Original Articles

Permanent URI for this collection

http://hdl.handle.net/2003/27534

News

Editors

J. G. Hengstler
Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors
Ardeystr. 67
D-44139 Dortmund
Germany

Submission of manuscripts

Editorial Board

L. S. Weilemann, Mainz, Germany
I. Ishibashi, Tokyo, Japan
P. Micke, Uppsala, Sweden
J. Timmer, Freiburg, Germany
A. Winterpacht, Erlangen, Germany
B. C. Behera, Pune, India

Address & Contact:

EXCLI
Editorial Office
Mrs. S. Lindemann
Institute for Occupational Physiology
at the University of Dortmund
Leibniz Research Centre
for Working Environment and Human Factors
Ardeystraße 67
D-44139 Dortmund
Fon +49(0)231/1084-0
Fax +49(0)231/1084-308
EXCLI
ISSN 1611-2156

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 28

The role of liver in leptin metabolism in experimental nephrotic syndrome
(2012-09-20) Ahmed, Mohamed Mahmoud; Amin, Ahmed Ibrahim; Fahmi, Abdelgawad Ali; Habib, Dawoud Fakhry; Kholousy, Naglaa Mohamed; Shalaby, Mostafa; Shanab, Asem Metwally Abo
Leptin is a hormone influencing food intake, energy expenditure and body weight. It is pro-duced by adipocytes, exerts its effects on brain, endocrine pancreas and other organs by acti-vating trans-membrane receptors and is cleared from plasma mainly by the kidneys. Several studies have suggested that leptin's effects on metabolism are mediated by the liver. Our aim was to evaluate the role of the liver in the metabolism of leptin by comparing the serum leptin level in the portal vein with that in inferior vena cava and to study the relationship between leptin and lipoprotein levels in healthy and nephrotic rats. Experimental nephrotic syndrome was conducted in rats by intraperitoneal injection of the supernatant from the kidney suspen-sion obtained by previous unilateral nephrectomy of the same rat and complete Freund's adju-vant. There was a highly significant rise in leptin and lipid profile levels in the nephrotic rats compared with the normal rats. A highly significant increase in leptin in the inferior vena cava was detected compared with the level in the portal veins of nephrotic rats, while insignificant difference was observed in normal rats. This work has stressed the role of liver in leptin and lipid metabolism in nephrotic rats.
Protective effect of aqueous extract of the rhizomes of Sansevieria liberica Gérôme and Labroy on carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats
(2012-09-20) Igboh, Ngozi Mercy; Ikewuchi, Catherine Chidinma; Ikewuchi, Jude Chigozie; Mark-Balm, Telema
The ability of an aqueous extract of the rhizomes of Sansevieria liberica to protect against carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury was investigated in Wistar albino rats. The carbon tetrachloride was prepared 1:5 (v:v) in olive oil, and administered subcutaneously at 1 mL/kg body weight. The extract was administered to both normal and carbon tetrachloride treated rats at 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg. On gas chromatographic analysis of the extract, twenty nine known flavonoids were detected, consisting mainly of 31.94 % apigenin, 20.66 % quercetin, 11.28 % kaempferol, 5.99 % naringenin, 5.83 % (-)-epicatechin, 3.69 % biochanin, 3.58 % (+)-catechin, 2.72 % diadzein, 2.20 % ellagic acid, 2.04 % butein. Compared to test control, the treatment dose dependently produced significantly (P<0.05) lower alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase activities. The plasma total bilirubin and total protein levels of the test animals were lower though not significantly. The hepatic histo-pathological studies showed that carbon tetrachloride caused fatty degeneration of hepato-cytes, which was inhibited by pre-treatment with the extract; thus, confirming the results of the biochemical studies. The results of this study indicated that treatment with the plant ex-tracts protects the liver against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity. This supports the use of Sansevieria liberica in traditional health care for managing liver problems.
Linear chain aldehydes evoke calcium responses in B16 melanoma cells
(2012-09-20) Ishikawa, Yuki; Ohara, Kazuyuki; Ohshima, Toshiaki; Ushio, Hideki
Oxidative stress is involved in various physiological impairing stages, such as aging, diabetes, atherosclerosis, cirrhosis, and neurological disorders. Recent research indicates that aldehyde compounds derived from oxidized lipids increase in cancer patients compared to healthy individuals. Among of them, hexanal, a six-carbon liner chain aldehyde, is commonly found in cancer patients. Lipid oxidation products including aldehydes are in general chemically unstable and react with biological molecules such as proteins. The purpose of this study is to investigate effects of lipid-derived aldehydes and the related compounds on intracellular Ca2+ responses in B16 melanoma cells. Hexanal-induced [Ca2+]i elevation is observed in B16 cells in a dose dependent manner, but [Ca2+]i changes were observed neither in 3T3-L1 cells nor Caco-2 cells. Propanal, a chain length analogue of hexanal, elicited no change in [Ca2+]i, but nonanal initiated [Ca2+]i increases. Analogue compounds of hexanal failed to induce [Ca2+]i elevation. Furthermore, unsaturated aldehydes known as TRPA1 channel agonists also failed to alter [Ca2+]i levels in B16 melanoma cells. Pharmacological spectra using inhibitors against intracellular Ca2+ signaling suggest that hexanal-induced [Ca2+]i responses in B16 cells might be involved in TRP channels other than TRPA1. Our results suggest that saturated aliphatic chain aldehydes would be novel compounds for initiating [Ca2+]i increases through very strict recognitions of chain saturation, aldehydic base structures, and chain lengths in B16 melanoma cells. B16 cells would have sensing mechanisms for oxidative status and/or metabolic activities in their growth environment.
The effect of different antidepressant drugs of oxidative stress after lipopolysaccharide administration in mice
(2012-09-20) Abdel-Salam, Omar M.E.; Morsy, Safaa M. Youssef; Sleem, Amany A.
This study investigated the effect of the serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) fluoxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine and the tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) impiramine on oxi-dative stress in brain and liver induced by lipopolysaccharide administration in mice. Each drug was administered subcutaneously at doses of 10 or 20 mg/kg, for two days prior to in-traperitoneal (i.p.) administration of lipopolysaccharide E (LPS: 200 μg/kg). Mice were euthanized 4 h after administration of the lipopolysaccharide. Lipid peroxidation (malondial-dehyde; MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and nitric oxide (nitrite/nitrate) concentrations were measured in brain and liver. Results: The administration of lipopolysaccharide increased oxidative stress in brain and liv-er; it increased brain MDA by 36.1 and liver MDA by 159.8 %. GSH decreased by 34.1 % and 64.8 % and nitric oxide increased by 78.7 % and 103.8 % in brain and liver, respectively. In brain, MDA decreased after the administration of sertraline and by the lower dose of fluo-xetine or fluvoxamine, but increased after the higher dose of imipramine. Reduced glutathione increased after sertraline, fluvoxamine and the lower dose of fluoxetine or imipramine. Nitric oxide decreased by sertraline, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine and by the lower dose of imipramine. In the liver, all drugs decreased MDA and increased GSH level. Nitric oxide is decreased by sertraline, fluvoxamine and by the lower dose of fluoxetine or imipramine. It is concluded that, during mild systemic inflammatory illness induced by peripheral bacterial endotoxin in-jection, the SSRIs fluoxetine, sertraline and fluvoxamine reduced, while the TCA impiramine increased oxidative stress induced in the brain. The SSRIs as well as imipramine reduced oxi-dative stress due to lipopolysaccharide in liver tissue.
Hepatoprotective effect of an aqueous extract of the leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana 'Godseffiana' Muell Arg (Euphorbiaceae) against carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury in rats
(2012-09-20) Ikewuchi, Catherine C.; Ikewuchi, Jude C.; Onyeike, Eugene N.; Uwakwe, Augustine A.
The potential of aqueous extract of the leaves of Acalypha wilkesiana, to protect against carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage was investigated in Wistar albino rats. The carbon tetrachloride was prepared 1:5 (v:v) in olive oil, and administered subcutaneously at 1 mL/kg body weight. The extract was administered to both normal and carbon tetrachloride treated rats at 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg. On fractionation and gas chromatographic analysis of the crude aqueous extract, thirty nine known alkaloids were detected, consisting mainly of akuamidine (69.027 %), voacangine (26.226 %), echitamine (1.974 %), echitamidine (0.599 %), lupanine (0.521 %) and augustamine (0.278 %). Compared to test control, the treatment dose dependently produced significantly lower (P<0.05) alkaline phosphatase, aspartate and alanine transaminase activities. Histopathological studies on the liver sections showed that pre-treatment with the extract protected against carbon tetrachloride induced fatty degeneration of hepatocytes, thus, confirming the results of the biochemical studies. The above results imply that treatment with the plant extract protects the liver against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity, therefore, justifying the use of Acalypha wilkesiana in African traditional health care for the management of liver problems.
Essential oil composition and antimicrobial activity of Lobelia pyramidalis Wall
(2012-09-20) Bishta, Ganga; Devendra, Mishra; Joshi, Shivani; Khetwala, Khadak Singh
The essential oil of Lobelia pyramidalis was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. A total of 21 con-stituents comprising 77.88 % of the total oil were identified. Perilla ketone constituted 25.61 % of the oil followed by camphorquinone (12.16 %), dibutyl phthalate (10.66 %) and allyl nonanoate (8.47 %). The antimicrobial activity of the oil was evaluated using the disc diffusion method and the microdilution technique. The results showed that the oil exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity.
Chemical composition and antioxidant potentials of Kigelia pinnata root oil and extracts
(2011-12-02) Adeosun, Charles B.; Adeyemi, Stephen O.; Akpan, Essiet; Atolani, Olubunmi; Olatunji, Gabriel A.
The chemical composition of Kigelia pinnata root oil extracted with n-hexane was analyzed by GC/GCMS. The antioxidant potential of the oil was compared to that of ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of the root. UV and IR spectroscopic techniques were used to carry out partial characterization of the oil and extracts. The free radical scavenging activity by spectrophotometric assay on the reduction of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was examined while the total antioxidant activity (TAA) and relative antioxidant activity (RAA) were compared with standard antioxidant, α-tocopherol. The antioxidant activity (which correlated with the total phenolic content of the extracts) was assumed to be from the total phenolic content of the extracts. TAA was found to be higher in methanol extract (at 0.25 mg/mL). We hereby report for the first time the major component of the oil from the root of Kigelia pinnata to be elaidic acid (56.12 %). It is a reported toxicant which thereby underscores the risk in the use of the plant in traditional therapies.
Antibacterial activity of different parts of Peganum harmala L. growing in Iran against multi-drug resistant bacteria
(2011-12-02) Darabpour, Esmaeil; Motamedi, Hossein; Poshtkouhian Bavi, Aniseh; Seyyed Nejad, Seyyed Mansour
Peganum harmala L. (Zygophyllaceae) is one of the most famous medicinal plants used in traditional medicine of Iran. The aim of this study was to consider antibacterial effects of the methanolic extract of different parts of P. harmala including root, stem, leaf, flower and seed against some important human pathogenic bacteria. Antibacterial properties of methanolic extract of mentioned parts were assessed by disc diffusion method. Active extract was fractioned using Thin Layer Chromatography; also their synergism activity in combination with synthetic antibiotic was evaluated. Among the evaluated parts of P. harmala, the root and seed extracts presented antibacterial activity against all of tested bacteria even at the lowest concentration. Antibacterial effect of leaf part was moderate while stem and flower extracts showed relatively poor activity. Antibacterial activity of root extract against most of the tested Gram positive bacteria was better than seed extract. Tested against Gram negative bacteria the obtained results were inconsistent. MIC (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration) and MBC (Minimal Bactericidal Concentration) values for both extracts against MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and for seed extract against E. coli and S. typhi were equal (0.625 mg/ml). TLC (Thin Layer chromatography) results revealed that seed and root extracts were different in terms of nature and content of their constituents. Furthermore, these two extracts showed an excellent stability to temperature and pH treatment. Also, the seed and root extracts showed synergism in combination with novobiocin, colistin and carbenicillin. In conclusion, P. harmala can be assigned as a source of antibacterial compounds for treatment of infections caused by multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens.
PyBact
(2011-12-02) Isarankura-Na-Ayudhya, Chartchalerm; Nantasenamat, Chanin; Prachayasittikul, Virapong; Preeyanon, Likit
PyBact is a software written in Python for bacterial identification. The code simulates the predefined behavior of bacterial species by generating a simulated data set based on the frequency table of biochemical tests from diagnostic microbiology textbook. The generated data was used for predictive model construction by machine learning approaches and results indicated that the classifiers could accurately predict its respective bacterial class with accuracy in excess of 99 %.
Immortelle (Xeranthemum annum L.) as a natural source of biologically active substances
(2011-12-02) Branković, Snežana R.; Čomić, Ljiljana R.; Radojević, Ivana D.; Stanković, Milan S.; Stefanović, Olgica D.; Topuzović, Marina D.
Antioxidant and antimicrobial effects, total phenolic content and flavonoid concentrations of methanolic, acetone and ethyl acetate extracts from Xeranthemum annuum L. were investigated in this study. The total phenolic content was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and ranged between 101.33 to 159.48 mg GA/g. The concentration of flavonoids in various X. annuum extracts was determined using spectrophotometric method with aluminum chloride and the results varied from 22.25 to 62.42 mg RU/g. Antioxidant activity was monitored spectrophotometrically using DPPH reagent and expressed in terms of IC50 (μg/ml), and it ranged from 59.25 to 956.81 μg/ml. The highest phenolic content and capacity to neutralize DPPH radicals were found in the acetone extract. In vitro antimicrobial activity was determined by microdilution method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum microbicidal concentration (MMC) have been determined. Testing was conducted against 24 microorganisms, including 15 strains of bacteria (standard and clinical strains) and 9 species of fungi. Statistically significant difference in activity between the extracts of X. annuum L. was observed and the acetone extract was found most active. The activity of acetone extract was in accordance with total phenol content and flavonoid concentration measured in this extract. The tested extracts showed significant antibacterial activity against G+ bacteria and weak to moderate activity against other microorganisms. Based on the obtained results, X. annuum can be considered as a rich natural source of polyphenolic compounds with very good antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.
The majority of cockroaches from the Samutprakarn province of Thailand are carriers of parasitic organisms
(2011-12-02) Chamavit, Pennapa; Niamnuy, Nunthawadee; Sahaisook, Panupong
We undertook a study of the mechanical transmission of parasitic organisms in cockroaches in the Samutprakarn province of Thailand. In this study, 920 cockroaches were obtained from 18 open-air shopping markets in 5 districts and 1 subdistrict of this province. All cockroaches were captured during their feeding time in their natural habitat. Direct wet smear and modified acid-fast bacilli staining were used to identify the parasites from the external surface or cuticle of the cockroaches. The results show that 498 (54.1 %) of the cockroaches harbored parasitic organisms. Of these, 56.1 % were protozoa and the remaining 43.9 % were helminthes (pathogenic helminthes- 1.4 %, non-pathogenic helminthes- 42.5 %). Of the pathogenic helminthes, the species included Strongyloides stercoralis (6 instances of the free-living adult male, 0.8 %), Ascaris lumbricoides (2 decorticated eggs, 0.3 %), Trichuris trichiura (2, 0.3 %), and Taenia spp. (1 egg, 0.1 %). The protozoa types that were identified included Cyclospora spp. (10 oocysts, 1.3 %), Endolimax nana (10 cysts, 1.3 %), B. hominis (9 instances of the vacuolated form, 1.2 %), Isospora belli (75 oocysts, 9.6 %), Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar (36 cysts, 4.6 %), Cryptosporidium spp. (220 oocysts, 28.1 %), Chilomastix mesnilli (2 cysts, 0.3 %), Entamoeba coli (31 cysts, 4.0 %), Balantidium coli (45 trophozoites, 5.8 %), and Iodamoeba butschlii (1 cyst, 0.1 %). These results show that cockroaches isolated from these markets are carriers of several parasitic organisms that cause commonly found symptoms of illness such as diarrhea or bowel disorder.
High-fat diet did not change metabolic response to acute stress in rats
(2011-12-02) Farrokhi, Babak; Ghalami, Jamileh; Hedayati, Mehdi; Rostamkhani, Fatemeh; Zardooz, Homeira
This study investigated the effects of high-fat diet on metabolic factors in the presence of acute foot-shock and psychological stresses in male Wistar rats. The animals were divided into high-fat (45 % cow intra-abdominal fat) and normal (standard pellets) diet groups; then, each group was allocated into stressed and control groups. Stress was induced by a communication box. Blood samples were collected by retro-orbital-puncture method under isoflurane anesthesia. Plasma levels of glucose, insulin, triglyceride, cholesterol, free fatty acid and corticosterone were measured. Water and food intake significantly decreased in high-fat diet group; however, their weight did not change compared with the normal diet group. The level of fasting plasma glucose in the high-fat diet group decreased whereas, the fasting plasma insulin level did not significantly change. Stress increased the plasma glucose level 15 minutes after oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in both diet subgroups. The concentration of plasma insulin increased after stress induction in fasting and 15 minutes after performing OGTT. The increase in the plasma level of corticosterone was significant in both diet subgroups of only the foot-shock stress group. Plasma level of cholesterol and triglyceride in the high-fat diet group significantly increased; however, foot-shock stress decreased only triglyceride concentration. Plasma level of the fatty acids did not change in any of the groups. Statistical analysis showed no significant interaction between high-fat diet and stress. As a whole, the results showed that the high-fat diet used in the present study did not noticeably affect metabolic parameters even in the presence of acute stress.
Comparative germination of Tamarix ramosissima spring and summer seeds
(2011-12-02) Yan, Cheng; Yang, Meilin; Yan, Wei
Tamarix ramosissima has bi-seasonal flowering and fruit-setting characteristics. This study compared the morphology and germination characteristics of seeds from Tamarix ramosissima plants during the spring flowering period and the summer flowering period. The results are as follows: there is no significant difference in morphology, such as size and thousandseed weight, between seeds from different the spring and summer flowering periods. Freshly harvested spring and summer flowering period seeds can both rapidly germinate under the 5/15 °C, 5/25 °C, 15/25 °C or 25/35 °C thermoperiods. Average germination time of the spring flowering period seeds is shorter than that of the summer flowering period seeds, with a TG50 of 2-18 hours (TG50 = the time when germinate percentage reached 50 %). NaCl solutions at concentrations below 0.2 mol/L have no significant effect on the germination of Tamarix ramosissima seeds from either flowering periods. However, at above 0.4 mol/L, higher NaCl concentrations adversely affect the Tamarix ramosissima seeds’ germination rates. Seeds from the summer flowering period have higher tolerance of NaCl solutions than seeds from the spring flowering period. Seeds that were incubated in NaCl solution for 8 days cannot recover after being transferred to distilled water (0 % recovery), indicating that NaCl treated seeds permanently lost their germination capability. After storing in room temperature for 2 months, Tamarix ramosissima seeds from both spring and summer flowering periods maintain above 80 % viability. After 2 months, the seed viabilities decrease as the storage time lengthens. The viabilities of seeds from both spring and summer flowering periods decrease to about 40-50 % after storage for 6 months. This study can provide scientific basis for rational utilization of the biological resources in arid desert ecosystems.
The effects of trimetazidine on lipopolysaccharide-induced oxidative stress in mice
(2011-12-02) Abdel-Salam, Omar M.E.; Mohammed, Nadia A.; Sleem, Amany A.
The effects of trimetazidine, a novel anti-ischemic agent, on the development of oxidative stress induced in mice with lipopolysaccharide endotoxin were investigated. The drug was administered orally once daily at doses of 1.8, 3.6 or 7.2 mg/kg for two days prior to intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of lipopolysaccharide E (200 μg/kg) and at time of endotoxin administration. Mice were euthanized 4 h after administration of the lipopolysaccharide. Lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde; MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and nitric oxide (nitrite/nitrate) concentrations were measured in brain and liver. The administration of lipopolysaccharide increased oxidative stress in both the brain and liver tissue. MDA increased by 33.9 and 107.1 %, GSH decreased by 23.9 and 84.3 % and nitric oxide increased 70.3 and 48.4 % in the brain and liver, respectively. Compared with the lipopolysaccharide control group, brain MDA decreased by 26.2 and 36.7 %, while GSH increased by 18.2 and 25.8 % after the administration of trimetazidine at 3.6 and 7.2 mg/kg, respectively. Brain nitric oxide decreased by 45.3, 50.8 and 57.0 % by trimetazidine at 1.8, 3.6 and 7.2 mg/kg, respectively. In the liver, MDA decreased by 18.7, 30.7 and 49.4 % and GSH increased by 150.3, 204.8 and 335.4 % following trimetazidine administration at 1.8, 3.6 and 7.2 mg/kg. Meanwhile, nitric oxide decreased by 17.3 % by 7.2 mg/kg of trimetazidine. These results indicate that administration of trimetazidine in the presence of mild systemic inflammatory response alleviates oxidative stress in the brain and liver.
Investigation on biological activities of anthranilic acid sulfonamide analogs
(2011-12-02) Doungsoongnuen, Sutanun; Pingaew, Ratchanok; Prachayasittikul, Supaluk; Prachayasittikul, Virapong; Ruchirawat, Somsak; Suksrichavalit, Thummaruk; Worachartcheewan, Apilak
In the previous studies, the cytotoxicities of anthranilate sulfonamides were investigated. Herein, the bioactivities of 4-substituted (X = NO2, OCH3, CH3, Cl) benzenesulfonamides of anthranilic acid (5-8) are reported. The results revealed that all sulfonamides selectively exerted antifungal activity (25-50 % inhibition) against C. albicans at 4 μg/mL. Furthermore, compounds 6 and 8 show antioxidative (SOD) activity. These sulfonamides, except for 6, selectively display cytotoxic effects toward MOLT-3 cells. It is interesting to note that sulfonamides with electron withdrawing substituent (5, X = NO2) exhibited the highest cytotoxicity. This study provided preliminary structure-activity relationship of the anthranilic sulfonamides that is useful for further in-depth investigation.
A comparative study pertaining to deleterious effects of diclofenac sodium and meloxicam on kidney tissue in rats
(2011-12-02) Abdollahi, Ali; Andalib, Sasan; Asl, Naser Ahmadi; Garjani, Alireza; Naeini, Azadeh Motavallian
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are a class of drugs with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic effects. Diclofenac sodium is one of the world's most widely-prescribed NSAIDs. Meloxicam is another NSAID that was approved in the last several years. Treatment with NSAIDs may result in renal damage. Relatively, little is known about com-parative nephrotoxicity of NSAIDs. Therefore, the present study was designed to compare the adverse effects of diclofenac sodium and meloxicam on renal tissue in rats. Forty eight Wistar male rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups of 16 animals each. Group C served as normal control and received normal saline. Group D and M received diclofenac sodium (2.3 mg/kg/day) and meloxicam (2.3 mg/kg/day), respectively. After 17 days, all rats were scarified. Their kidneys were then harvested and processed for histological examination. In addition to cellular details, renal tubular count and diameter were assessed with the light microscope. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. We found that the mean number of renal tubules was significantly lower in group D, than in group C. Moreover, the mean renal tubular diameter was significantly higher in group D than in group C. The present study showed that a considerable degree of nephrotoxicity resulted from diclofenac sodium, compared to meloxicam. We suggest that diclofenac sodium can be replaced with meloxicam.
Production of ethanol from lignocellulosics
(2011-08-23) Banerjee, Rintu; Kuila, Arindam; Mukhopadhyay, Mainak; Tuli, D. K.
The major objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the effect of enzymatic pretreatment on Lantana camara for improved yield of reducing sugar and bioethanol production. An optimum enzymatic delignification (88.79 %) was achieved after 8 h of incubation. After delignification the substrate was further treated with the mixture of carbohydratases for appropriate saccharification. The enzyme treated substrate yielded maximum reducing sugar (713.33 mg/g dry substrate) after 9 h of saccharification. Monosaccharide content in the saccharified samples were quantified using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. Using conventional yeast strain, 9.63 g/L bioethanol was produced from saccharified samples of Lantana camara. Structural changes of Lantana camara before and after enzymatic pretreatment were further investigated through Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Declined sex ratio at birth in Fallujah (Iraq) during Iraq war with Iran
(2011-08-23) Saadat, Mostafa
The main objective of this study was to investigate whether the sex ratio at birth (SRB, male proportion) alter in Iraq during its war against Iran (1980-1988). Here we compared 785 births (348 males, 437 females) during 1980-1989 with 1144 births (655 males, 489 females) before 1980 and 2914 births (1496 males, 1418 females) after 1989 in Fallujah, Iraq. The SRB significantly decreased during 1980-1989 in comparison with the ratios before 1980 (OR=0.595, 95 % CI: 0.495-0.714, P<0.001) and after 1989 (OR=0.755, 95 % CI: 0.644-0.884, P=0.001). Considering that the Iran-Iraq war began at 1980 and ended in 1988, therefore it seems that the SRB decreased in Fallujah (Iraq) during the war.
Evaluation of the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of a flavone glycoside from Cancrinia discoidea (Ledeb.) Poljak
(2011-08-23) Li, Qing-Chan; Su, Jian-Yu; Zhu, Liang
The anti-inflammatory effect of selagin-7-O-(6″-O-Acetyl-)-β-D-glucoside, isolated from the medicinal herb Cancrinia discoidea (Ledeb.) Poljak, was evaluated for its anti-inflammatory activity in the carrageenin- and serotonin-induced rat paw oedema models of acute inflammation and the cotton pellet-induced granuloma rat model of chronic inflammation. Flavone glycoside at doses of 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg, the clinical anti-inflammatory indo-methacin at 10 mg/kg, or vehicle were administered orally before injection of the pro-inflammatory compound. The test compound showed significant anti-inflammatory activity against paw edema induced by carrageenin or serotonin, most notably at the highest test dose of 20 mg/kg. In the cotton pellet-induced granuloma model, the compound showed dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity, with the highest effect at 20 mg/kg. In all three assays, the flavone glucoside compound was more active at 20 mg/kg than indomethacin at 10 mg/kg.
Amphetamines analysis in wastewaters - method performance of solid phase extraction - higher performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry techniques (SPE-HPLC MS/MS)
(2011-08-23) Ajao, Usman L.; Mustapha, Aliru Olajide
Recently, many articles have reported different levels and distribution of amphetamine hitherto detected in biological fluids now appreciably found in aquatic environment at ng/L levels. Identification and measurement of amphetamine and its metabolites in surface and sewage waters using higher performance liquid chromatographic methodologies in the literatures now on current trend have provided information that are of scientific interest and effectively replaced immunological methods which only suggest the presence of these substances. Active research on both distribution and impacts of this important drug of abuse and related metabolites in the wastewaters are on-going.

Browse

Recent Submissions