root)How to disable notification bar for all installed applications on android 5.1 and above? I am creating a parental control application and i want to disable notification bar. I managed to disable notification bar for my application but how do i disable notification bar when i launch other installed application for example, default browser, contacts, calculator etc from my application?