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Primer Design Using Polymerase Chain Reaction for SNPs Analysis in SLC22A1 rs622342 Encoding OCT1 as Metformin Main Transporter
Get PDFOrganic Cation Transporter 1 (OCT1) is the primary transporter of metformin mainly located in hepatocytes, which plays an important role in metformin action to inhibit gluconeogenesis so as to reduce blood glucose. Genetic polymorphism of SLC22A1 that encodes OCT1, one of which is rs622342, has been widely reported and proven to decrease the antidiabetic effect of metformin. This study aimed to design primers and to obtain an optimum condition for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process that can detect the genetic polymorphism of SLC22A1 rs622342. Primers were computationally designed in primer 3 webpage and analyzed with Primer BLAST and Oligo Analyzer. Optimization of PCR condition was conducted for temperatures of denaturation, annealing, and elongation as well as for the number of cycles in PCR process. Sensitivity test was performed on PCR condition using a variety of volumes and DNA template qualities undergoing multiple freeze-thaw cycles. The obtained pair, forward primer (5’- CAG AGA GAA TCA GTG AGC TGT G-3’) and reverse primer (5’- CCC AGG CTG GTC TTT TTA AG-3’), was proven to be capable of amplifying DNA sequence containing SNPs in rs622342 at 96°C denaturation, 60°C annealing, and 72°C elongation temperatures with a 30-cycle iteration. Such PCR condition could amplify DNA with 0.2 µL of template volume and 7 freeze-thaw cycles. Therefore, in addition to the selected primer pairs and PCR condition to analyze SNPs in rs622342, this study also recommends that the volume of DNA template having undergone multiple freeze-thawing be increased if the amplicon PCR products are unqualified
Pedagogical Significance of Natural Language Programming in Introductory Programming
Get PDFLearning programming is hard for novice students. Complicated syntax and semantic of programming languages and lack of previous knowledge are the contributing factors behind the hardness of programming. Natural programming language allows to program in a natural language and thereby ease the programming. In this paper, it is ascertained whether natural programming language is fruitful in learning the elementary programming concepts and supportive in preparing students for introductory programming courses. The discussion included in this paper can be used to design supportive programming languages and formulating effective courses and learning material to ameliorate performance of students’ in learning of introductory programming environments
Spatio-Temporal and Physiographical Study of the Abandoned Sutlej River: A Case of Jhangi Wala, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
Get PDFRivers are the sign of prosperity, the hub of the economy and act as lifeline for the areas from where they flow. Rivers help in irrigation, ground water recharge, upgrading water quality, maintaining soil fertility, fostering forests. They also support in stabilizing industries, establishing cities and towns. Revirs are the sources of energy generation, enhancing tourism, managing wetlands, boosting fishing, avoiding desertification, droughts, famine and empowering people by providing employment opportunities. Rivers might stop flowing in any area through climatic changes, river piracy, and upper riparian monopoly. Sutlej River is now not flowing in Pakistan due to damming at its upper riparian (India) after the Indus Basin Water Treaty. In this paper, efforts are made to know about evolutionary processes through which Sutlej River passed from the old days and its present cruel and politicized abundance by the upper riparian. The main objective of the paper is to furnish a preliminary data base about Pakistan side (lower riparian) of the Sutlej River. Fact and figures used are mainly from the secondary sources and few primary sources and direct observations. By exploring and knowing about its spatial pattern, temporal evolutions, geographical, geological and physiographical changes and all the processes concerned to the river, it will be possible for us to educate our future generation about the conversion of past mighty and splendid Sutlej River into an abandoned River
Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of a Salt Tolerant α-Amylase Producing Isolate NH-25
Get PDFHalophiles are considered as important sources of extremozymes that are not only salt tolerant but can catalyze reactions efficiently under harsh conditions of various industrial processes. Among industrially important enzymes alpha amylase is used in many industries such as starch, pharmaceutical, detergent, paper, food, and textile. Due to wide applications there is a continuous need for novel sources of the enzyme to be discovered. One of the new variant from various amylase producing isolates of marine samples of Arabian Sea, an industrial dumping site and a rich natural source, particularly for microbes, a salt tolerant α-amylase producer was studied. This isolate based on cultural characteristics, biochemical tests and molecular characterization inferred from 16s rDNA sequencing identified as Bacillus subtilis NH-25
Direct Determination of Selenium in Serum Matrix by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry: Application on Healthy Individuals from Algeria
Get PDFSelenium is a trace element implicated significantly in oxidative stress in biological systems. In this work, a direct method for selenium determination in serum samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with Zeeman background correction is proposed.Serum samples were five-fold diluted in a 0.14% HNO3 and 0.2% Triton X-100 solution. Aliquots of 20 µL of the diluted serum samples were directly introduced into transversely heated graphite tubes. A total of 5 µg Pd and 3 µg Mg(NO3)2 was used as chemical modifier. Optimization of heating program was conducted by varying pyrolysis and atomization characteristic values. The optimal conditions were found to be 1400 and 2000 °C for pyrolysis and atomization temperatures respectively and 11 seconds for pyrolysis hold time.The standard additions method was employed for calibration. Intra-day and inter-day validation using quality control samples at each point of the addition calibration curve were performed. Good accuracy, precision and recovery were achieved with the proposed method (less than 5% for accuracy and precision). A characteristic mass of 92.550 pg, a limit of detection of 4.010 ppb and a limit of quantification of 13.375 ppb in undiluted serum samples were obtained.Several reference values of serum selenium concentrations were reported. As an application of the present method, selenium levels were determined in serum samples collected from 20 healthy individuals from Northern-Center of Algeria. Selenium concentrations ranged from 86.883 to 133.955 ppb with a mean value of 110.824±11.898 ppb
Antihyperglicemic and Antioxidant Potential of Aloe vera Juice Supplementation in the Type-II Diabetic Rats Model
Get PDFTo evaluate the potential effects of Aloe vera supplementation on blood glucose and antioxidant enzymes (Glutathione peroxidase, GPx; Superoxide dismutase, SOD) as well as lipid peroxides (Malondialdehyde, MDA) in the kidneys of experimental type-II Diabetic rats model. This was an experimental study with post-test only control group study design. Type-II diabetes rats were induced by streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, ip) and nicotinamide (230 mg/kg, ip) to Wistar rats. The diabetic rats were randomized into three groups, as follows: (i) Diabetic control rats (received CMC-Na 1 % vehicle only); (ii). Diabetic rats received glibenclamide 0,18 mg/200g orally once daily; (iii) diabetic rats group received glibenclamide (0,18 mg/200g body weight) as well as Aloe vera juice supplementation (3,6 mL/200 g body weight) orally once daily for 30 days. Rats fasted over night and the blood was withdrawn by retro-orbital puncture under light ether anesthesia on the pre-induction and 1st, 7th, 14th and 28th post induction to determine blood glucose. The kidney tissues of rats were taken under anesthesia at the end of 30 days. In the third group showed the decrease of blood glucose level significantly (
Ethnomedicinal Uses of Fabaceae Species for Respiratory Infections and Related Symptoms in the Limpopo Province, South Africa
Get PDFPurpose: The present study investigated utilisation of Fabaceae species as herbal medicines for respiratory infections and related symptoms in the Limpopo Province, South Africa.Methods: Information on Fabaceae species used as herbal medicines against respiratory infections was gathered using semi-structured questionnaires during face-to-face interviews with 240 Pedi speaking traditional healers (THs) from May to July 2017. Voucher specimens of utilized plant species were collected and their identities and scientific names authenticated by a plant taxonomist at the University of Limpopo’s Larry Leach Herbarium.Results: Twenty-five plant species belonging to 16 genera were used by THs in treating 13 respiratory infections. Majority of the species (64.0%, n=16) were multi-used while 36.0% (n=9) treated a single condition each. Plants which showed the highest fidelity level (FL) scores included Acacia senegal (chronic cough=FL; 32.8, chest pain=FL; 32.8, tuberculosis=FL; 32.8), Dichrostachys cinerea (tuberculosis= FL; 100) and Acacia erioloba (pneumonia=FL; 92.7). These species were also characterized by high use value (UV) indices of 2.5, 0.82 and 0.58, respectively.Conclusion: Some of the plants recorded in this study are reported in literature to have potent biological activities against diverse pathogens which cause respiratory infections and perceived symptoms
Prevalence and Incidence of Staphylococcus aureus from Wound of Different Animal Species
Get PDFThe prevalence incidence and biochemical characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from wounds of buffalos, goats, dogs, donkeys and chickens were studied during present indigestion.The highest infection of Staphylococcus aureus was found in wound samples of buffalos (70.00%). as compared to goat, (33%), dog, (3%) donkey (40%) and chicken, (46.66%) respectively. The overall pure samples with Staphylococcus auerus from the animals was recorded as 39.13% while mixed infection was observed as 34.78%. The shape of Staphylococcus auerus isolated from buffalos, goat, and chicken were cocci, spherical, round in shape and characterized as G+ve. The Staphylococcus auerus isolated from all the animals were non-motile. It is concluded that highest infections of Staphylococcus aureus was found in buffalo (70.00%), whereas highest number of Staphylococcus aureus bacterial specie was observed as compared to other bacterial species
Correlation Structure of Solar Radio Bursts in Accordance with Solar Activity
Get PDFSun is the nearest star that employs us an opportunity to study the behavior of celestial bodies and their influence on Earth’s atmosphere. This paper investigates the dynamics of Solar Radio Bursts (SRB) with respect to their frequencies type II, type III and Mixed type in accord with Sun Spot Number (SSN) over a span of (1996-2010) base over monthly values. Data from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Centre were used in this study. This period covers one full and two partial solar cycles. The ionosphere plays a significant role in radio wave communication, therefore the critical frequency of F2 layer (foF2), Maximum electron density (NmF2) Plasma frequency (fP) and Sudden Ionosphere Disturbance (SID) also been included. In various ionospheres quantifications, solar activity such as SSN and 10.7 cm radio flux were used. However SRB influence being considered as a separate variable has not been investigated. The relationship of SRB with Solar Cycle and a comparative study of the influence of these solar variables on ionosphere F2 layer have investigated. The model equations are developed between those variables that have a significant relationship. These equations may be helpful to forecast perturbations in respect of the solar activity
An Empirical Analysis of a Process Industry to Explore the Accident Causation Factors: A Case Study of a Textile Mill in Pakistan
Get PDFIndustrial revolutions not only improved the general lifestyle of individuals but also brought an increase in the diversity of the manufactured goods. This diversification involved use of advanced technology and complex methods that entailed dangerous conditions. According to international labor organization, occupational accidents cause death of more than two million individuals each year in different industries. Process industries are complex in nature and tend to lead to more accidents. In Pakistan among the process industries, textile mills are the most accident prone industries in recent times. Therefore, an empirical analysis of a textile process industry has been done using structural equation modelling to examine the interactions between the contributory factors of accidents. Results revealed that unsafe acts are a major contributor to human error, equipment error and unsafe environment that in turn lead to the calamities and disasters that can be avoided with proper safety measures in place