May 2009
Roles of plant soluble sugars and their responses to plant cold stress
Plants can enhance freezing tolerance by gradual exposure to low temperature known as cold acclimation. Soluble sugars have been confirmed to play an important role during the process. This is based on the fact they are most commonly detected in various species of terrestrial plants that have undergone seasonal cold acclimation. Soluble sugars exert their positive effects to protect plant cells from damage...
May 2009
Influence of the methanolic extract from Abutilon indicum leaves in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
The methanolic leaf extract of Abutilon indicum (AI) was investigated for hypoglycemic effect in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The chemical screening of the extract showed that phenolic compounds and flavonoid contents were 1.04 ± 0.01 mg/g and 59.92 ± 3.88 μg/g extract, respectively. A single oral administration of the extract at a dose of 500 mg/kg...
May 2009
Toxicological evaluation of aqueous extracts of Hermannia incana Cav. leaves in male Wistar rats
The effects of the administration of aqueous extract of Hermannia incana Cav. leaves at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight for 14 days on some biochemical parameters of male rats were investigated. Extract administration did not produce any significant effect on the liver and kidney body weight ratios, red blood cell, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean...
May 2009
Detection of Bacteroides forsythus and Porphyromonas gingivalis in infected root canals during periapical periodontitis by 16S rDNA
Periapical periodontitis is termed when inflammation of the periodontium is caused by irritants of endodontic origin. Bacterial strains in the root canals were not easy to be identified by the traditional agar culture. In this study a 16S rDNA-based polymerase chain reaction detection method was used to determine the occurrence of Bacteroides forsythus and Porphyromonas...
May 2009
Construction of full-length cDNA library of white flower Salvia miltiorrhiza bge f.alba root and partial EST sequence analysis
In order to screen and isolate secondary metabolite biosynthesis related gene, we construct a cDNA library of white flower Salvia miltiorrhiza bge. f.alba. High quality of total RNA was successfully isolated from roots of white flower S. miltiorrhizausing modified CTAB method. Double strand cDNA was cloned into pDNR-LIBvector. The number of clones, recombinant rate and length of insert...
May 2009
Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of the aqueous extract of Hippobromus pauciflorus (L.f) Radlk leaves in male Wistar rats
The aqueous extract of Hippobromus pauciflorus (L.f) Radlk leaves at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight were evaluated for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities in male rats. Anti-inflammatory activity was studied by using carrageenan and histamine induced oedema right hind paw volume while the analgesic effect was evaluated using formalin-induced pain and tail flick nociception...
May 2009
Investigation of monocrotophos toxic effects on human lymphocytes at cytogenetic level
The genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of monocrotophos, an organophosphate insecticide, was investi-gated on human lymphocytes cultured in vitro. Utilizing the trypan blue dye exclusion technique assay the IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) of monocrotophos was found to be 16 μM. Based on IC50 value, monocrotophos was found to be highly toxic to lymphocyte culture. Chromosomal aberrations...
May 2009
In vitro trypanocidal effect of methanolic extract of Sclerocarya birrea, Commiphora kerstingii and Khaya senegalensis
The anti-trypanosomal activity of methanolic extract of Sclerocarya birrea, Commiphora kerstingii and Khaya senegalensis were evaluated against Trypanosoma brucei brucei in vitro at concentrations of 2 and 4 mg/ml. Susceptibility of the organism was determined in culture medium containing 5% dextrose and 0.9% saline solution alone as control and 2 and 4 mg/ml of these plants extracts in...
May 2009
Estimation of genetic diversity in rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes using SSR markers and morphological characters
Thirty rice genotypes comprising land races, pure lines, somaclones, breeding lines and varieties specifically adapted to costal saline environments were characterized by SSR markers and morphological characters in this study. Out of 35 primers of SSR markers, 28 were found to be polymorphic. The PIC value ranged from 0.064 (RM 274) to 0.72 (RM 580) with an average of 0.46. The Jaccard’s similarity...
May 2009
A RAMP marker linked to the tobacco black shank resistant gene
Bulk segregant analysis (BSA) and randomly amplified microsatellite polymorphism (RAMP) were employed to analyze F2 individuals of the Yunyan 317×Hubei 517 to screen and characterize molecular markers linked to black shank resistant gene. A total of 800 arbitrary decamer oligonucleotide primer-pairs were used for RAMP analysis. Primer pair GT (CA) 4/S89, producing one RAMP...
May 2009
Genetic characterization of the nine medicinal Dendrobium species using RAPD
The nine species of Dendrobium were distinguished from each other by the banding pattern generated by the sixteen 10-mer oligonucleotide primers in the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) reaction. Distinctive bands generated from the nine species were observed. RAPD analysis was also applied to estimate the genetic relationship among the nine species. A dendrogram was constructed based on a...
May 2009
Analysis of three genetic polymorphisms in Malaysian essential hypertensive and type 2 diabetic subjects
Genetic polymorphisms were associated with an increase in the risk of developing disease and they are integral to the development of genetic marker to identify the individuals at risk. The genotypic distribution of various genetic polymorphisms involved in essential hypertension (EHT) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Malaysian subjects has not been well characterized. The main objective of this study...
May 2009
Analysis of genetic variation among accessions of critically endangered Rhaponticoides iconiensis and Rhaponticoides mykalea based on RAPD and SDS-PAGE markers
Rhaponticoides iconiensis (Hub.-Mor.) M.V.Agab and Greuter is a rare and endangered endemic species of the Konya region of Turkey. One related taxon,Rhaponticoides mykalea (Hub.-Mor.) M.V.Agab and Greuter, is morphologically similar but occurs in different geographical locations. This study has been conducted on the biology of this threatened plant in order to understand better the factors...
May 2009
Genetic characterization of two Sudanese goat breeds (Capra hircus) using RAPD molecular markers
Seven primers of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) were selected to study the genetic variations among 14 individuals of goat (Capra hircus) from two domestic Sudanese goat breeds (Nilotic and Nubian). The test generated 59 entirely repeatable RAPD fragment bands and the statistical analysis showed 55 polymorphic bands among the 14 individuals. The genetic distances among the population range from 8...
May 2009
A review of geographical distribution of marama bean [Tylosema esculentum (Burchell) Schreiber] and genetic diversity in the Namibian germplasm
Marama bean [Tylosema esculentum (Burchell) Schreiber] occurs naturally in the drier areas of Southern Africa, including Botswana and Namibia. The implementation of molecular breeding is important to advance the process of securing the world’s food supply. The development of molecular markers is vital for mapping important traits that can then be followed in subsequent breeding programs. This study...
May 2009
Identification of rice hybrids using microsatellite and RAPD markers
Having produced a series of hybrid rice varieties especially the first Iranian hybrid rice (IRH1), fingerprinting and genetic purity determination of hybrid seeds were conducted using microsatellite (SSR) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Sixteen rice genotypes including 3 cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines, 5 restorer lines and their 8 hybrid combinations were used in this study. Ten out...
May 2009
Using microsatellite (SSR) and morphological markers to assess the genetic diversity of 12 falcata (Medicago sativa spp. falcata) populations from Eurasia
Falcata (Medicago sativa spp. falcata L.), with its high resistance to cold weather, drought and disease, plays an important role in alfalfa breeding. The aim of this study was to assess the genetic diversity of the 12 falcata populations in Eurasia using SSR markers and morphological traits. Regressions for genetic distance, phenotypic distance and geographic distance were also computed to...
May 2009
Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A of wheat: Identification, phylogeny and expression
In the present study, we report on the characterization of a full-length cDNA clone (TaeIF5A-1) and as well as two genomic sequences (TaeIF5A-2 and TaeIF5A-3)encoding eIF5A in wheat (Triticum aestivum). In addition, 9 partial DNA sequences of eIF5A gene were also isolated from different species of triticeae tribe. Phylogenetic analysis of eIF5A coding genes in general...
May 2009
Preliminary characterization of a death-related gene in silkworm Bombyx mori
In order to study the mechanism of programmed cell death (PCD) in silkwormBombyx mori, we employed suppressive subtractive hybridization to screen associated genes. In this study, a novel gene was isolated from B. mori, which may be involved in PCD as analyzed by bioinformatics and it was named as DRP (death-related protein) gene. RT-PCR analysis showed and prokaryotic expression. Through RT-PCR analysis...
May 2009
A model for mapping of Ebola and Marburg RNA integration sites in rhesus Macaca mulatta genome in silico: Ebola virus acceptors sites located on chromosomes 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14 and 15
Viral integration into the host genetic material is necessary for replication and survival, since viruses are obligate intracellular organisms. Understanding of the exact loci of integration may thus provide targets for future therapeutic and vaccine strategies, pathogenesis elucidation, as well as a model for the evolutionary trends of successful viral cross over. Although the exact natural reservoir for the...
May 2009
The influence of exogenously applied 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on fruit drop and quality of navel oranges (Citrus sinensis L.)
Orchard experiments were carried out in Botswana with the objective of evaluating the effect of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on reducing premature fruit drop. Different concentration levels of the 2,4-D (8, 16 and 20 mg/L were applied exogenously to mature fruit trees of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L.) in the 2004/2005 season. In the 2005/2006 season the 2,4-D treatments ranged from 20 to 40...
May 2009
Effects of different irrigation intervals and fertilizer applications on certain chemical contents of ‘Braeburn’ apple cultivar
The aim of present study was to investigate effects of different irrigation intervals and fertilizers on total lipid, fatty acid and sugar accumulation of Braeburn apple cultivar under Mediterranean climatic conditions. Irrigation program was performed for two consecutive years with three different intervals (1, 3 and 7 days). In fertilization, 40 g N, 32 g P2O5 and 80 g K2O per tree (with four...
May 2009
Transient expression of b-glucuronidase reporter gene in Agrobacterium-inoculated shoots of various teak clones
Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 carrying the pBI.121 binary plasmid was used in transformation to introduce the gus (ß-glucuronidase/GUS) gene into teak shoot-tissues. In vitro regenerated shoots from various teak clones, i.e. the ITB, GT, P97, P96, P75, P20, and P108 clones were vacuum-infiltrated for 5 min in the suspension culture of A. tumefaciens. Seven days...
May 2009
Effects of whey on the colonization and sporulation of arbuscular mycorhizal fungus, Glomus intraradices, in lentil (Lens orientalis)
The aim of this study is to research the effect of 2 different doses of whey [50 ml kg-1(W50) and 100 ml kg-1(W100)], an important organic waste, on colonization and sporulation of arbuscular mycorhizal fungus (AMF) Glomus intraradices’(G.i.) inoculated to lentil plant and the effects of changing P ratio in the soil and plant as a result of whey application, changing salt, pH and CaCO3 values...
May 2009
Intraspecific variability of dihydrochalcone, chromenes and benzoic acid derivatives in leaves of Piper aduncum L. (Piperaceae)
Chemical analysis carried out in leaves of 18 specimens of Piper aduncum L. (Piperaceae) occurring at Ripasa Reserve, Araraquara, SP, Brazil indicated two distinct populations when investigated over a period of 14 months (January 2000 to February 2001) and then submitted to cluster analysis. The two groups were characterized by accumulation of prenylated benzoic acids, chromenes and dihydrochalcone,...
May 2009
Taxonomic studies of nodulated leguminous weeds from the flora of North Western part (Dera Ismail Khan) of Pakistan
An extensive survey was carried out during 2005 - 2007 to investigate nodulated leguminous weed species which grow in agricultural and non-agricultural fields of North Western part (Dera Ismail Khan) of Pakistan. Studies revealed that 18 such weed species belonging to 10 genera are commonly found in the research area. The genera with number of species are: Alhaji ( 1...
May 2009
Characterization of Kenyan sweet potato genotypes for SPVD resistance and high dry matter content using simple sequence repeat markers
Simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to characterize Kenyan sweet potato genotypes for resistance to the sweet potato virus disease (SPVD) and high dry matter content. Eighty nine (89) genotypes with a mean symptom severity score of between 1 and 1.5 were selected following graft inoculation with SPVD-infected scions and characterized using 6 SSR primers. The 6 SSR primer pairs had an average...
May 2009
Use of phosphorus to alleviate stress induced by cadmium and zinc in two submerged macrophytes
The potential mechanism by which P antagonizes the toxicity of Zn and Cd was investigated in Elodea nuttallii and Hydrilla verticillata to understand the interactions between P, Cd and Zn pollutants. The two submerged macrophytes were treated with a combination of Cd (0.25 mg L-1) and Zn (1.0 mg L-1) and various concentrations of P (0, 0.05 and 5 mg L-1) for different exposure...
May 2009
Cumulative effects of white clover residues on the changes in soil properties, nutrient uptake, growth and yield of maize crop in the sub-humid hilly region of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
White clover grows naturally all over the Himalayan regions including the hilly areas of the state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Pakistan. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of white clover residues alone or in combination with phosphorus (P) fertilizer on maize (Zea mays L.) yield, nutrient uptake and soil properties in the hilly area of AJK. Local ecotype of white clover was...
May 2009
Effects of intrapopulation competition on morphological and agronomic characters of Jute plant (Corchorus olitorius L.)
The effects of population density on some agronomic traits of Corchorus olitoriuswere investigated by growing the seedlings in a field experiment at densities of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 plants per m2 during the raining season of 2006, at the Ojo campus of Lagos State University (LASU), Nigeria. The randomized block design (RBD) was the experimental design used, with three replicates. The direct...
May 2009
Rapid detection of Ganoderma lucidum and assessment of inhibition effect of various control measures by immunoassay and PCR
Molecular and immunological methods have been applied for detecting theGanoderma disease of coconut. Polyclonal antibodies (PAbs) raised against basidiocarp protein of Ganoderma were used for detection. For polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, the primer generated from the internal transcribed spacer region one (ITS 1) of ribosomal DNA gene of Ganoderma, which produced a PCR product of...
May 2009
Regeneration of plantlets from leaf and internode explants of Phyllanthus amarus Schum. and Thonn.
A procedure is outlined for indirect organogenesis of Phyllanthus amarus using leaf bits and internodes. Profuse callusing of leaf discs and internodes were obtained on Murashige and Skoog’s basal medium supplemented with NAA and 2,4-D. The callus thus obtained was repeatedly sub-cultured at 3 weekly intervals for four cycles. High frequency of callus proliferation was obtained when the callus...
May 2009
Sorption of lead from aqueous solutions by spent tea leaf
An adsorbent was prepared using spent tea leaf and was used to remove lead (Pb) from solution. The Pb removal by the spent tea leaf adsorbent depended on pretreatment of spent tea leaf, adsorption contact time and adsorbent dosage. The optimum pretreatment conditions were confirmed to be that tea leaf was ground to0.28-0.45 mm in diameter and then drenched in 0.3 M NaOH for 12 h. Adsorption kinetic study...
May 2009
Isolation and molecular genetic characterization of a yeast strain able to degrade petroleum polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) belong to a class of toxic environmental pollutants and PAH exposure causes public health risks and raises environmental concerns. Identification of the key microorganisms that play a role in pollutant degradation processes is relevant to the development of optimal in situbioremediation strategies. In the current study, three yeast strains were isolated from...
May 2009
Characterization and evaluation of stress and heavy metal tolerance of some predominant Gram negative halotolerant bacteria from mangrove soils of Bhitarkanika, Orissa, India
In the present study both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria were isolated using enrichment media from five different stations from mangroves soils of Bhitarkanika, Orissa, India. Among the bacterial populations studied, the Gram negative bacterial population was found to be more in all the stations. Out of several Gram negative bacterial isolates, six predominant and morphologically distinct isolates...
May 2009
Influence of ventilation and media on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tuberization and its growth characteristics
Considering the most suitable relationship between ventilation and media in this study, two mixtures of perlite and coir (3:1, light and 1:3, heavy v/v) were applied to determine the growth characteristics var. Sante of potato plantlets. As potato has high potential in minituber production, different levels of supplemental aeration (0, 12.5, 25 and 75%, v/v/min) were compared for providing...
May 2009
Impact of urban wastewaters on the diversity and abundance of the fish population of Ogba River in Benin City, Nigeria
The effects of urban wastewaters on the diversity and abundance of the fish population of Ogba River in Benin City, Nigeria were assessed and monitored at 5 sample stations between November 2007 and October 2008. The physico-chemical properties of the water were also monitored during the period. A total of 486 individual fishes made up of 26 different species were recorded, with Clarias...
May 2009
Kinetic analysis of nitric oxide reduction using biogas as reburning fuel
Biogas was suggested more suitable as reburning fuel to reduce NO emission and Miller-Bowan’s mechanism was performed to analyze the effect of reaction environment in the process of biogas reburning. Results show that the NO reduction efficiency increased with the increase of hydrocarbon in biogas, reburning fuel ratio, initial NO concentration and residence time. When initial NO concentration reached...
May 2009
Assessment of technology generating institutions in biotechnology innovation system of South-Eastern Nigeria
The study was carried out in Southeastern agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. Questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of forty-three heads of departments from research institutes and universities involved in biotechnology research. Results of the study revealed that some of the institutions have been involved in biotechnology research for the past two decades but have only significantly invested on...
May 2009
Dispersal distance of rice (Oryza Sativa L.) pollen at the Tana River delta in the coast province, Kenya
Rice is a staple food in Kenya and its production needs to be increased. Genetically modified (GM) rice may be a solution, but before it can be introduced, potential ecological impacts, such as pollen mediated gene flow from GM rice to non-GM rice or to its wild indigenous relatives, need to be understood. Pollen dispersal in rice (Oryza sativa) was studied in the Tana River district in the coast province of...
May 2009
Lack of correlation between H2O2 production and in vitro anti-staphyloccocal activity of vaginal Lactobacillus spp.
Lactobacilli are considered to play important roles in human health as they are known to secrete inhibitory substances to prevent infection by pathogenic organisms. Previously we have isolated 77 strains of Lactobacillus spp. from human vaginas. In this study, using the plate diffusion method, strains showing in vitro antagonistic activity against pathogenic Staphylococcus...
May 2009
Microbial biocatalytic preparation of 2-furoic acid by oxidation of 2-furfuryl alcohol and 2-furanaldehyde with Nocardia corallina
The preparation of 2-furoic acid via oxidation of 2-furfuryl alcohol and 2-furanaldehyde was studied by two procedures using whole cells of Nocardiacorallina B-276. We describe a comparison using a batch cultivation (3-L) versus resting cells in potassium phosphate buffer (0.1 M, pH 7.0). In the 3-L bioreactor, 2-furfuryl alcohol (1.35 g/L) was biotransformed after 24 h, to the acid with 81% yield....
May 2009
Mycelial growth interactions and mannan-degrading enzyme activities from fungal mixed cultures grown on palm kernel cake
Palm kernel cake (PKC), a by-product of the palm kernel oil extraction process contains mannan as its main polysaccharide. Mixed culture microbial degradation may enhance mannan-degrading enzymes production. Therefore, the objective of the study was to examine the nature of mycelial interactions and corresponding production of mannan-degrading enzymes of PKC. Fungal interactions was carried out...
May 2009
Antitumor and antimicrobial activities and inhibition of in-vitro lipid peroxidation by Dendrobium nobile
The aim of the study was to determine the antitumor and antimicrobial activities as well as the inhibition of in vitro lipid peroxidation evoked by Dendrobium nobile. Antimicrobial activity of different solvent extracts of flowers and stem of D. nobileagainst Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus were analyzed separately. The...
May 2009
A primary study on texture modification and proteolysis of mao-tofu during fermentation
A strain of Mucor was isolated from mao-tofu, a local fermented soybean product in central China, and used in this study to evaluate its role on texture modification and proteolysis of mao-tofu. Texture and microstructure of mao-tofu was monitored by texture analyzer and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Proteolysis occurredduring fermentation was evaluated by SDS-PAGE and chemical analysis....
May 2009
Antioxidant tannins from Syzygium cumini fruit
Hydrolysable and condensed tannins in the fruit of Syzygium cumini were identified using NMR, MALDI-TOF MS and HPLC analyses. Hydrolysable tannins were identified as ellagitannins, consisting of a glucose core surrounded by gallic acid and ellagic acid units. Condensed tannins were identified as B-type oligomers of epiafzelechin (propelargonidin) with a degree of polymerization up to...
May 2009
Evaluation of the pasting and some functional properties of starch isolated from some improved cassava varieties in Nigeria
Improved cassava of 13 cultivars (NR01/004, NR01/0161, NR01/0071, CR14A-1, CR.41 – 10, AR38 – 3, TMS01/0040, TMS01/1086, TMS00/0210, TMS00/0203, TMS00/0214, TMS30572CK and Local best (CK) were converted into starch and analysed for some functional and pasting properties. Variations were observed in the functional properties of the starch samples; water absorption capacity ranged from 59.75 –...
May 2009
Antimicrobial properties of three spices used in the preparation of suya condiment against organisms isolated from formulated samples and individual ingredients
The effects of Eugenia aromatica (clove), Allium sativum (garlic) and Piper guineense (brown pepper), three spices commonly used in south-western Nigeria, added to growth media at different concentrations were studied with respect to their inhibitory activity against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus enterobactersp., Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus...
May 2009
Assessment of nutritional values of three underutilized indigenous leafy vegetables of Ebonyi State, Nigeria
The nutritional values of three underutilized indigenous leafy vegetables of Izzi land in Ebonyi State of Nigeria; Zanthoxylum zanthoyloides Herms, Vitex doniana Sweetand Adenia cissamploides Zepernick, were investigated. Their proximate and mineral values (Ca, P, Na, Mg, Zn, K, Fe, Cu, Pb) were determined. Results of the proximate analysis showed their moisture contents to be...
May 2009
Effect of drying methods on the rheological characteristics and colour of yam flours
The effect of drying methods (sun and oven-drying) on the rheological properties and colour of amala, a thick paste from yam flour, was investigated using two varieties of yam (Dioscorea rotundata and Dioscorea alata). The yam flour produced was later reconstituted to produce amala of different pasting characteristics, textural qualities and colour. D....
May 2009
Effects of dietary probiotic, prebiotic and butyric acid glycerides on performance and serum composition in broiler chickens
An experiment on ROSS 308 male broilers was conducted to evaluate probiotic (Primalac), prebiotic (Fermacto) and butyric acid glycerides (Baby C4) on broiler performance and serum composition. Seven hundred and four day-old broilers were randomly distributed in a 2×2×2 factorial arrangement with two levels of probiotic, prebiotic and butyric acid glycerides. Eight treatments with four replicates...
May 2009
Growth hormone secretory in healthy aged women and men of Tunisian population
With aging, men and women experience multiple hormonal changes, and in particular the activity of the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) axis. This perturbation may be involved in aggravations of numerous abnormalities. In 64 healthy elderly, we determined the concentrations of GH in both sexes and its correlation with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), the descriptive data, BMI,...
May 2009
Proximate composition and cholesterol concentrations of Rhynchophorus phoenicis and Oryctes monoceros larvae subjected to different heat treatments
The proximate composition and cholesterol concentrations of Rhynchophorus phoenicis and Oryctes monoceros larvae subjected to different heat treatments were determined. For both R. phoenicis and O. monoceros, lipid and cholesterol contents were significantly lower in the smoke-dried samples (P < 0.05) compared to the raw samples. The cholesterol levels in R....
May 2009
Wood-destroying Coleopteran species in the historical buildings in Kastamonu, in Turkey
The aim of this study is to identify the harmful insects causing damage in the historical wooden buildings of Kastamonu. Accordingly, 15 of those historical wooden buildings situated in the city were periodically controlled between the years 2002 and 2005. During those periodic controls, damages caused by insects were detected and additionally, dead and alive insects were collected from the damaged materials....
May 2009
The effects of the pine processionary moth on the increment of crimean pine trees in Bartin, Turkey
The pine processionary moth (PPM), causing significant damage on pine stands in Turkey, affects mainly crimean pine stands within the Ulus vicinity. To determine the damage, 20 sample plots of second site class crimean pine stands were measured; 10 of which were taken as the control sample and 10 of which were damaged by PPM. In all, 289 trees in the damaged areas and 316 trees in the control areas were...
May 2009
Solubilization and purification of Escherichia coli expressed GST-fusion human vascular endothelial growth factors with N-Lauroylsarcosine
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent mitogen for tumor angiogenesis. Clinically, VEGF detection in human blood can be expected to be used in the very near future for cancer screening, prognosis, monitoring of therapy and diagnosis. VEGF has been identified as the target for the treatment of cancer. Though prokaryotic expression of VEGF has been done, the solubilization and purification is...
May 2009
Purification and characterization of β-glucosidase from newly isolated Aspergillus sp. MT-0204
Aspergillus sp. MT-0204, a novel strain for producing β-glucosidase, was isolated from soil in this study. The β-glucosidase can hydrolyze glycosides and increase free isoflavones in soy products isoflavones. By examining physiological, biochemical characteristics and comparing its ITS rDNA gene sequence, it was identified as Aspergillus niger, and named A....
May 2009
Energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis of elements’ content and antimicrobial properties of Pereskia bleo and Goniothalamus umbrosus
This study was designed to investigate elements’ content and anti-microbial effects of two Malaysian plants, Pereskia bleo and Goniothalamus umbrosus. Elements’ analysis was carried out using Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis combined with Variable Pressure Scanning Electron Microscope (EDX, VPSEM). Anti-microbial screening was performed using disc diffusion...
May 2009
The use of traps and the need for conservation of Synodontis fisheries in Asa Lake, Ilorin, Nigeria
The basket conical traps are commonly used to catch Synodontis species by the fishermen in Asa Lake, Ilorin, Nigeria because these species are caught alive to attract higher market values. Fleets of these traps randomly set at the bottom shoreline by fishermen at three different locations around the lake from the dam site to the river source were examined for Synodontis catch in 12 months....
May 2009
Microbial profile and critical control points during processing of ‘robo’ snack from melon seed (Citrullus lunatus thumb) in Abeokuta, Nigeria
A study was carried out to determine the level of microbial contamination and establish the critical control points associated with the processing of a locally produced ‘Robo’ snack from melon seeds in the Abeokuta Metropolis. Samples were collected at different points of processing from randomly selected local producers and subjected to microbiological hazard analysis. The results were used to...
May 2009
The haematinic activity of the methanol leaf extract of Brillantasia nitens Lindau (Acanthaceae) in rats
Ethnopharmacological information indicates that the leaves of Brillantasia nitens are used in the treatment of anaemia in the south eastern states of Nigeria. In this study, the methanol extract of the leaves of B. nitens was tested for haematinic activity in rats using phenylhydrazine (PHZ- 10 mg/kg. po)-induced anaemia. The red blood cell count (RBC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb),...
May 2009
Antiproliferative hepari (glycosaminoglycans) isolated from giant clam (Tridacna maxima) and green mussel (Perna viridis)
Heparin was isolated from two bivalve mollusks, Tridacna maxima (giant clam) andPerna viridis (green mussel). The isolated heparin was quantified in crude as well as purified samples and they were estimated as 2.72 and 2.2 g/kg (in crude) and 260 and 248 mg/g (in purified samples) in T. maxima and P. viridis, respectively. The antiproliferative activity of both the samples...
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