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Plant Product- Drug Interaction: The Case of Blighia sapida Stem Bark Extract and Streptomycin or Erythromycin is Antagonism
Udobi Chinweizu Ejikeme,
Daniel Mbuotidem David
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
1-5
Received:
24 November 2014
Accepted:
9 December 2014
Published:
14 January 2015
Abstract: The continuous development of resistance by microorganisms to antibiotics has necessitated the use of combinations of agents for their containment. This has led to the combination of plant products or parts known to have potentials to control microorganisms with antibiotics without any scientific basis by traditional medicine practitioners. Erythromycin and Streptomycin were differently combined with concentrations of Blighia sapida previously known to control Staphylococcus aureus in anticipation of a synergistic or at least additive effect using both the Agar well diffusion method and strip - agar methods. Results obtained showed an undesirable antagonistic effect leading to a complete loss of activity in the case of Erythromycin against Escherichia coli and reduction in activity of streptomycin against both Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Plant product-antibiotic combinations in anticipation of synergism should not be done without scientific proof.
Abstract: The continuous development of resistance by microorganisms to antibiotics has necessitated the use of combinations of agents for their containment. This has led to the combination of plant products or parts known to have potentials to control microorganisms with antibiotics without any scientific basis by traditional medicine practitioners. Erythro...
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Extraction of Borassus Flabilifer Root and Biochemical Effects on Experimental Mouse Model- Lipid Profile
Rajib Dab Nath,
Md. Sohel Rana,
Md. Areeful Haque,
Pobittro Sen,
Md. Elias Mehedy,
Mrityunjoy Biswas
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
6-10
Received:
12 December 2014
Accepted:
22 December 2014
Published:
20 January 2015
Abstract: In this investigation we included an extraction of Borassusflabilifer root and reported to have beneficial effect in lowering of blood pressure and treatment of hypertensive patients. Borassusflabilifer root were collected from various part of Noakhali and extract was prepared by following standard method. The present study was conducted to determine the in vivo effect of Borassusflabilifer root extract on tissues and serum lipids in experimental rats. 15 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups and administered different doses of the extract for 30 days while control group received distilled water. Lipid profile in the serum, liver, kidney and heart of the experimental animals were measured and compared with the control. Borassusflabilifer caused significant (p<0.0) reduction in serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in a dose dependent manner in rats while serum HDL cholesterol was significantly elevated. Serum triglyceride level was not significantly affected. There was also a significant increase in the levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride in the liver while lipid profile in the heart and Kidney were unaffected. This result suggests positive alterations in lipid metabolism and storage in rats which corroborate the efficacy of Borassusflabilifer root extract in the management of atherosclerosis caused by lipid abnormalities. We can develop techniques on rational design of drug for the treatment of heart diseases and further study can lead to the development of a therapy for other diseases like diabetes.
Abstract: In this investigation we included an extraction of Borassusflabilifer root and reported to have beneficial effect in lowering of blood pressure and treatment of hypertensive patients. Borassusflabilifer root were collected from various part of Noakhali and extract was prepared by following standard method. The present study was conducted to determi...
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Effectiveness of Breeding Methods for Production of Superior Genotypes and Maintenance of Genetic Variance in Faba Bean (Vicia faba, L.)
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
11-16
Received:
21 September 2014
Accepted:
10 October 2014
Published:
23 January 2015
Abstract: The present study was carried out during the period from 2007/ 08 to 2011/2012 at Agricultural Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. The study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of pedigree (P), single seed descent (SSD), and mass selection (MS) breeding methods. Two F2 populations, derived from two crosses, were used. Twenty families derived from each of the three breeding methods in each cross were tested for seed yield (t/ ha), seed yield per plant (g) and its components in F6 generation. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used. Significant differences existed, within F6 families of each cross, for seed yield, seed yield per plant and its components by applying either of the three methods. The widest range in seed yield was obtained by the SSD method. The SSD breeding method produced consistently more superior families in either and over the two crosses with 22, 19 and 18 families for (SSD), (P) and (MS) methods, respectively. The genotypic (2G) and phenotypic (2Ph) variances, for seed yield, estimated from SSD method were the highest compared with the other breeding methods over the two crosses. Heritability estimates, in broad sense, and expected genetic advance from selection for higher seed yield indicated that the SSD method recorded higher values (h2= 0.87-0.93, G= 0.51- 0.85) compared with the other two methods. Based on the obtained results, it seems that the SSD breeding method was more effective compared to the other two breeding methods, in producing superior genotypes in seed yield and maintaining genetic variance for further selection and improvement of that character. Considering the partial allogamous nature of the crop, it could be concluded that the SSD method was more efficient and could be less costly in breeding for high seed yield.
Abstract: The present study was carried out during the period from 2007/ 08 to 2011/2012 at Agricultural Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. The study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of pedigree (P), single seed descent (SSD), and mass selection (MS) breeding methods. Two F2 populations, derived from two ...
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Dimethoate Induced Changes in Serum Ca2+ and Corpuscles of Stannius in Freshwater Catfish Heteropneustes fossilis, after Short-Term and Long-Term Exposure
Rakesh Kumar Pandey,
Vijai Krishna Das
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
17-21
Received:
8 December 2014
Accepted:
23 December 2014
Published:
28 January 2015
Abstract: The Corpuscles of Stannius (CS) exclusively present in bony fishes, produce Stanniocalcin – an anti-hypercalcemic hormone. Fish are in intimate contact with their surrounding through their gills. Gills are the main target of stanniocalcin; therefore, the activity of CS is influenced by many external and internal factors. Stressful conditions such as exposure to various pesticides disturb the ionic balance in fishes. Short-term (96 h) and long-term (36 d) toxic effect of an organophosphate insecticide, dimethoate was studied on serum Ca2+ and CS histology in freshwater air-breathing catfish Heteropneustes fossilis. The concentration of dimethoate for short-term exposure was 2.24 mg L-1 (75% of 96 h LC50) and for long-term was 0.75 mg L-1 (25% of 96 h LC50). Fish exhibited hypocalcaemia in both the short-term as well as in long-term experiment. The glandular cells of CS in short-term experiment, exhibited increase in the nuclear volume (NV) along with increase in the nucleoli number after 24 h and thereafter, show decrease in NV and deformity of nucleus after 96 h dimethoate exposure. In long-term experiment, the NV increased following 6 d of exposure to dimethoate, but decreased significantly thereafter. The gland exhibited degeneration after 36 d of dimethoate exposure.
Abstract: The Corpuscles of Stannius (CS) exclusively present in bony fishes, produce Stanniocalcin – an anti-hypercalcemic hormone. Fish are in intimate contact with their surrounding through their gills. Gills are the main target of stanniocalcin; therefore, the activity of CS is influenced by many external and internal factors. Stressful conditions such a...
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Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 and Endothelial Leukocyte Adhesion Molecule-1 as Markers of Atherosclerosis of NIDDM
Mohammed E. Al-Ghurabi,
Ali A. Muhi,
Dhefaf H. Al-Mudhafar
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
22-26
Received:
13 December 2014
Accepted:
27 December 2014
Published:
30 January 2015
Abstract: Background: Leukocyte adhesion to arterial endothelial cells is thought to be an important step in the development of atherosclerosis, Adhesion molecules such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and the endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) play an essential role in the early stages of atherogenesis of diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 80 male divided into two groups 60 of them had diabetes mellitus and 20 subjects were normal healthy individuals served as a control group. Enzyme linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the measurement of serum VCAM-1and ELAM-1and WBC assay executed by automatic hematology analyzer the information of patients were obtained through a questionnaire consisted Patients with other diseases were excluded from the current investigation. Results: This result revealed elevated level of serum VCAM-1and ELAM-1 of Diabetes patients compared with healthy group also differentiation count reveal elevated count of WBC, Neutrophil, Lymphocyte, Monocyte, Eosinophil, Basophil in Diabetes patient as compare with HT group.
Abstract: Background: Leukocyte adhesion to arterial endothelial cells is thought to be an important step in the development of atherosclerosis, Adhesion molecules such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and the endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) play an essential role in the early stages of atherogenesis of diabetic patients. Mate...
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Nkombo Island: The Most Important Schistosomiasis mansoni Focus in Rwanda
Eugene Ruberanziza,
Michée Kabera,
Giuseppina Ortu,
Kirezi Kanobana,
Denise Mupfasoni,
Josh Ruxin,
Alan Fenwick,
Thierry Nyatanyi,
Corine Karema,
Tharcisse Munyaneza,
Katja Polman
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
27-31
Received:
7 January 2015
Accepted:
25 January 2015
Published:
2 February 2015
Abstract: In Rwanda, the initial school-based mapping of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections was completed in 2008. Despite the classification of low endemicity of intestinal schistosomiasis (Schistosoma mansoni) in Rusizi district, the Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) programme has received warnings two years after the mapping on high infection level on Nkombo Island located in this district. This study aims to report on prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni infection in an area which was the last to be investigated in Rwanda and provide some critics on current mapping guidelines. The study was done in January 2011 with a sample of 311 schoolchildren aged 10-19 years. Stool screening was performed by Kato-Katz technique. Overall prevalence of S. mansoni was found to be 62.1% (95%CI: 56.4-67.5), ranging from 28.6% (95%CI: 19.2-39.5) to 77.9% (95%CI: 67.0-86.6) across the schools. The prevalence of S. mansoni among the schoolchildren of Nkombo Island was found to be the highest in Rwanda. These findings confirm the extreme focality of schistosomiasis and the fact that the current mapping guidelines are likely to miss some hotspots. For the validation of schistosomiasis distribution at country level, there is need for new innovative mapping methodology that can provide to control programmes more accurate data for planning and undertaking control interventions at the district and the lowest implementation levels. When mapping units have to be designed they should give more priority to areas surrounding perennial water bodies that are considered high-risk zones.
Abstract: In Rwanda, the initial school-based mapping of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections was completed in 2008. Despite the classification of low endemicity of intestinal schistosomiasis (Schistosoma mansoni) in Rusizi district, the Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) programme has received warnings two years after the mapping on ...
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Genetic Engineering of Microalgae for Enhanced Biodiesel Production Suitable Fuel Replacement of Fossil Fuel as a Novel Energy Source
Fatemeh Nazari,
Jamshid Raheb
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
32-41
Received:
19 January 2015
Accepted:
29 January 2015
Published:
6 February 2015
Abstract: Due to negative environmental influence and limited availability, petroleum derived fuels need to be replaced by renewable biofuels. Biodiesel has attracted intensive attention as an important biofuel. Microalgae provide various potential advantages for biodiesel production when compared with ‘traditional’ crops. Specifically, large scale micro algal culture need not compete for arable land, while in theory their productivity is greater. In consequence, there has been resurgence in interest and a proliferation of algae fuel projects. However, while on a theoretical basis, microalgae may produce between 10 and 100 fold more oil per acre, such capacities have not been validated on a commercial scale. There are a series of consecutive processes for biodiesel production with microalgae as feedstock, including selection of adequate micro algal strains, mass culture, cell harvesting, oil extraction and trans esterification. To reduce the overall production cost, technology development and process optimization are necessary. Genetic engineering also plays an important role in manipulating lipid biosynthesis in microalgae. Many approaches, such as sequestering carbon dioxide from industrial plants for the carbon source, using wastewater for the nutrient supply, and maximizing the values of byproducts, have shown a potential for cost reduction. This review provides a brief overview of genetic engineering of microalgae for enhanced biodiesel production.
Abstract: Due to negative environmental influence and limited availability, petroleum derived fuels need to be replaced by renewable biofuels. Biodiesel has attracted intensive attention as an important biofuel. Microalgae provide various potential advantages for biodiesel production when compared with ‘traditional’ crops. Specifically, large scale micro alg...
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Honey Production and Marketing in Ethiopian
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
42-46
Received:
20 December 2014
Accepted:
6 January 2015
Published:
11 February 2015
Abstract: The beekeeping subsector has been an integral part of agriculture in Ethiopia. It has been contributing to the household income and poverty alleviation and national economy through export. The country has huge apicultural resources that made it the leading honey and beeswax producer in Africa. Moreover, Ethiopia is a country where apicultural research is being conducted in a coordinated manner under the national agricultural research system. Hence, a lot of information have been gathered on different aspects of the beekeeping. This is a review of various research results that are from published and unpublished papers over a long period of time in the course of the apicultural research. It has been revealed that the country’s beekeeping subsector is mainly practiced using traditional basket hives with low productivity. However, attempts by various investigators and development actors showed that both the production and quality can be improved in terms of transforming the beekeeping system, processing and marketing. This review paper also tried to address both the domestic and international honey marketing and identified some of the major challenges that are obstacles to the possible maximization of benefits by producers and the whole national economy.
Abstract: The beekeeping subsector has been an integral part of agriculture in Ethiopia. It has been contributing to the household income and poverty alleviation and national economy through export. The country has huge apicultural resources that made it the leading honey and beeswax producer in Africa. Moreover, Ethiopia is a country where apicultural resea...
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Phenotypic Diversity and Molecular Identification of the Most Prevalent Anastomosis Group of Rhizoctonia solani Isolated from Diseased Faba Bean Plants
Mohamed Maha Helmy,
Gado Emad,
El-Deeb Samir,
Mostafa Helmy Mostafa
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, February 2015
Pages:
47-55
Received:
31 December 2014
Accepted:
18 January 2015
Published:
13 February 2015
Abstract: One hundred and thirty one isolates of Rhizoctonia spp. were isolated from faba bean plants showing root rot and stem canker collected from different fields in Delta region of Egypt. Forty six isolates were found to be polynucleate and the remaining isolates were binucleates. According to morphological features of isolates, they were classified into 12 groups. Polynucleate isolates were identified as Rhizoctonia solani (Kühn). The most aggressive isolate of R. solani was identified according to sequences of ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS4 and the sequence was compared with Thanatephorus cucumeris (teleomorphic phase) and other R. solani (NCBI GenBank). Sequence and comparison revealed that this isolate is R. solani AG4-HGI. Anastomosis test carried out between molecular identified isolate and 11 randomly chosen isolates resembles all groups of polynucleate R. solani. All tested isolates were completely fused between each other indicating that the prevalent AG of R. solani on faba bean is AG4-HG1.
Abstract: One hundred and thirty one isolates of Rhizoctonia spp. were isolated from faba bean plants showing root rot and stem canker collected from different fields in Delta region of Egypt. Forty six isolates were found to be polynucleate and the remaining isolates were binucleates. According to morphological features of isolates, they were classified int...
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