March 2009
Biosynthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates: Current research and development
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) as an attractive biopolymer with a wide range of applications have been extensively studied. Many new strategies have been employed to effectively and economically produce PHAs. This mini-review mainly focuses on the research and development of new PHAs-producing strains, utilization of renewable materials or industrial wastes, and high cell density culture technologies for PHAs...
March 2009
Ozone concentration dependent autohaemotherapy effects on baboon antioxidant capacity and DNA integrity and repair capacity of lymphocytes
Although ozone is widely used as an alternative medicine, its safety and efficiency are met with scepticism. To shed some light on this, we assessed the effect of ozone-autohaemotherapy, using an O2/O3 gas mixture containing three different O3concentrations (20, 40 and 80 µg/ml), on the antioxidant status and lymphocyte DNA integrity in baboons. Ultra pure O2 was used as a control because more...
March 2009
Phytochemical composition and biological activities of essential oil of Rhynchosia minima (L) (DC) (Fabaceae)
The major constituents, antimicrobial activities against 12 bacterial and 4 fungal species and the antioxidant activity of Rhynchosia minima essential oil were determined. The yield of the oil was 0.21%. The main components of the oil included isopropyl toluene, camphene and O-cymene. The essential oil exhibited marked activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and...
March 2009
Incidence of Proteus species in wound infections and their sensitivity pattern in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital
Proteus species are frequently recovered from infected wounds. They contaminate wounds and thus cause infections. This study was carried out at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) to determine the involvement of Proteus species as one of the major causative organisms in wound infections. The study also determined the sensitivity pattern of the Proteus isolates. This was a...
March 2009
Endophytic fungi from Dracaena cambodiana and Aquilaria sinensis and their antimicrobial activity
Single mycelium method was used to isolate endophytic fungi from surface-sterilized tissues of two medicinal plants. Of the 300 isolates recovered, 172 were from Dracaena cambodiana and 128 from Aquilaria sinensis. According to morphological characteristics, 174 (58%) isolates were identified and belonged to 41 taxa in 30 genera. The remaining 126 (42%) isolates did not...
March 2009
Obesity as risk factor and study of obesity related proteins in diabetes mellitus
Obesity is one of the leading cause of diabetes mellitus in the world population due to the growing trend of sedentary lifestyle and increased food consumption of high caloric diet. A concomitant increase due to this has been observed in coronary heart diseases, hypertension and even diabetes. High lipid profile of the serum is one of the factors that may result in the development of obesity in diabetes...
March 2009
Deformation of skull bone as intracranial pressure changing
Raised intracranial pressure (ICP), a serious and often fatal condition, is often not preventable. In the present study, the relationship was determined between cranial deformation and ICP change. To record the deformation of skull bone, strain foil was placed on the exterior surface of parietal skull. Prior to construction of finite-element model (FEM), using the rats, an in vivo study was...
March 2009
Development of rapid, specific and sensitive detection of Cucumber mosaic virus
Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) causes major losses to thousand agricultural and horticultural crops around the world. Unlike other plant pathogens, there are no direct methods available yet to control viruses and, consequently, the current measures rely on indirect tactics to manage the viral diseases. Hence, methods for detection and identification of viruses, both in plants and vectors, play a critical...
March 2009
Molecular characterization of leptin (obese) gene in domesticated Yak (Bos grunniens)
Leptin is obesity gene involved in production and reproduction traits in domestic animals. In the present study complete leptin gene was sequenced in Yak hitherto uncharacterized. The complete leptin gene was sequenced using twelve sets of overlapping primers and submitted to the GenBank. BLAST analysis was performed with other livestock species revealed 98, 98, 97, 95, 95% homology with Bos...
March 2009
Indigenous uses of economically important flora of Margallah Hills National Park, Islamabad, Pakistan
Informal interviews provided data about 245 useful plants of 77 families of 55 trees, 54 shrubs, 105 herbs, 15 climber, 10 grasses and 6 crops recorded from the Margallah Hills National Park, Islamabad. Two hundred and fifteen local/ vernacular names were noted of total plants. The inhabitants of the park have for a long time been dependent on surrounding plant resources for their food, health care, fodder,...
March 2009
Impact of certain corn cultivars on some ological parameters of Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) tera: Aphididae)
The development, survival rate, reproduction and biological parameters of the corn leaf aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch), on five corn cultivars were evaluated at 25°C under laboratory conditions. The corn leaf aphid had a longer nymphal developmental time of 4.99, 4.98, 4.73, 4.46, and 5.60 day of Ada9516, K. Arifiye, PrimerG626, Pegaso and TTM815, respectively. The corn leaf aphid reared on...
March 2009
Evaluation of quality parameters of strawberry fruits in modified atmosphere packaging during storage
The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) during storage on some quality parameters of strawberries. Strawberries (cv. Camarosa) were harvested when mature, forced air cooled and divided into two groups as fruits in MAP and control. After packaging, fruits were stored at 0°C, 90 - 95% RH for 10 days plus 1 day at 20°C and 50 - 55% RH for...
March 2009
Variation in coumarin accumulation by stem age in Dendrobium thyrsiflorum (Orchidaceae) at different developmental stages
In this study, laser scanning confocal microscopy was applied to determine the localization and relative quantity of coumarins in stems of Dendrobium thyrsiflorumRchb. f. (Orchidaceae) when plants entered profuse flowering and initial fruit period during reproductive growth stage. Stems at the two growth stages were collected respectively. Distribution of coumarins in the top, middle and basal parts of...
March 2009
Morphology and cytology of flower chimeras in hybrids of Brassica carinata × Brassica rapa
Hybridization between white flowered Brassica carinata and yellow flowered B. rapawere made, and the flower chimeras were observed in a few hybrids. The simple single sequence molecular markers verified the hybridity of those hybrids.Chimeras were justified and totally classified based on the morphological characteristics of the flower petals that appeared in the hybrids...
March 2009
The effect of intercropping Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst., millet and corn in the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. (marula) is native to Africa occurring in the semi-arid, deciduous savannas of much of sub-Saharan Africa. It has multiple uses, including the fruits, kernels, oil, bark, wood and leaves which make it a key species to support the development of rural enterprises. Enhancing positive interactions between marula and other crops is key to successful introduction of...
March 2009
Regeneration and molecular analysis of date palm (Phœnix dactylifera L.) plantlets using RAPD markers
Clonal plants of date palm (Pœnix dactylifera L.) were regenerated from juvenile leaves on regimes consisting of the use of 2,4-D. Success depended on the concentrations of 2,4-D tested. The cultures produced adventitious shoot buds directly at the basal part of leaves as well as excessive calli. Somaclonal variation in plantlets which can be induced by 2,4-D during recurrent somatic embryogenesis...
March 2009
Mixed chemical-induced oxidative stress in occupational exposure in Nigerians
Exposure to single chemicals and associated disorders in occupational environments has received significant attention. Understanding these events holds great promise for risk identification, assessment and chemical induced disease prevention. Fifty (50) fasting male workers, age range 18-50 years exposed to chemical mixtures in a works department, mean duration 17.7±10.1 years and 30 controls matched...
March 2009
Effect of immunomodulation with levamisole on the course and pathogenesis of acute experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection in sheep
The effect of immunomodulation with levamisole on the pathogenesis and course of acute experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection in sheep was studied. Eighteen Yankasa sheep were divided into three groups: Group A- six (T. congolense infected), Group B- seven (T. congolense infected, immunomodulated) and Group C- five (uninfected controls). Groups A and B sheep were each infected with...
March 2009
Isolation, quantity distribution and characterization of endophytic microorganisms within sugar beet
The present investigation was undertaken in order to document the spectrum of endophytes colonizing healthy leaves of sugar beet cultivars in Xinjiang Province (China) and to determine the degree of colonization at three growth stages. From the 360 sugar beet leaf and root segments incubated, 221 bacterial...
March 2009
Effect of irradiation and extractive solvents on the Thevetia seed oil
Oil of irradiated thevetia seeds was extracted with different solvents. The effect of irradiation dosages on the extracted oils was studied by comparing the TLC chromatography of irradiated seed oil with that of non-radiated seeds. Saponification values were also compared. Key words: Thevetia seed, irradiation, saponification value, chromatography, and extraction.
March 2009
Ozone autohaemotherapy protects against ketamine hydrochloride® induced liver and muscle damage in baboons
Ozone is currently under scrutiny because of various claims of beneficial effect in disease. In order to shed some light on this we assessed the acute and chronic effect of O3 autohaemotherapy (AHT) on liver and muscle damage in baboons. Five percent of the total blood volume of a baboon was treated with O2 and O3. Eleven baboons were acutely treated with an O2/O3 gas mixture...
March 2009
Oxidative stress and the effect of riboflavin supplementation in individuals with uncomplicated malaria infection
This study evaluated the effect of riboflavin supplementation in malaria patients. Fifteen patients (GpA) were given chloroquine tablets (25 mg/kg-body weight for three days, while 15 others (GpB) were given riboflavin tablets (300 mg per day for five days in addition to chloroquine). Twenty healthy individuals who were not given any drug served as control. Packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin (Hb) levels...
March 2009
Effect of fermented seed extract of Carica papaya on litters of female wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus)
This study was performed to determine the effects of fermented seeds of Carica papaya on litters of female Wistar rats, and ascertain its safety as a food condiment. Animals in group one served as control, and were given only water; those in groups two and three were given the aqueous extract of the fermented seeds of C. papaya at 500 and 1500 mg/kg, respectively, from gestation day six to...
March 2009
Compositional changes in banana (Musa ssp.) fruits during ripening
The compositional changes in banana (musa spp) fruits were investigated. Banana fruits were collected, dried, ground and ashed. The moisture content and mineral elements composition was determined as ripening proceeds. The mineral elements analyzed included magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and cobalt (Co). Their composition was found to be 0.68, 0.66 and 0.60% in unripe, ripe and overripe banana...
March 2009
Integrated agrotechnology with preharvest ComCat® treatment, modified atmosphere packaging and forced ventilation evaporative cooling of tomatoes
An evaporative cooler (EC) unit, which allowed an average drop of 11.5°C in temperature and a rise of 43.93% in relative humidity relative to environmental conditions was used to store tomatoes. The quality of tomatoes stored in this cooler were maintained better with more than 70% shelf life extension compared to tomatoes stored at ambient conditions. Preharvest ComCat® treated tomatoes...
March 2009
Drying characteristics and engineering properties of fermented ground cassava
The effect of variety on the drying and engineering properties of fermented ground cassava was studied in order to generate data for design and optimum performance of various dryers used in cassava processing. This research attempts to provide data on the engineering properties such as moisture content, specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and bulk density. One native cultivar and...
March 2009
Ips typographus (L.) and Thanasimus formicarius (L.) populations influenced by aspect and slope position in Artvin-Hatila Valley National Park, Turkey
This study investigated the effects of aspect (north and south) and slope position (top slope: 1100 - 1700 m and bottom slope: 1700 - 2200 m) on Ips typographus(L.) and its major predator Thanasimus formicarius (L.) populations and body length and weight of the pest I. typographus (L.) in oriental spruce [Picea orientalis (L.) Link.], dominated stands in Artvin-Hatila Valley...
March 2009
Recombinant MEPE can increase hydroxyapatite in vitro
The matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein (MEPE) gene is highly expressed in tumors that cause oncogenic hypophosphatemic osteomalacia (OHO). MEPE is also known as one of the bone-tooth matrix proteins and is associated with bone and teeth mineralization. We developed a rabbit polyclonal antibody directed against recombinant human MEPE after cloning its cDNA from the cDNA library of a human brain cDNA...
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