December 2006
Enhancement of agronomical values: upstream and downstream opportunities for starch and starch adjuncts
Majority of the starch crops harvested in the tropical African countries are wasted to post-harvest losses, while minority are consumed locally with insignificant quantity being processed for down stream applications, with no evidence for up stream process applications. Consequently, the natural resources are under utilized but deserve value enhanced utilities. In view of this necessity, this review pooled together...
December 2006
Cysteine-free peptides in scorpion venom: geographical distribution, structure-function relationship and mode of action
Scorpion venoms are well known sources of Na+-channel, K+-channel, Cl--channel, Ca2+-channel and ryanodine channel selective peptides. In 1993, the first cysteine-free peptide was isolated from scorpion venom. Within the last six years, cysteine-free peptides with and without antimicrobial activity have been isolated from scorpion venom. The first antimicrobial peptides being parabutoporin and hadrurin, after which...
December 2006
Therapeutic implications of recombinant human erythropoietin in anaemic related clinical manifestations
The introduction of recombinant human erythropoietin (RHUEPO) has revolutionised the treatment strategies for patients suffering with anaemia of chronic renal disease and chronic heart failure. Clinical studies and several observational evidences have demonstrated that RHUEPO is also useful in various non-uraemic conditions including haematological and oncological disorders, prematurity, HIV infection and preoperative...
December 2006
Potential of Cleisthopholis patens Elliot as a maize protectant against the stored product moth, Plodia Interpunctella (Hubner) (Lepidoptera; Pyralidae)
The root bark powder, stem bark powder and leaves powder of Cleisthopholis patens were tested for their insecticidal activity as a stored product protectant at four different concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 g) on the moth, Plodia interpunctella, at ambient tropical storage conditions of temperature and relative humidity. Moth mortality, egg hatchability, adult emergence were used as indices of...
December 2006
Use of molecular genetics and historical records to reconstruct the history of local communities
Recent advances in molecular genetics made the inference of past demographic events through the analysis of gene pools from modern populations possible. The technology uses genetic markers to provide previously unavailable resolution into questions of human evolution, migration and the historical relationship of separated human populations. Some of the genetic markers used to measure variation (polymorphism) within...
December 2006
Remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon polluted systems: Exploiting the bioremediation strategies
The irrepressible quest for a cheap source of energy to meet the extensive global industrialization demand has expanded the frontiers of petroleum hydrocarbon exploration. These exploration activities amongst others often result in pollution of the environment, thus creating serious imbalance in the biotic and abiotic regimes of the ecosystem. Several remediation alternatives have been in use for the restoration of...
December 2006
Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-granules: ultrastructure, morphometry and function
The atrial granules containing the peptide hormone, Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) are present in the four regions of the atrial-auricular complex (two atria and two auricles). ANP-immunoreactivity was detected in all granules from the four regions. Ultrastructurally, atrial myocytes show the presence of very electron dense granules, with sparsely granular and homogeneous content, coated with a double membrane. The...
December 2006
An overview of molecular marker methods for plants
The development and use of molecular markers for the detection and exploitation of DNA polymorphism is one of the most significant developments in the field of molecular genetics. The presence of various types of molecular markers, and differences in their principles, methodologies, and applications require careful consideration in choosing one or more of such methods. No molecular markers are available yet that fulfill...
December 2006
Progress and prospects of marker assisted backcrossing as a tool in crop breeding programs
Marker assisted backcrossing (MAB) is one of the most anticipated and frequently cited benefits of molecular markers as indirect selection tools in breeding programs. However, routine implementations of MAB in ongoing plant breeding programs are still scarce. Currently MAB of single gene is perhaps the most powerful approach that uses DNA markers effectively. Improvement of quantitative traits loci (QTLs) through MAB...
December 2006
Principles, requirements and prospects of genetic mapping in plants
Genetic mapping (also known as linkage mapping or meiotic mapping) refers to the determination of the relative position and distances between markers along chromosomes. Genetic map distances between two markers are defined as the mean number of recombination events, involving a given chromatid, in that region per meiosis. Genetic map construction requires that the researcher develop appropriate mapping population,...
December 2006
Manipulating legume/cereal mixtures to optimize the above and below ground interactions in the traditional African cropping systems
The purpose of mixing legume and cereals in the cropping systems is to optimise the use of spatial, temporal, and physical resources both above- and below ground, by maximising positive interactions (facilitation) and minimising negative ones (competition) among the components. The complex inter-actions in legume/cereal cropping systems such as those used by traditional farmers have received little research attention....
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