Abasyn Journal of Life Sciences
Not a member yet
72 research outputs found
Sort by
Immunochromatographic Test and Third Generation ELISA for Elucidating the Existence and Risk Factors of Anti-HCV Antibodies among Blood Donors from Swabi Pakistan
No full textThis cross sectional study was designed to investigate the frequency and potential risk factors of anti-HCV among blood donors as well as to elucidate the most sensitive screening method for routine practice in Bacha Khan Medical Complex (BKMC) Shahmansoor and District Head Quarter (DHQ) Hospital Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. A total of 3390 male volunteer blood donors with age range 18-55 years were screened for HCV-Ab through an immuno-chromatographic test (ICT) and 3rd generation-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The sensitivity of ICT and ELISA was also evaluated by comparing their results. Among 3390 donors, 59 (1.74 %) were found positive for HCV-Ab through ICT and 62 (1.82 %) were HCV-Ab positive by ELISA assay. The highest frequency rate (40.3 %) was observed among donors within the age group of 18-30 years followed by (27.4 %) among 31-40 years, (17.7 %) among 41-50 years and the lowest frequency (14.5 %) was found among 51-55 years. Dental treatment (37.0 %) was significantly associated with anti-HCV seropositivity followed by blood transfusion (20.9 %), major surgery (14.5 %), travel abroad and unknown reason (11.2 %) for each and the lowest anti-HCV association was observed among donors who shaved by the barbers (4.8 %). The results from ICT and ELISA indicated that ELISA is a more sensitive, and reliable technique for routine screening of blood donors to control infectious diseases particularly HCV infection.
Bio efficacy of Eruca sativa oil against Callosobruchus chinensis on chickpea
Get PDFPulse beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis L. responsible for destroying qualitative and quantitative losses to most stored grains. Once the damage done by the beetle, the grains lose their nutritional and germination capacity and become unfit for either consumption. Seed treatment still mainly relies on heavy synthetic chemicals which cause residual effect and threaten public health. However, the natural plant products containing insecticidal activity have recently displayed a great scope as they tend to come up with low mammalian toxicity, less effect on environmental and broad public adoption. Therefore, an experiment was conducted with variable doses of Eruca sativa L. seed oil (0.5 ml, 1 ml, and 1.5 ml) against C. chinensis. The data were recorded for corrected mortality, repellent effects, and seed protectant at different intervals (24, 48, 72 hrs and 1 week). We found the higher corrected mortality (32.65%) at 1.5ml after 24 hrs. Later, the mortality percentage decreased at different intervals but remained higher at maximum dose of E. sativa. However, the overall highest mortality of C. chinensis was 50.00% at 1.5 ml and the lowest 41.00% at 0.5 ml. Meanwhile, the index showed repellent effect with R.I value <1 in all treatments at different intervals. The seed protectant data showed that the minimum number of 1.66±0.33 eggs laid on treated seeds at 1.5 ml and 8.00±1.15 eggs on untreated seeds in choice experiment. In total, maximum number of 17.33±4.93 eggs laid at 0.5 ml in choice experiment and minimum 4.83±1.51 eggs at 1.5 ml. However, in no choice experiment, the maximum number of 51.00±4.58 eggs on control treatment and minimum 0.33±0.33 eggs on 1.5 ml were laid by pulse beetle. The most effective dose of 1.5ml caused maximum mortality, repellent and seed protectant
Selenium resistant bacteria enhance Zea mays growth parameters under selenium stress
No full textHeavy metals normally accumulate in the environment and as a result they create various problems to life, especially to plants. In this study two selenium resistant bacteria, Bacillus pumils strain CrK08 and Bacillus licheniformis strain AsK03 were checked for their effect in enhancing growth of Zea mays in the clay pots experiment, under selenium stress. Both strains significantly promoted root length in control and in autoclaved soil. Number of roots from plant base was reduced in control and autoclave soil respectively. Moreover, the fresh weight and dry weight were reduced in control and autoclave soil plants. In selenium treated plants, fresh weight was high than in the non-treated plants. However, Strains also produced an increase in soluble protein content. Indole acetic acid (IAA) content was enhanced to and, while acid phosphatase activity was significantly lower in inoculated plants than the controls and peroxidase content reduced. Selenium content in control plants was high as compared to treated plants. So, these strains promote plant growth under Se stress (17 mg kg-1) in soil
A review regarding virology, etiology, prevalence and associated risk factors of Hepatitis A.
No full textHepatitis A is an infectious disorder of the liver prompted by Hepatovirus A virus (HAV). It is a kind of viral hepatitis. It has naked nucleocapsid virus with a single stranded, positive polarity RNA. It is devoid of virion polymerase and has a single serotype. Transmission is via fecal–oral route. In contrast to Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus, blood borne transmission of HAV is infrequent because viremia is short-term and of low titer. Mostly instances, have few or no signs, specifically in younger ones. The virus replicates in the gastrointestinal tract and then spreads to the liver during a short-term viremic period. HAV is not cytopathic for the hepatocyte. Hepatocellular injury is triggered by immune attack by the cytotoxic T cells. The time among the infection and signs, in patients that progress them, is among two and six weeks. When the signs occur, they commonly last 8 weeks and might encompass nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, pain in abdomen and fever. Around 10 to 15 percent of patients undergo a recurrence of signs at some stage in the six months after the preliminary infection. Acute liver failure may also seldom occur, with this being extra regular in elderly. No antiviral medication is available. The most suitable test to diagnose acute infection is IgM antibody. Isolation of the virus from clinical samples is not done. Vaccine consists of killed virus. Administration of immune globulin in the course of the incubation can alleviate the disease
Gloriosa superba L: A critical Review of Recent Advances
Get PDFGloriosa superba is a flowering plant belongs to Colchicaceae. It refers to full of glory', and the superba refers ‘superb’ referring to the outstanding red and yellow flowers. G. superba is a highly toxic plant, due to the presence of an alkaloid, ‘Colchicine’. Adequate ingestion of this alkaloid could cause fatalities to humans and animals. Despite its toxicity, G. superba considered as a medicinal plant because of its medicinal constituents and properties such as colchicine, gloriosine, pungent, bitter, acrid, heating, anthelmintic, laxative, alexiteric, and abortifacient. G. superba utilized for the treatment of snakebite, scorpion stings, parasitic skin disease, urological pains, colic, chronic ulcers, piles, gonorrhoea, gout, infertility, wounds, arthritis, cholera, kidney problems, itching, leprosy, cancer, sexually transmitted disease, and countless other diseases. This plant listed under the threatened category due to its indiscreet reaping from the wild as medicinal industries widely use it for its colchicine content. Field study and secondary sources were used to abridge the information on the recent advancement study of G. superba. In the present review, the information regarding the occurrence, botanical description, propagation, medicinal application pharmacological, ethnomedicinal, biological, and toxicological studies of G. superba and its recent advancement has been summarized. The detailed study of G. superba with current trends helps the researcher to focus on the future development needed for its conservation
Genetic variability and heritability estimates of morphological traits in F2 populations of rapeseed (Brassica carinata L.)
Get PDFThis study aimed to estimate genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance for morphological characters in Brassica carinata L. A total of 22 genotypes comprised of six parental lines and their 16 bulk F2 populations were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications at The University of Agriculture Peshawar during 2013-14. Data were recorded on days to 50% flowering, primary branches plant-1, main raceme length, pods on main raceme, pod length, number of seeds pod-1, 100-seed weight, and seed yield plant-1. Significant genetic differences were observed for all the traits studied. Among parental lines, C-93 performed better for primary branches plant-1 (11 branches), main raceme length (59.57 cm), pods on main raceme-1 (33 pods), and seeds pod-1 (15 seeds), C-95 for pod length (4.04 cm) and seed yield plant-1 (12.26 g). Among F2 populations, C-97 x C-88 performed better for main raceme length (73.20 cm), pods on main raceme (41 pods), C-88 x C-93 for pod length (4.95 cm), seeds pod-1 (18 seeds), and seed yield plant-1 (14.71 g). Moderate (30 < h2 ≤ 60) to high (h2 > 60) broad-sense heritability was observed for all morphological traits with maximum genetic advance, hence indicated that selection could be effective in the early generation for the improvements of these studied traits. Generally, cross combinations C-88 x C-93, C-97 x C-95, C-90 x C-93, and C-97 x C-88 performed better than their parental lines for morphological (primary branches plant-1, seeds pod-1, and seed yield plant-1) traits and could be exploited for varietal development in future brassica breeding programs
Antifungal resistance modulation of Aspergillus fumigatus isolates from brooder pneumonia affected birds by Eucalyptus globulus extracts
No full textBrooder pneumonia is a common respiratory problem during brooding period of poultry. It is most frequently caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. Use of azole drugs for treatment and prophylaxis results in resistance. The aim of this study was to determine whether the phytochemicals of Eucalyptus globulus are modulating resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus. Lung samples n = 50 of dead broiler chicks were collected from different farms of Lahore. Out of 50 lung samples 28 % (14) were considered positive for Aspergillus fumigatus after observing their macroscopic, microscopic characteristics and by performing PCR by amplifying ITS1-ITS4 gene (597 base pairs) and RodA gene (313 base pairs). Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion test was performed 14 isolates (100 %) were resistant towards both Fluconazole and Ketoconazole whereas 11 (78.57 %) were resistant towards Itraconazole. Eucalyptus globulus leaves were collected, and these were identified. Three solvent extracts were prepared. Maximum yield was of ethanolic extract. Antifungal activity was evaluated by agar well diffusion method. Highest antifungal activity was shown by Eucalyptus globulus Ethanol followed by chloroform and hexane extract showed no activity against any isolate then minimum inhibitory concentration of plant extracts that previously showed antifungal activity against isolates were evaluated by broth microdilution method. Modulation effect was checked by combining antifungal drug one by one with subinhibitory concentration of plant extract evaluated previously by broth microdilution method. 5 isolates were subjected into this experiment which are all sensitive towards Eucalyptus globulus ethanol and chloroform extracts tested previously in agar well diffusion test and MIC values were also evaluated. It was concluded that when Itraconazole was combined with E. globulus Ethanol extract then resistance was modified. Data of modulation was analyzed by One-way ANOVA and it reported P value of <0.05. It was synergistic inhibitory effect when Itraconazole was combined with Eucalyptus globulus Ethanol extract
Fungal Load, Coliform and Aflatoxins in Wheat Flour of Lahore Metropolitan City
Get PDFIn Pakistan, wheat flour is mostly utilized for making flat breads locally called chapattis. Other uses of wheat flour are in bakery products manufacturing. It is an important constituent of daily diet of people. Shelf life of wheat flour is one of the most important factors for its quality determination. Wheat flour is often tainted with pathogenic fungal species and their toxic secondary metabolites called Mycotoxins. The present study was designed to make a comparative analysis of Microbiological quality (fungal load and total coliform count) and detection of aflatoxins in raw and branded whole wheat flour samples of Lahore Metropolitan city. Total 100 samples were collected for determination of fungal load, coliform and aflatoxins. The Standardized methods were applied to count the colony forming units of fungal species and total coliform bacteria respectively. The results indicated both branded and raw whole wheat flour groups were of good quality for human consumption. However, the microbiological quality of branded whole flour was better than raw whole wheat flour. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in fungal load of raw and branded whole wheat flour. Similarly, coliform bacteria were only cultured form the samples of raw flour. In the last stage of study, aflatoxins level was analysed by using a commercially available kit. All the samples of both raw and branded whole wheat flours were negative for aflatoxins detection. The overall quality of raw and branded whole wheat flours in Lahore city is satisfactory for consumers
Identification, Screening, and Molecular Characterization of Bacterial Microbiota in the guts of Epinephelus sp.
Get PDFBacterial microbiota is predominantly present in all living organisms. Most of the bacteria present in the gut of the fish are contaminating the food chain. In the present study, we aimed to isolate and characterize the bacteria in the gut of Epinephelus sp. in the red sea of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Bacteria were isolated from the guts of 10 fish samples and were grown on Luria Bertani (LB) and nutrient agar media. Total thirteen bacterial colonies were screen out by morphological identification i.e., color, shape, structure, etc. which were further reduced to 7 colonies e.g., IF001, IF002, F003, IF004, F005, IF006, and IF007. The bacterial isolates were also identified through molecular identification using 16S-rDNA sequencing. The genomic DNA was isolated and was sequenced using the Sanger® sequencing method. BLAST alignment results that IF001 and IF002 were members Bacillus sp. IF003 was a strain of photobacterium damselae, IF004 and IF006 were strains of Rothia endophytica, IF005 was a strain of Acinetobacter bouvetiiand IF007 was belonged to Shewanella oneidensis. The molecular identification confirmed the identification of bacterial isolates in the Epinephelus sp. obtained from the red sea
Synthetic Biology: Approaches, Opportunities, Applications and Challenges
Get PDFSynthetic biology (SynBio) is a very vast field of research that produces new biological parts, appliances, and systems. It is the application of engineering principles to design and construct new bio-based biologicals, devices and systems that exhibit functions not present in nature or to redesign the existing systems to perform specific tasks. Synthetic biology varies from other disciplines including system biology, biotechnology and genetic engineering. For instance, while system biology focuses on obtaining a quantitative understanding of the naturally existing biology systems, the synthetic biology focuses on engineering, designing, and synthesis of new novel biological functions utilizing the biological information drawn from systems biology analysis. SB utilizes computer algorithms to alter genetic sequence before synthesizing them in the laboratory. Moreover, SB employed gene shuffling and refactoring tools that may alter thousands of genetic elements of an organism at once. In the present article, we aim to discuss the basic approaches of synthetic biology. Furthermore, the application of synthetic biology on biomedical science, drug discovery development, bioenergy and agriculture will also be discussed. Finally the challenges facing the researchers in the field of synthetic biology such as those technical, ethical and safety will be also highlighted