February 2011

Polymerization of human sickle cell haemoglobin (HbS) in the presence of three antimalarial drugs

To study the capacity of antimalarial drugs to interfere with polymerization of sickle cell haemoglobin (HbS), in vitro polymerization was induced by incubating erythrocyte haemolysate of HbS with 2 g% sodium metabisulphite (Na2S2O5) in the presence of 2 mg% concentration of three (3) separate antimalarial drugs (CoartemTM, Quinine, and Chloroquine phosphate). Spectrophotometric method was used to ascertain...

Author(s): Chikezie P. C., Chikezie C. M. and Amaragbulem P. I.

February 2011

Purification and biochemical characterization of a xylanase purified from a crude enzyme extract for the determination of active site residues

This paper describes the purification of a thermostable xylanase (Xyn) from a commercially available xylanase stock (Buzyme 2511 from Buckman Laboratories International, South Africa).The purified enzyme showed a Mr. of 66 kDa, and presented a dimeric form with two similar molecular weight chains of 33 kDa. The optimum pH and temperature were found to be 6.0 and 50°C, respectively. The enzyme was active over a broad...

Author(s): Sacha Tabosa-Vaz, Ajit Kumar, Kugen Permaul and Suren Singh

February 2011

Iodine and inorganic mineral contents of some vegetables, spices and grains consumed in Southeastern Nigeria

Selected vegetables, spices and grains which serve as staples in Southeastern Nigeria were analyzed for their iodine and some essential minerals. Our results showed that the mean iodine concentration of the vegetables were of 94.61 ± 15.28 µg/100 g, with Uha leaves (Pterocarpusspp.) having the highest with 117.66 ± 3.00 µg/100 g iodine, cowpea (Vigna...

Author(s): Ujowundu C. O., Kalu F. N., Nwosunjoku E. C., Nwaoguikpe R. N., Okechukwu R. I. and Igwe K. O.

February 2010

The influence of 950 MHz magnetic field (mobile phone radiation) on sex organ and adrenal functions of male rabbits

Mobile phones are used frequently and held close to the body thus they are potentially dangerous sources of electromagnetic (EM) radiations. The clear effects of EMF (electromagnetic field) on many organs of the body have not been known until now and have puzzled scientists. The objective of this study was the evaluation of the influence of different powers (3 and 6 W) of 950 MHz magnetic field on testosterone, FSH...

Author(s): M. R. Sarookhani, M. Asiabanha Rezaei, A. Safari, V. Zaroushani and M. Ziaeiha

February 2011

Iodine nutrition for pregnant women in three major villages of Ohafia local government area in Abia State of Nigeria

Median urinary iodine concentrations of three hundred pregnant women in three major villages in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, South-Eastern Nigeria were determined. This is to help determined whether iodine nutrition was sufficient or not in pregnant women. The analysis of iodine in urine was by spectrophotometric reaction in which specimens were manually digested with ammonium persulfate. The median...

Author(s): Igwe K. O., Ukoha A. I., NwaChukwu N. and Ujowundu C. O.