October 2009
Organophosphate induced chronic neurotoxicity: Health, environmental and risk exposure issues in developing nations of the world
Organophosphate insecticides account for about half of all the insecticides used in the world and have found very wide applications in agriculture and in household vector control. Exposures of human populations to a wide variety of organophosphates have generated profound concerns about their neurotoxic consequences. Among these concerns are their potential impacts on children and exposures to the...
October 2009
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of plants: Basic principles and influencing factors
Transformation is an important topic in plant biology and transgenic plants have become a major focus in plant research and breeding programs. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation as a practical and common method for introducing specific DNA fragments into plant genomes is well established and the number of transgenic plants produced using this method is increasing. Despite the popularity of the method,...
October 2009
Agrobacterium mediated transformation of annexin gene in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)
The present study involves the development of genetically engineered tobacco plants with annexin gene. The plasmid pUC 119 with the Annexin gene and pGPTV vector were isolated from the Escherichia coli. These plasmids were subjected to restriction digestion with EcoRI and Xbal where the Annexin gene is released from the pUC 119 as a linearised band was eluted from the gel. The recombinant PGPTV...
October 2009
Identification of differentially expressed genes in seeds of two Brassica napus mutant lines with different oleic acid content
The regulation of seed oleic acid synthesis in rapeseed is largely unknown. In this study, gene expression pattern during seed development between two Brassica napus mutants was compared. Using immature seeds 27 days after pollination, differentially expressed cDNA clones were identified by subtractive suppression hybridization (SSH). A total of 480 cDNA clones corresponding to 88 genes were found...
October 2009
Quantification and presence of human ancient DNA in burial place remains of Turkey using real time polymerase chain reaction
Archaeometry and forensic laboratories are increasingly confronted with problematic samples from the scene of samples, containing only minute amounts of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which may include polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibiting substances. Efficient DNA extraction procedures, as well as accurate DNA quantification methods, are critical steps involved in the process of successful DNA analysis of...
October 2009
Nrf2 transcription factor gene regulates basal transcription of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase enzyme in mouse brain
Evidence suggests that the Nrf2 transcription factor participates in the regulation of expression of genes that contain functional antioxidant responsive elements (AREs) in their promoter regions. Previous studies have shown that induction of glutathione-S- transferases (GST) and NADPH quinone reductase 1 (NQO1) by t-butylated hydroxy anisole (BHA) is impaired in the livers of Nrf2(-/-) mice. Basal...
October 2009
Morphological characterization of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) in four populations in Malawi
An assessment of the genetic diversity in cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.)would assist in planning for future selection of good high yield germplasm that will produce nuts of high quality and fetch high prices on the market. The genetic diversity and relationship among 40 accessions of cashew collected from 4 populations (Liwonde, Nkope, Kaputu and Chikwawa) was characterized using quantitative and...
October 2009
Combined overexpression of chitinase and defensin genesin transgenic tomato enhances resistance to Botrytis cinerea
The rice chitinase gene (CHI), the alfalfa defensin gene (alfAFP) and their bivalent gene (CHI-AFP) were introduced into tomato line Micro-Tom via Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer method. Transformants were obtained and confirmed by GFP, PCR and Southern blot hybridization. One to four copies of transgene were integrated into the tomato nuclear genome. Transcription levels of...
October 2009
Comparison of the optimized conditions for genotyping of ACE ID polymorphism using conventional and direct blood PCR
ACE ID polymorphism is inevitable for genetic epidemiology of several cardiovascular and non cardiovascular diseases due to its direct influence on ACE activity level. In the present work, conditions were optimized for its analysis using conventional and direct blood PCR (DB PCR). Blood samples from nine normotensive male donors preserved in EDTA and lithium-heparin coated vacuatainers separately were used...
October 2009
Expression analysis of four flower-specific promoters of Brassica spp. in the heterogeneous host tobacco
The 5’-flanking region of ca. 1200 bp upstream of the translation start site (TSS) of a putative cell wall protein gene was cloned from Brassica campestris, B. chinensis, B. napus and B. oleracea, and transferred to tobacco via Agrobacterium-mediation after fused to promoter-less beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene. Histochemical GUS staining and fluorometric...
October 2009
Inheritance and identification of SCAR marker linked to bacterial wilt-resistance in eggplant
In the present work, the combinations (F1) were crossed between highly resistant and susceptible to bacterial wilt eggplant parents and its F2, BC1 segregation population plants were inoculated with race1 of Ralstonia solanacearum in greenhouse. In this paper, we reported that the inheritance of bacterial wilt resistance in eggplant was controlled by a single dominant gene showing Mendelian...
October 2009
Effects of organic nitrogen and carbon sources on mycelial growth and polysaccharides production and their optimization in the submerged culture of Grifola umbellate, a Chinese medicinal herb
Grifola umbellate is a famous and expensive Chinese herb medicine and the main medicinal component is polysaccharide mainly produced by its mycelia. Effects of organic nitrogen and carbon resources on mycelial growth and polysaccharides production of a medicinal mushroom, G. umbellate were studied in the submerged culture system. Soybean meal was selected as the optimal organic nitrogen...
October 2009
Molecular phylogeny of Ranunculaceae based on internal transcribed spacer sequences
The botanical family Ranunculaceae contain of important medicinal plants. To obtain new evolutionary evidence regarding the systematic classification of Ranunculaceae plants, we used molecular phylogenies to test relationships based on the internal transcribed spacer region. The results of phylogenetic analysis of 92 species of Ranunculaceae, Paeoniaceae and Berberidaceae not only supported the monophyly...
October 2009
Molecular characterization and phylogenetic relationships among and within species of Phalaenopsis (Epidendroideae: Orchidaceae) based on RAPD analysis
Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis for 20 species ofPhalaenopsis was conducted to determine their genetic distances and relationships. Among 20 different primers used for RAPD analysis, 10 primers showed polymorphism, and according to the primer type, 26 to 54 DNA fragments were amplified. A total of 414 polymorphic fragments were generated by 10 primers and used for correlation group...
October 2009
Evaluation of interspecific DNA variability in poplars using AFLP and SSR markers
The objective of this paper was to examine interspecific DNA variation in poplars using AFLP and SSR markers. The AFLP and SSR markers polymorphism and its power of discrimination were determined within 13 genotypes of different genetic background (clones, cultivars, hybrids) of two sections (Aigeiros and Tacamahaca) of genus Populus. Twelve sets of PTR and four sets of WPMS microsatellite...
October 2009
Determination of chromosomal ploidy in Agave ssp.
Chromosome observation is necessary to elucidate the structure, function and organization of Agave plants’ genes and genomes. However, few researches about chromosome observation of Agave ssp. were done, not only because their chromosome numbers are large, but also because their ploidies are complicated. The root tips of 19 Agave ssp. germplasms were used as materials for...
October 2009
A genome browser database for rice (Oryza sativa) and Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa)
We have constructed an integrated genome browser database for sequence analysis of rice (Oryza sativa) and Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa) genomes. The genome browser for Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) was included to provide the comparative analysis with Chinese cabbage. The genome browser of rice provides a variety of alternate views of the data in 12 chromosomes. Constructed from a supercontig...
October 2009
Mapping of QTLs for frost tolerance and heading time using SSR markers in bread wheat
Selection for complex genetic traits, such as frost tolerance, can be simplified in plant breeding programs when linked markers were detected. The use of microsatellite markers for tagging and mapping important genes or QTLs is a goal in wheat genetic projects. In this study, 200 microsatellite markers were studied and after parental assay, 41 polymorphic SSR markers were used for genotyping of 280 F2...
October 2009
Effect of various factors on the rigidity of furniture cases
Cases are one of the most important types of furniture produced, yet relatively little research has been done on the case rigidity. In this study, types of the fastener properties to overall case rigidity were investigated along with the effect of material type and thickness on stiffness. A total of sixteen cases were constructed and tested. Results indicated that panel thickness and material type...
October 2009
Sugarcane mosaic virus: The causal agent of mosaic disease on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) in Tehran province of Iran
During disease diagnosing studies on sorghum fields in Tehran province, Iran through vegetation period in 2005 - 2006, 75 sorghum expressing virus-associated symptoms including mosaic, leaf-redding and necrosis were collected. The virus was inoculated mechanically to Sweet corn (Zea mays cv. Pars403) and grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor cv. Kimia). The virus specifically was reacted in Double Antibody...
October 2009
Varietal response of four cowpea cultivars (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) to different densities of guinea grass (Panicum maximum)
Two field experiments were conducted in 2007 and 2008 to evaluate the performance of four cowpea varieties to different densities (0, 5, 20 and 35 m-2) of guinea grass at the Experimental Garden of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. The experimental design was a 4 x 4 factorial scheme. Weed densities did not significantly (P>0.05) affect plant height at 3, 6 and 9 weeks after planting (WAP) but the...
October 2009
Antagonist potential of Trichoderma indigenous isolates for biological control of Phytophthora palmivora the causative agent of black pod disease on cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) in Côte d’Ivoire
The biodiversity of Trichoderma isolates from cocoa rhizosphere in cocoa production areas of Côte d’Ivoire, and their antagonist potential with Phytophthora palmivora using in vitro assays and bioassays, were investigated and screened for field trials. A total of 135 isolates were analysed at the species level by using sequence analysis of ITS1 and 2 of the...
October 2009
Induction and establishment of adventitious and hairy root cultures of Plumbago zeylanica L.
This study was investigated to develop efficient protocols for adventitious and hairy root cultures of Plumbago zeylanica. Adventitious roots were initiated from leaf and stem explants cultured on MS medium with different concentrations and combinations of auxins. The highest number of roots was obtained when the explants was cultured on MS medium with 1.0 mg·L-1 IBA and 0.5...
October 2009
Effect of phosphorus limiting on phytase activity, proton efflux and oxygen consumption by nodulated-roots of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)
This work intended to measure the nodulated-roots oxygen consumption, proton efflux and phytase activity in 2 lines of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) (115, 147) at 2 levels of P supply. Rooted seedlings were inoculated with Rhizobium tropici CIAT 899 in hydroaeroponic cultivation under glasshouse. Phosphorus was supplied as KH2PO4 at 15 and 250 µmol pl-1 week-1 (15P and 250P,...
October 2009
Botanical and molecular evidences of landraces from the germplasm exclusively collected from Baluchistan, a centre of diversity for Lens culinaris
Botanical descriptors, total seed proteins, isozymes and RAPD markers were applied to identify landraces from indigenous lentil germplasm exclusively collected from the province of Baluchistan, Pakistan. The Germplasm revealed the prevalence of landraces, especially on the basis of isozymes and RAPD markers. Dversity explored through various techniques revealed validity irrespective of the sample size from a...
October 2009
The effects of heat treatment on physical and technological properties and surface roughness of European Hophornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia Scop.) wood
Heat treatment of wood is an effective method to improve the dimensional stability and durability against biodegradation. In this study, the effects of heat treatment on physical properties and surface roughness of European Hophornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia Scop.) wood were examined. Samples obtained from Alapli-Zonguldak Forest Enterprises, Turkey, were subjected to heat treatment at varying...
October 2009
Foliar epidermal anatomy and its systematic implication within the genus Sida L. (malvaceae)
Micro morphological investigations of the foliar epidermal anatomy, particularly the diversity and distribution of glandular and eglandular trichomes on leaves of Sida alba L., S. alii S. Abedin var. alii, S. cordata (Burm. F.) Brss, S. mysorensis Wight and Arn, S. ovata Forssk. S. spinosa L and S. yunnanensis S.Y.Hu have been carried out...
October 2009
Toxicity appraisement of methaldehyde, ferricol®, snail repellent tape® and sabzarang® (snail repellent paint) on land snails (Xeropicta derbentina), (Xeropicta krynickii)
Different control methods have been applied to control the land snail (Xeropicta derbentina and Xeropicta krynickii) but the chemical method is realized to be the most effective method to control this pest. The main goal of this work was to determine the efficacy of methaldehyde, Ferricol, Snail repellent tape and Snail repellent paint (Sabzrang) on this pest. Methaldehyde,...
October 2009
Relative susceptibility of banana cultivars to Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum
The banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW) is the most devastating disease of banana in Great Lakes region of East and Central Africa. The pathogen kills plants quickly and spreads rapidly over a large area in a short time making the disease one of the most dreaded in banana. The disease affects almost all varieties of commonly grown banana cultivars. Some knowledge of the relative susceptibility of banana cultivars...
October 2009
Quality management of cut carnation 'Tempo' with 1-MCP
Water relation and chlorophyll content are two important factors on the postharvest quality of cut flowers. 1-MCP (1–methylcyclopropene), as a gaseous inhibitor of ethylene action, significantly delayed the wilting of cut carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.). The effects of 1-MCP depends on concentration, time duration and temperature. In this study, the...
October 2009
Identification of a latent pathogen on mulberry tree with a disease of mosaic dwarf
A disease on mulberries with the typical symptoms of mosaic and dwarf leaves was found in middle areas of China in 1980s. Presently, this disease became serious and spread out. Based on previous finding, we detected a viroid-like small molecular RNA in diseased mulberries tissues. In this paper, we further identified the pathogen of mulberry mosaic dwarf disease (MMDD) according to the Koch's...
October 2009
Response of arum lily calli to culture filtrate of Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum
This report demonstrated that culture filtrate of Pectobacterium carotovorum ssp.carotovorum isolate ZT0505, the pathogen of bacterial soft rot disease of arum lily (Zantedeschia sp.), contained extracellular enzymes and caused arum lily leaf tissue and callus maceration. Arum lily leaf tissue and callus sensitivity to culture filtrate coincided with the host...
October 2009
Effects of seeding rate on forage yield and quality of vetch (Vicia sativa L.) - triticale (Triticosecale Wittm.) mixtures under east mediterranean rainfed conditions
This study was carried to determine the best seed mixture of vetch and triticale for East Mediterranean rainfed conditions of Turkey. The experiments were conducted in two locations, Adana and Kozan, during the years of 2003 - 2005. The field trials were arranged in a randomised block design with three replications. In the research, pure stands of vetch and triticale and their seed mixtures (80% vetch + 20%...
October 2009
Anti-inflammation activity and chemical composition of flower essential oil from Hedychium coronarium
Hedychium coronarium Koen. (Family Zingiberaceae), popularly named butterfly ginger, is widely available in tropical and subtropical regions. It has been used in folk medicine for many conditions, such as contusion inflammation, anti-rheumatic and so on. In this study, chemical compositions and anti-inflammatory activity of this flowers’ essential oil were investigated for the first time. Followed...
October 2009
In vitro expression of apocarotenoid genes in Crocus sativus L.
Calli were successfully induced from style explants of Crocus sativus L. on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with α-naphthalene acetic acid and 6-benzylaminopurine. Then they were divided into three different types based on developmental stages and pigmentation progress in induced stigma-like structures. RT-PCR method was set up using calli in different developmental stages to...
October 2009
Needs assessment of cowpea production practices, constraints and utilization in South Africa
Cowpea is an important grain legume. Research and production of cowpea have been neglected in South Africa in the last three decades due to lack of funding and interest of researchers to work on the improvement of the crop. The consequence of these are that cultivated varieties are unimproved and the lack of knowledge of good agronomic practices worsen the limitations to cowpea production. In order to...
October 2009
Constitution of the forest road evaluation form for Turkish forestry
It is highly important to describe the capabilities of existing forest roads in terms of all the functions assigned to them in line with forestry objectives and to define their conditions of utilization in the future. This study aimed at determining and grading the factors that are required to make an evaluation concerning the forest roads and preparing an evaluation form for them. Twenty-three evaluation...
October 2009
Simple, effective and economical explant-surface sterilization protocol for cowpea, rice and sorghum seeds
Three different surface sterilization methods were evaluated using seeds andexcised embryos of cowpea, rice and sorghum as explants: Method 1: Ethanol alone in concentrations of 95, 90, 85 and 70% at different time intervals and observed at different days. Method 2: Locally produced bleaching solution (JIK® -Reckitt and Benckiser (Nig) Ltd) containing 3.5% Sodium hypochlorite) at different...
October 2009
Effects of NaCl treatment on the antioxidant enzymes of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) seedlings
The effects of NaCl treatment on the activity of antioxidant enzymes in leaves of oilseed rape seedlings (Brassica napus L.) were studied. The results showed that the relative water content from leaves of oilseed rape seedlings was gradually decreased and the electronic conductivity was increased during 0 - 24 h under 200 mmol.l-1 NaCl treatments. The activity of peroxidase (POD), superoxide...
October 2009
Nonionic surfactant Brij35 effects on toluene biodegradation in a composite bead biofilter
Nonionic surfactant effects on the toluene dissolved in the water phase and biodegradation kinetic behaviors of toluene in a composite bead biofilter were investigated. The toluene dissolved in the water phase was enhanced by the addition of surfactant into aqueous solution and the enhancing effect was more pronounced in the surfactant concentration less than critical micelle concentration. For the microbial...
October 2009
Growth process and diameter structure of Pinus tabulaeformis forest for soil and water conservation in the hilly loess region of China
Using stem analysis method, the biomass, growing process and diameter structure of 21-year shady and sunny slope Pinus tabulaeformis forest were investigated in hilly loess-gully region. Results showed that there were distinct difference in the indexes, tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH) and timber volume between shady and sunny slope forest. The biomass, growth status...
October 2009
Concentrations of heavy metals in soil and leaves of plant species Paulownia elongata S.Y.Hu and Paulownia fortunei Hemsl
This paper sums up the results of the research on heavy metals contents (Pb, Ni,Fe, Zn and Mn) in soil and leaves of the plant species, Paulownia elongata S.Y. Huand Paulownia fortunei Hemsl. at the plantation established on the eutric brown soilin Banat (Vojvodina). The plantation, which served as the control field is at the municipality of Bela Crkva, far away...
October 2009
Improving the eco-environment in the western-China by applying local tree species: Issues and implications for global arid areas
Local tree species would perform an important role in forestation, because they have more advantages than exotic species in terms of the physiological and adaptation aspects. In this article, we discussed some main factors which affect the drought resistance of trees and depict some anti-drought characteristics and mechanisms of some local species. These factors include osmoregulation, antioxidant system,...
October 2009
The efficiency of fan-pad cooling system in greenhouse and building up of internal greenhouse temperature map
During summer periods, high temperature values that are being formed in greenhouses can greatly influence the efficiency of production workers and also decrease the productivity of plants grown there. A greenhouse production without the cooling systems can be sustained at the desirable level by imposing summer restrictions in the areas with warm climate, and by starting cooling in the areas with cold climate....
October 2009
Effect of industrial wastewater ontotal protein and the peroxidase activity in plants
The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of industrial wastewaters on protein and the peroxidase activity in Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., Capsicum annuum L., Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Vicia faba L. Industrial wastewaters were taken from Dardanel Fisheries Company, Tekel alcoholic drinks companies’ wastewater treatment plants and from one station...
October 2009
Isolation and characterization of phenol degrading Xanthobacter flavus
A soil bacterium isolated from a contaminated site degraded phenol as the sole carbon and energy source was identified as Xanthobacter flavus MTCC 9130. This microbial strain was able to tolerate phenol up to 1100 mg/l concentration. The lag phase increased with the increase in phenol concentration. The optimum growth temperature was 37°C. The organism could degrade completely within 120 h...
October 2009
Exopolysaccharide production by Bacillus subtilis NCIM 2063, Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIM 2862 and Streptococcus mutans MTCC 1943 using batch culture in different media
Three bacterial strains, Bacillus subtilis NCIM 2063, Pseudomonas aeruginosaNCIM 2862 and Streptococcus mutans MTCC 1943 were examined for their exopolysaccharide (EPS) producing ability at the laboratory level. Basal salts solution (BSS), minimal salts medium (MSM), nitrogen free medium (NFM), chemically defined medium (CDM), milk medium (MLM) and sewage from different areas were...
October 2009
Isolation of hydrolase producing bacteria from Sua pan solar salterns and the production of endo-1, 4-b-xylanase from a newly isolated haloalkaliphilic Nesterenkonia sp.
Eighty seven bacterial isolates were obtained from evaporator ponds using culture enrichment technique and screened for xylanase, mannanase and cellulase activity. Based on biochemical and phenotypic characteristics, the isolates were divided into 18 groups. Thirteen groups were Bacillus species, four were Halomonas species, while one group belonged to the genus Nesterenkonia....
October 2009
Isolation and characterization of Rhodococcus ruber CGMCC3090 that hydrolyzes aliphatic, aromatic and heterocyclic nitriles
A bacterial strain was isolated from soil samples that had been polluted by nitrilecompounds. This strain converts acrylonitrile to acrylamide with high activity. Thenitrile hydrolysis activity was tested using eight substrates, including aliphatic, aromatic and heterocyclic (di)nitriles. All of the nitrile compounds were hydrolyzedby the resting cells. The main (cyano-)amide...
October 2009
Amylase activity of a yellow pigmented bacterium isolated from cassava waste
This study investigated the amylase activity of a yellow pigmented bacterium isolated from cassava wastes obtained from a dumpsite near a gari processing factory in Ibadan, Nigeria. Isolate was grown in nutrient broth containing 1% starch and then centrifuged at 5,000 rpm. Amylase activity was assayed using the DNSA method for the detection of reducing sugar. Best enzyme activity was recorded at 30ºC and...
October 2009
Study on optimal production of 3-ketovalidoxylamine A C-N lyase and glucoside 3-dehydrogenase by a newly isolated Stenotrophomonas maltrophilia
3-Ketovalidoxylamine A C-N lyase and glucoside 3-dehydrogenase (G3DH), two key enzymes for valienamine synthesis, are produced by Stenotrophomonas maltrophilia. The condition of producing 3-ketovalidoxylamine A C-N lyase and G3DH was optimized. Validamycin A was showed to be suitable carbon source for C-N lyase and G3DH synthesis. Maximum C-N lyase production was achieved by adding 100 ml culture medium...
October 2009
Bacteriological examination of drinking water with reference to coliforms in Jeedimetla, Hyderabad, India
Most probable number (MPN) test was done to detect the coliform in water samples collected from mobile vendors, protected well and municipal tap water supplied from Jeedimetla municipality. The study revealed that the number of coliforms was very high (≥ 1500) in water samples collected from mobile vendors. The bacteria were identified as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas...
October 2009
Oxidative cross-linking of casein by horseradish peroxidase and its impacts on emulsifying properties and the microstructure of acidified gel
The cross-linking of food proteins is an interesting topic of food science in recent years and served successfully as an approach to modify protein functional properties. In the presented work, horseradish peroxidase (HRP, EC 1.11.1.7) was used to oxidative cross-link casein in presence of H2O2. The cross-linking of casein was demonstrated by capillary zone electrophoresis analysis....
October 2009
Inhibition of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) activity from cowpea storage bruchid, Callosobrochus maculatus Frabiricius by some plant extracts
Crude ethanolic extracts of Tithonia diversifolia, Cyperus rotundus and Hyptis suavolens have insecticidal activity against Callosobrochus maculatus Frabiricius. The ethanol extracts of the plants have positive results for alkaloids, saponin, tannins and flavonoids. Antioxidant and reducing properties were also determined in the crude ethanol extracts. Cowpea storage...
October 2009
In vitro assessment of cytotoxicity of giomer on human gingival fibroblasts
Root coverage on restored root surfaces has been considered as a challenging issue. The evaluation of cytotoxic effects of restorative materials is a fundamental requirement for sustaining the cell attachment and the clinical success of root coverage. The aim of the present study was to compare the human gingival fibroblast cytotoxicity of the recently introduced giomer composite (GC) with resin...
October 2009
Curcumin induces cleavage of β-catenin by activation of capases and downregulates the β-catenin/Tcf signaling pathway in HT-29 cells
β-Catenin/Tcf-4 signaling pathway plays important roles in colorectal tumorigenesis. RT-PCR, western blotting and immunoprecipitation were used to study the effects of curcumin on β-catenin/Tcf-4 signaling pathway in HT-29 cells.Treatment of curcumin could induce cleavage of β-catenin and the cleavage could be inhibited by caspase inhibitors. The association of...
October 2009
Optimization of enantioselective production of chiral epichlorohydrin catalyzed by a novel epoxide hydrolase from domestic duck liver by response surface methodology
Enantiopure epichlorohydrin is a valuable epoxide intermediate for preparing optically active pharmaceuticals. In the present study, a novel epoxide hydrolase prepared from domestic duck liver was used as biocatalyst for producing (S)-epichlorohydrin which preparation process was optimized by response surface methodology. Response surface methodology was performed to evaluate the effects of reaction...
October 2009
Investigation of nasal colonization of health care workers by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with using new generation real-time PCR assay: Discussing of risks
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a nasal infectious pathogen which is becoming of significant importance year by year. Mortality, morbidity and treatment costs of MRSA infections have all increased. The most effective preventative tool is rapid confirmation of MRSA existence, followed by efficient execution of the required infection control measures. This study was performed...
October 2009
Effect of simulated pulpal pressure on composite bond strength to dentin prepared using Er, Cr: YSGG laser
Bonding to dentin with adhesive systems is affected by the tubular fluid flow induced by pulpal pressure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of simulated pulpal pressure on the microtensile bond strength of an adhesive to dentin surface prepared by laser irradiation. Crowns of twenty human extracted third molars were subjected to Er, Cr: YSGG laser beams. Specimens were divided into two groups...
October 2009
Pulsed high voltage discharge induce hematologic changes
The aim of this work to examine the effect of the gas-liquid hybrid discharge treatment system on some hematological parameters. The gas-liquid hybrid discharge (HD) reactor consists of high voltage point discharge electrode above blood surface and cylinderical ground copper electrode containing the blood (in the same time act as the vessel reactor). The HD could produce both arc discharge in gas phase and...
October 2009
Be careful for neglected diseases
Neglected diseases boost (Nature, 457: 772, 2009), that will become greater threat to human health especially in tropical regions. In my opinion, it is the inherent result of climate warming. An allometrical scaling is suggested to support my opinion, this can also explain why swine flu does not affect pigs very much, but human beings fatally. Key words: Global climate change, disease,...
October 2009
Antidiabetic activity of water extract of Solanum trilobatum (Linn.) in alloxan-induced diabetes in rats
The antidiabetic potential of the water extract of Solanum trilobatum L. (Solanaceae), a medicinal plant widely used in the traditional Ayurveda and Siddha systems of medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus was evaluated in the alloxan monohydrate induced diabetic model. Graded doses of the water extract were administered to normal and experimental diabetic rats for 10 days. Significant...
October 2009
Optimization of callus induction and regeneration system for Pakistani wheat cultivars Kohsar and Khyber-87
Wheat is a member of family Poaceae. It is the major staple food of Pakistan. The present study was done to improve the regeneration of two commercially grown wheat varieties Kohsar and Khyber-87. Mature embryos were used as explants. Five different concentrations of 2,4-D; 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5 and 4 mg/L were used for callus induction. For regeneration, initially different concentrations (0.1 to 0.2) of IAA...
October 2009
Up-flow immobilized fungal Column Reactor for the Treatment of Anthraquinone dye Drimarene blue K2RL
This research work is on the decolorization of a reactive anthraquinone dye Drimarene blue (Db) K2RL, which is known for its markedly usage in textile industry. Due to poor adsorbability to textile fiber, it has a higher exhaustion rate in wastewater. The main objective of our research work was to evaluate the potential of an Up-flow Column reactor (UFCR) (13x1.7//) containing the fungal...
October 2009
pLIVE-EGFP: A liver specific vector carrying the EGFP reporter for transgenic screening and expression
pLIVE-EGFP is a liver-specific expression vector constructed by insertion of IRES-EGFP gene at the Xho I site of the pLIVE vector. The pLIVE-EGFP vector permits simultaneous expression of a gene of interest in addition to the EGFP reporter, specifically within liver cells, both in vivo and in vitro. When expressed in liver cells, the EGFP reporter produces a bright green fluorescence,...
October 2009
Expression, purification and characterization of recombinant targeting bifunctional hirudin in Pichia pastoris
A recombinant targeting bifunctional hirudin was expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris. In order to decrease the side effects of hirudin and increase its activity to prevent arterial thrombus, we fused a factor Xa (FXa) recognition sequence into N’ of hirudin, while maintaining the activity of natural hirudin. In addition, an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence was fused into appropriate genetic locus of...
October 2009
Hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effects of Anabasis articulata (Forssk) Moq (Chenopodiaceae), an Algerian medicinal plant
Anabasis articulata leaves decoction is widely used by Algerian traditional medicine practitioners as a remedy for the treatment of diabetes. The aqueous extract was found to be non-toxic at 1000 mg/kg, as no deaths or hazardous signs were recorded during treatment or the observation period (24 and 72 h) in either control or treated groups of mice. Experiments were performed in non-diabetic mice, and in...
October 2009
The importance of including toxicity assays when screening plant extracts for antimalarial activity
Identifying plant extracts as sources of antimalarial compounds needs to be addressed as numerous studies screen extracts without the means of eliminating extracts that are merely cytotoxic. Fifty-nine organic solvent extracts from South African plants were screened for antiplasmodial activity using the [3H]-hypoxanthine incorporation assay against the chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum. ...
October 2009
Effect of transient postpubertal hypo- and hyperthyroidism on reproductive parameters of Iranian broiler breeder hens
One hundred and thirty two 26-week-old broiler breeder hens were randomly assigned into one of three treatments as control, hypothyroid (HYPO; propylthiouracil (PTU)-treated) or hyperthyroid (HYPER; thyroxine (T4)-treated) group. PTU and T4 were administered between weeks 30 and 33 of age. Blood sampling was started at week 29, and repeated every week until week 35, coinciding with weekly body weighing....
October 2009
Isolation and characterization of a bacteriocin produced by an isolated Bacillus subtilis LFB112 that exhibits antimicrobial activity against domestic animal pathogens
The emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens and the restriction on the use antibiotics as growth promoters in feed have drawn attention to the search for possible alternatives. Much interest has been focused on bacteriocins because they exhibit inhibitory activity against pathogens. In this study, an antibacterial substance produced by an isolated Bacillus subtilis strain LFB112 from Chinese...
October 2009
Effect of dietary levels of a modified meat meal on performance and small intestinal morphology of broiler chickens
A locally produced meat meal in Ardabil province in Iran is mixed with 150 g wheat bran, 100 g feather meal and 150 g zeolite per kg. Experimentally, this leads to an improvement in physical texture and preservation characteristics. In this experiment, six hundred 3-week-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks of both sexes were assigned randomly to 24 floor pens with 25 chicks in each pen. Dietary modified meat meal at...
October 2009
Ascorbic acid effects on in vitro maturation of mouse oocyte with or without cumulus cell
Ascorbic acid has long been associated with fertility. This study was designed to determine the effects of ascorbic acid on in vitro maturation of mouse oocyte with or without cumulus cells. In this study, 508 denuded oocytes (DOs) and 527 cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) from mice stimulated with pregnant mare’s serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) were incubated for 24 h in medium containing 0,...
October 2009
Production of 1,3-propanediol from glycerol by engineered Escherichia coli using a novel co-expression vector
1,3-Propanediol (1,3-PD) has versatile applications in polymers, cosmetics, foods and medicines. In order to consolidate the functions of glycerol dehydratase genedhaB and 1,3-propanediol oxidoreductase gene dhaT and produce 1,3-PD from glycerol, the genes dhaB and dhaT from Klebsiella pneumoniae were inserted into a co-expression vector pACYCDuet-1 synchronously and the recombinant...
Advertisement
Advertisement
