June 2018

Activation of TLRs/NF-κB signaling pathway and production of diverse cytokines in the incidence and development of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis

Aspergillus fumigatus is a common saprophytic fungus in the air. It can cause a severe infectious disease called invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). To establish the activation of TLRs/NF-κB signaling pathway in invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) model of wild type mouse, three groups of mouse were used in the study; the normal mice; mice infected with A. fumigatus conidia; IPA mouse infected with A....

Author(s): MA Guangqiang, WU Su-fang, LUO Hong-dan, XIE Wei-hua, LONG KAI, SU Ming-sheng and XIE Xiao-mei

June 2018

Bio-prospecting of macro-algae for potential industrial dyes

Synthetic dyes have been used for different purposes in various fields, but their continued usage has presented both environmental and health challenges. Therefore, alternative safer dye sources are inevitable. Algae have different pigments with potential for exploitation and usage in different socio-economic sectors. The aim of this study was to bio prospect dyes from macro-algal species of the Indian Ocean marine...

Author(s): Christine W. Njiru, Huxley M. Makonde, John M. Kahindo, Edwin O. Matoka and Charles M. Matoka

June 2018

Diversity and genetic identity of pineapple [Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.] in Tanzania based on microsatellite markers

Pineapple [Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.] is an important fruit crop cultivated in Tanzania. However, the knowledge on genetic diversity of the pineapple cultivars grown in Tanzania is limited. This study was aimed at determining the genetic diversity and identity of pineapple cultivars from different growing regions in Tanzania using microsatellite markers also known as simple sequence repeat marker (SSR). Ten of the 18...

Author(s): Abdalah Makaranga, Miccah Songelael Seth, Ayub Ndee, Emmarold E. Mneney, George Mbwambo, Kusirieli Lema, Aron Godfrey, Lilian Mrema, Andrew Kachiwile, Emmanuel Mrema and Theodosy J. Msogoya

June 2018

Alternative markers linked to the Phg-2 angular leaf spot resistance locus in common bean using the Phaseolus genes marker database

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) is a rich source of protein, vitamins, and micronutrients and is an important crop for food security throughout Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Among tropical and subtropical regions of the world, where the majority of beans are grown, yield losses due to the pathogenic fungus Pseudocercospora griseola, causing angular leaf spot (ALS), can be as high as 80%. The strategic use of...

Author(s): Tamara Miller, Paul Gepts, Stephen Kimno, Esther Arunga, Luseko Amos Chilagane, Susan Nchimbi-Msolla, Annet Namusoke, Annet Namayanja and Yayis Rezene Tedla