November 2011

Lung function decline: Screening of alpha-1 antitrypsin gene in a population exposed to coal dust

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is an inherited disorder that causes low levels of, or no alpha-1 antitrypsin in the blood. Most commonly, it is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema chronic bronchitis - inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes emphysema - permanent destruction of the alveoli. Mutations in the PI gene, located on...

Author(s): M. Bhattacharjee, B. G. Unni, S. Das, M. Deka and P. G. Rao

November 2011

Micropropagation of Allanblackia stuhlmannii: Amenability to tissue culture technique

Allanblackia stuhlmannii is an endangered forest tree valued for its edible nut oil. Its limited regenerative potential in the wild hinders the sustainable utilization of its products. To achieve mass production of A. stuhlmannii, its amenability to micropropagation technique was examined. Explants were best surface sterilized at 8% sodium hypochlorite for 10 min and rinsed using sterile distilled water. Of eight basal...

Author(s): Johnstone Neondo, Joseph Machua, Anne Muigai, Aggrey B. Nyende, Moses Munjuga, Ramni Jamnadass and Alice Muchugi