Search for Articles:
Journal:
Subject:

Search Filter

Years
Between: -
Article Types
Search Results (2775)
Order
page
文章
Nyerhovwo J. Tonukari , *, John S. Scott-Craig and Jonathan D. Walton
Abstract: The expression of four Cochliobolus carbonum endo-1,4- -xylanase genes (XYL1, XYL2, XYL3, XYL4), and an exo-1,4- -xylosidase gene (XYP1) was studied following the growth of the fungus in minimal medium containing glucose, sucrose, xylose, xylan, pectin, or cellulose. The XYL1 and XYL2 genes were expressed only when the culture medium contained xylan or cellulose. Both XYL3 and XYL4 are induced by xylose and xylan, and XYP1 expression is induced by xylose, xylan, pectin and cellulose. None of these genes is expressed in glucose or sucrose media. The differential expression of these enzymes may provide means for the fungus to adapt to different conditions.[...] Read More.
Keywords: Cell wall degrading enzymes, Cochliobolus carbonum, xylan, xylanase.
Full text
Views:792
Download:779
文章
J. Abiodun Elegbede* and Michael N. Gould
Abstract: Perillyl alcohol and d-limonene are naturally occurring plant compounds that exhibited anti-carcinogenic activities in mammary tumor models. The effects of these monoterpenes at the initiation stage of aflatoxin B1-induced hepatocarcinogenesis were investigated. Male F344 rats were fed Control or treatment diets throughout the study and exposed to aflatoxin for 5 days. Three days after the last aflatoxin dose, blood and liver samples were obtained. Analysis of liver samples showed that both limonene and perillyl alcohol significantly inhibited (p[...] Read More.
Keywords: Aflatoxin B1, hepatocarcinogenesis, monoterpenes, chemoprevention.
Full text
Views:761
Download:798
文章
Sagadevan G Mundree *, Bienyameen Baker, Shaheen Mowla, Shaun Peters, Saberi Marais, Clare Vander Willigen, Kershini Govender, Alice Maredza, Samson Muyanga, Jill M Farrant and Jennifer A Thomson
Abstract: Water is a major limiting factor in world agriculture. In general, most crop plants are highly sensitive to even a mild dehydration stress. There are however, a few genera of plants unique to Southern Africa, called “resurrection plants” which can tolerate extreme water loss or desiccation. We have used Xerophyta viscosa, a representative of the monocotyledonous resurrection plants to isolate genes that are associated with osmotic stress tolerance. Several genes that are differentially expressed, and that confer functional sufficiency to osmotically-stressed Escherichia coli are being studied at the molecular and biochemical levels. In this review, we use this as a basis to discuss the physiological and molecular insights into drought tolerance.[...] Read More.
Keywords: Drought stress, reactive oxygen species, osmoprotectants, abscisic acid, transcription factors.
Full text
Views:975
Download:809
文章
Ayobola A Iyanda
Abstract: Trace elements are essential micronutrients required in minute amount by a number of metabolic processes. In many parts of Africa, kerosene is widely available since it is the most commonly used fuel for cooking purposes. As a result of this common availability, excessive exposure to this product has been described. The aim of this study is to identify if exposure to trace amount of kerosene is capable of causing depletion in magnesium and trace element levels. Eighteen Wistar rats divided equally into three groups were used for the study. Administration of trace amount of kerosene (0.4 ml/kg body weight) by oral or dermal route resulted in significant increase (p[...] Read More.
Keywords: kerosene; magnesium, trace elements
Full text
Views:1545
Download:1403
文章
Adediran Olufemi Sola, Okpara Ihunanya Chinyere*, Adeniyi Olasupo Stephen, Jimoh Ahmed Kayode
Abstract: There is a global rise in the prevalence of obesity in both developed and developing countries reaching epidemic levels. It has therefore become an important health issue globally. This study aims at determining the prevalence of obesity in an urban and rural area in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja – Nigeria. In a cross sectional community based study, and by a stratified random sampling method, 229 subjects were selected. A pretested structured questionnaire was administered to obtain sociodemographic characteristics. Anthropometric data were measured by standard methods. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated and in conjunction with waist WC were used as measures of obesity. The overall prevalence of obesity was 22.3%. Prevalence rates were higher in the urban area than rural area (40.7% versus 4.3%, χ2 =43.81,p[...] Read More.
Keywords:
Full text
Views:2004
Download:1568
文章
Eric Nagaonlé Somé*, Issaka Zongo, Félicité Nana, Daouda Sané, Maxime Drabo, Roger Sombié
Abstract: In Burkina Faso, the prevalence of HBs antigen is estimated at 9.1%. We aimed to describe the therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of chronic HBeAg-negative viral hepatitis B outpatients at the University Hospital Yalgado Ouédraogo. Methods: It was a cross-sectional descriptive study including 325 participants with a retrospective data collection from January 2004 to April 2016. Results: The mean age was 38.7 years and the sex ratio, 1.5. The mean concentration of HBsAg and HBV Viral load was 7861.6 IU/mL and 32 237.20 IU/mL, respectively. A total of 84 participants were on antiviral therapy; 73 (86.9%) and six (7.1%) patients were on tenofovir and lamivudine, respectively. Under tenofovir, the virological response was complete and ALT was normal in 44.4% and 77.7% of the patients after one year. HBV DNA was undetectable and ALT normal under Lamivudine in 50% of the patients after four years. The adherence to the treatment was high, moderate or low in 71.4%, 21.4% and 7.2% of the cases, respectively. In high adherent group, HBV DNA was undetectable and ALT normal in 91.6% and 95% of cases, respectively. Under tenofovir and lamivudine, we noted an HBsAg seroconversion after 2 and seven years of treatment, respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of chronic HBeAg negative hepatitis B patients is currently increasing. The HBs seroconversion is still low. The sensitization of the population to avoid the viral hepatitis infection mainly by a systematic immunization of the population remains the most effective weapon to fight this disease.[...] Read More.
Keywords: hepatitis B infection, HBs antigen, HBe antigen, antiviral treatment, adherence, sub Saharan Africa.
Full text
Views:1767
Download:1711
文章
Alka Bhatia*, Yashwant kumar and Anjali Solanki Kathpalia
Abstract: Granulomatous inflammation is considered to be an immune mechanism against infections or certain non-neoplastic conditions. Rarely granuloma formation may be noted in neoplastic disorders also. However a granulomatous response in the lymph nodes draining cancers is unusual. Such granulomas may sometimes show tumour cells in their centre. The exact cause of this phenomenon is not known but an immunologic reaction to tumour antigens has been suggested. A close scrutiny of such granuloma is necessary to avoid under diagnosis of a metastatic disease. Subtle morphological fea-tures which may be helpful in differentiating a co-existing infection or tumour induced granuloma need to be addressed. Moreover the biologic significance of such a granulomatous response in inducing tu-mour remission or in shielding tumour cells from host lymphocytes also requires further investigation.[...] Read More.
Keywords: Granuloma, cancer, metastasis.
Full text
Views:1665
Download:1642
文章
Mohammad Mohammadi*, Masoud Amini, Ashraf Aminiorroay, Hasan Rezvanian, Ali Kachuei, Mansour Siyavash, Soodabeh- Rahimi Saghandand Mohammad Afkhami-Ardekani
Abstract: Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of metformin and folic acid on plasma homocysteine level in diabetic patients. In this clinical trial 47 new cases of type 2 diabetes were randomized to two groups. We treated patients in trial group with metformin and 1 mg folic acid, whereas patients in control group treated with metformin and placebo for 16 weeks. There was no significant difference in plasma homocysteine level and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) between two groups at the start of study. After 16 weeks plasma homocysteine level in the trial group did not change. In contrast plasma homocysteine level increased in the placebo group. There was significant difference in mean plasma homocysteine level between two groups (P-value < 0.01). This difference was highly significant in males (P-value < 0.0001). Correlation between glycosylated hemoglobin and plasma homocysteine level at start and end of study was not significant. This finding indicated that metformin increases plasma homocysteine level in diabetic patients especially males, whereas administration of folic acid with metformin can prevent this process.[...] Read More.
Keywords: Type 2 diabetes, homocysteine, metformin, folic acid, glycosylated hemoglobin, sex.
Full text
Views:2035
Download:1384
文章
Akande Oladimeji Ajayi*, Ebenezer Adekunle Ajayi and Oluwole Akinwumi Komolafe
Abstract: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fifth most common cancer in the world. Its incidence is increasing worldwide ranging between 3 and 9% annually. The aim of this study was to see the pattern of clinical presentation, identify the possible risk factors and the clinical outcome among HCC patients presenting at our health facility. The case records of all patients with histopathological diagnosis of HCC within the study period June 2003-May 2008 were scrutinized. Demographic, clinical presentation, investigations, risk factors and outcome data were extracted. Data analysis was done using the SPSS computer soft ware. Logistic regression model was fitted to identify the impact of the various risk factors on HCC. A total number of 53 patients with histopathological diagnosis of HCC were registered. Their ages ranged from 35 to 73 and mean age of 50±21.8 years. Thirty seven (69.8%) were males while sixteen (30.2%) were females giving M: F ratio of 2.31:1. The left lobe was affected in 15.1% (8), right lobe in 22.6% (12) and both lobes in 62.3% (33). 54.7% tested positive for HBsAg, 3.8% were HCV-Ab positive. All the patients in this study presented at an advanced stage of the disease. Aflatoxin exposure, though not proven, because no test was done to incriminate it, was highly suspected and could be a major risk factor in this study; hence efforts need to be doubled up as regards effective awareness campaigns, general health /social education and food perseveration methods.[...] Read More.
Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma, aflatoxin, hepatitis B and C.
Full text
Views:1655
Download:1412
文章
Full Length Research paper
Abstract: This study determined the susceptibility pattern and multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index of 92 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from clinical samples comprising mainly urine (51.1%) and wounds (41.3%) obtained from the surgical units of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria; over a 24-month period. The strains were susceptible to imipenem (94.6%), ciprofloxacin (90.2%), amikacin (89.1%) and ceftazidime (78.3%) but resistant to ofloxacin (82.6%), perfloxacin (58.7%) and gentamicin (35.8%). Analysis of the MAR index of isolates revealed that 60.9% had MAR index of 0.3 and above, which is an indication of probable origin from the hospital environment where antibiotics are extensively used. A strict management of antibiotic policies and a continuous surveillance programme for multidrug resistant pathogens like P. aeruginosa in specialised units is advocated.[...] Read More.
Keywords: Antibiotic resistance, plasmid, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Full text
Views:1567
Download:1330
Submit Your Manuscript Now