January 2013
Genetic variability of tissue cultured Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench as revealed by morphological traits and simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers
To evaluate their performance for seedling traits at seedling stage (under hydroponics), plant water relations under water stress and ultimately grain yield, and to estimate the genetic variability of the regenerates, the parent plants of local sorghum cultivars in Kenya using simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers were analyzed. The research involved Seredo, El Gardam and Mtama 1 sorghum...
January 2013
Computational identification of putative cytochrome P450 genes in soybean (Glycine max) using expressed sequence tags (ESTs)
Cytochrome P450 is a group of monooxygenase that exists as a gene superfamily and plays an important role in metabolizing physiologically important compounds in plants. However, to date only a limited number of P450s have been identified and characterized in soybean (Glycine max.). In this work, a computational study of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) of soybean was performed by data mining methods and...
January 2013
Quantitative sexing (Q-sexing) technique for animal sex-determination based on X chromosome-linked loci: Empirical evidence from the Siberian tiger
Here we report a mammal sexing procedure based on the detection of quantitative differences between females and males in the X-linked loci (quantitative sexing, Q-sexing). This novel technique was validated using samples from Siberian tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) whose sexes were known. The Q-sexing technique relies on the fact that amplifications proceeding exclusively from the two X chromosomes in a...
January 2013
Isolation and description of keratinase producing marine actinobacteria from South Indian Coastal Region
A unique standard starch casein medium has been implemented for the isolation of actinobacteria from the south Indian marine sediments. A combination of techniques, morphological, physiological and biochemical tests provided the evidence for the isolated actinobacteria. All the 56 isolates were inoculated on milk agar and soya meal agar plates for the primary proteolytic screening and the proportional...
January 2013
The influence of host and pathogen genotypes on symptom severity in banana streak disease
Banana is the fourth most important food crop worldwide. However, its production has been threatened by banana streak disease, caused by banana streak virus (BSV). Despite this situation, little is known about the inter-relationships between symptom severity and cultivar/virus genotypes. Symptom severity assessment for sixty five symptomatic samples was carefully done. The rolling circle amplification...
January 2013
Co-infection of Tylosema esculentum (Marama bean) seed pods by Alternaria tenuissima and a Phoma spp.
Marama bean, Tylosema esculentum, is an endemic, perennial wild tuberous Fabaceae, widely distributed in the Southern Kalahari (Namibia, Botswana and to a lesser extends in South Africa). It is well adapted to the deep sandy soils of the Kalahari. It is drought avoiding. It has been valued by the indigenous people of the semi arid land of the Kalahari for its nutritional and medicinal qualities. The...
January 2013
Silicon improves growth and antioxidative defense system in salt-stressed Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), ‘Perfection’ and ‘Midnight’
After 400 mM of NaCl treatment, 0.1 and 1.0 mM of silicon (Si) were added to Kentucky bluegrass, ‘Perfection’ and ‘Midnight,’ to identify the effect of Si on the antioxidant defense mechanisms and inorganic ions as a parameter in the salt stress on grass. Compared to the control, the NaCl treatment caused a significant decrease in the shoot length and the fresh and dry weight of shoot...
January 2013
Assessment of trace metals in sewage water and sludge from River Kubanni drainage basin
The concentrations of trace metals in sewage water and sludge samples from River Kubanni drainage basin in Zaria City, Nigeria were investigated in this study. The drainage basin is utilized as a source for irrigation water, during dry seasons. The sewage water quality characteristics in three month sampling periods, that is, February - April, 2008 (peak of dry season and period of intensive usage of the...
January 2013
Partial purification and characterization of alkaline proteases from the Black Sea anchovy(Engraulis encrasicholus) digestive tract
Alkaline proteases from the digestive tract of anchovy were partially purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation, dialysis and Sephadex G-75 gel filtration. The purification fold and yield were 6.23 and 4.49%, respectively. The optimum activities of partially purified alkaline proteases were observed at 60°C and at pH 11.0. The alkaline proteases were stable within the temperature range of 40 to...
January 2013
Application of a new red carotenoid pigment-producing bacterium, Enterobacter sp. P41, as feed supplement for chicken
In order to use purple non-sulfur bacteria as feed supplement in chicken industries, screening for red pigment-producing bacteria with proteinases was done using hen feces as a target. One isolate, P41, with the highest proteinases activity was selected for further studies. Based on the data of biochemical and 16S rDNA sequence analysis, it was identified as Enterobacter sp. P41. This strain...
January 2013
Role of oxidative stress in therapeutic administration of artesunate on sperm quality and testosterone level in male albino rats
The effects of antioxidants, vitamins C and E, on sperm quality, testosterone levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration were studied in artesunate treated rats. 25 male rats (160 to 250 g) divided into five groups were used for the study. Group 1 animals received normal saline and served as control while groups 2 to 5 received artesunate in therapeutic doses of 2.9...
January 2013
Epidemiological surveillance, virulence and public health significance of Listeria spp. from drinking water
Epidemiological surveillance of drinking water from Punjab, India reported occurrence of Listeria spp. in 58.67% of Municipal Corporation (MC), 51.38% submersible pump and 12.5% hand pumps and Escherichia coli in 53.71% of MC, 29.16% submersible pump and none of samples from hand pumps. There was no positive correlation between the simultaneous occurrence...
January 2013
Effects of aqueous methanolic extract of Salvia limbata on antinociceptive activity and withdrawal syndrome in mice
It is quite clear that the repeated use of opioid drugs leads to physical dependence and tolerance. Dependence can be measured by evaluation of self-restraint signs from abrupt drug withdrawal or administration of a narcotic antagonist or both. Effects of some Salvia genesis, of Salvia aerial parts extract on morphine dependence were investigated in mice. After induction of dependence by morphine,...
January 2013
Detection of Trypanozoon trypanosomes infections on Glossina fuscipes fuscipes (Diptera: Glossinidae) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique in the Blue Nile State, Sudan
Tsetse flies transmit many species of trypanosomes in Africa, some of which are human and livestock pathogens of major medical and socio-economic impact. Identification of trypanosomes is essential to assess the disease risk imposed by particular tsetse populations. The present study was carried out to determine the trypanosomal infection rate of tsetse flies (Glossina fuscipes fuscipes) in the Blue Nile...
January 2013
Phytochemical screening and application of extracts of selected plant foods in preparation of enhanced sensorial and healthier image yoghurt
Extracts of four indigenous plant foods namely: Chrysophyllum albidum (Cal),Curcuma longa (Clo), Tetracapidium conophorum (Tco) and Piper guineese (Pgu) were screened for phytochemical endowment in order to gain insight to their pharmacological potentials with concomitant propensity for pro-lactic acid fermentation. The extracts were used in the formulation of substrate for...
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