International Journal of Scientific Research in Biological Sciences
Not a member yet
697 research outputs found
Sort by
Tree Inventory Assessment in Religious Institution Compound and its Benefit for Environmental Management in the Case of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Get PDFTree inventory plays a crucial role to work out the number of trees by measuring the various trees attributes like tree height, tree DBH, tree canopy, and tree age. The study was accompanied to estimate the carbon stock using above and below-ground biomass of tree by identifying the tree species exists in the religious institutions and also its variation along the environmental gradient. The amount of total carbon stock in all religious institutions was 223.72 tons, the carbon stock range of Above-ground biomass was 124.1 – 1.4 tons and the range of carbon stock of below-ground biomass was also 24.84-0.28 tons. The current study shows that the number of trees, types of trees, and carbon stock value of all religious institutions were highly affected by human and environmental factors such as deforestation, altitude, and slope. The implication was religious institutions have deforested a lot of tree species for different purposes such as infrastructure expansion, income source, and firewood. The consequences of these decreased the number of tree species and carbon biomass in religious institutions may have influenced the environment of climate change
Evaluation of a Protective Effect of the Water Extract of Thymus Leaves Against Diclofenac Sodium-Induced Renal Toxicity in the Syrian Hamster
Get PDFDiclofenac sodium is a common analgesic and antipyretic drug which is safe in therapeutic doses but can produce life-threatening renal damages with toxic doses.The current study was designed to investigate the protective effects of aqueous extract of thyme leaves (Thymus Vulgaris) against diclofenac sodium-induced toxicity in Syrian hamsters. A total of 32 hamsters were divided equally into 4 major groups. Group I received distilled water (2 ml) daily, group II received thyme extract at a dose of 300 mg/kg b. wt /day, orally Mediated by tubular feeding for five weeks. group III received diclofenac sodium at a dose of 6 mg /kg b.wt three times a week without extract for five weeks, while group IV received diclofenac sodium plus thyme extract for five weeks. then, hamsters were sacrificed by ether anesthesia and blood samples were collected they were autopsied, and kidney tissue samples were prepared .The obtained results showed that, Administration of sodium diclofenac to hamsters induced marked disturbance of renal functions, characterized by a significant increase in the levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and potassium (p <0.001),while the sodium concentration (p <0.001) decreased in the third group compared to the control and the second groups. Histopathological changes showed that sodium diclofenac caused significant structural damages to kidneys and showed clear signs of acute cellular necrosis of the renal tubules and glomeruli.This was evidenced by the breakdown of cell membranes, dense cellular debris in the lumen of tubes and glomeruli, increased bowman area, and severe blood congestion.On the other hand,Oral co-administration of thyme extract with sodium diclofenac significantly decreased the level of ALP and potassium (p <0.001) and significantly increased the level of sodium in group IV animals compared to that in group III. Moreover,thyme extract also exhibited some improvement in the histological architecture of kidney that looked normal.
 
An Ergonomics Evaluation of Posture and Other Physical and Physiological Indices of Two Wheeler Garage Workers
Get PDFAs per various reports regarding the musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in various industries and different unorganized sectors, it has become the main force to drive this present study on two wheeler garage workers. To assess the discomfort feeling of garage workers in different organs at different time and to assess the work related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), this study has been undertaken. Pain feeling at different body parts, at different times and in relation with work schedule was also taken on the basis of Standardized Nordic Questionnaire. Body posture was also analyzed with the help of Ovako Working Posture Assessment System (OWAS). Other two assessment techniques such as Rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) and Rapid Entire body assessment (REBA) were also applied to assess the MSDs in present experimental group. BSA, BMI as well as weight of the experimental group are different from the control group in significant way. Besides this, pain in neck and elbow is also different from the control group in significant manner. Headache and pain sensation during work time is predominant among garage workers. No immediate correction is required for experimental group after analyzing their posture by the methods of OWAS, RULA and REBA. No immediate threat regarding the MSDs among garage workers are found in spite of little pain sensation observed among garage workers. Proper training and rest period during work schedule may be recommended to solve the problems found in this study.
 
Chronic Kidney Disease among HIV-infected children receiving Anti-retroviral therapy at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital in Uganda: A cross-sectional study
Get PDFChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing epidemic among children globally. There is limited data on CKD among children living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. We determined the prevalence and factors associated with CKD in HIV infected children through a cross-sectional study at Uganda-Cares antiretroviral therapy (ART) Clinic in Masaka Regional Referral Hospital. Data was collected on social-demographic and clinical factors of the study population to assess factors predisposing them to CKD. The study population?s serum creatinine levels were measured followed by computation of estimated glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR) using the Schwartz formula. The prevalence of CKD among 138 HIV infected children was 16.7 % (95%CI 11.4 -24.1). All participants were aged between 2 and 17 years. School going children were 82% less likely to have CKD as compared to their counterparts that were not schooling, (aOR= 0.18, 95% CI 0.05- 0.67). On the contrary, the children whose parents/ guardians had acquired secondary school education were 7 times more likely to have CKD compared to parents who had not attained any level of formal education, (aOR= 6.9, 95 % CI 1.27-37.9). Additionally, children who had been on ART for over 5 years were 59% less likely to have CKD, (aOR= 0.41, 95%CI 0.15-1.13). CKD is high among HIV infected children. Those HIV infected children who had been on ART for less than 5 years; those not schooling as well as those whose parents/guardians attained secondary school education were at risk of developing CKD. Measuring regular eGFR early for regular screening of CKD should be advocated for HIV-infected children.
 
An Economical, Agri-Compliant and Environmentally Sustainable ‘Sponge Culture’ Method for Large-Scale Production of Actinopigments from soil Actinomycetes
Get PDFActinomycetes are potent producers of color and antimicrobial pigments, having found applications in the pharmaceutical and food sectors. Unfortunately, industrial fermentation of actinopigments is not carried out on large-scale due to obstacles faced in their culture, product harvest, and expenditure. Additionally, the use of rice, wheat bran, and other food-based culture substrates limit the exploration of actinopigments only to the laboratory. To overcome such hurdles, we describe here a novel ?sponge culture? method for the culture of Actinomycetes and extraction of color pigments. In the sponge culture method, a polyurethane sponge was used as an inert substrate for attachment and propagation of the isolates in the form of a modified submerged fermentation technique. Three soil Streptomyces spp., brown, black and yellow, identified from mycelial morphology and biochemical tests, were inoculated in sponge culture and rice bed culture. Actinopigments, extracted in organic solvents, were obtained in solution by sponge culture, and as a fine powder in rice bed culture. Pigments extracted from the sponge culture method were read in a UV visible spectrophotometer to record their λmax. The two culture-extraction methods were compared based on ease of extraction, expenditure, efficiency, being environment, and agriculture friendly. The sponge culture method proved not only superior to rice culture but also economical. With this method, the industrialization of actinopigments appears practical, profitable, and consumer-friendly. This technique wins the approval of agriculture society and environmentalists, discouraging the use of food-based substrates and promoting the recycling of plastic sponge for a cleaner environment
 
Simultaneous Identification of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli Using Thermostabilized Multiplex PCR Formulation
Get PDFThe study was aimed to develop a multiplex PCR (mPCR) coupled with the thermostabilization process for the simultaneous detection of major genes of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) with internal amplification control (IAC) to avoid false-negative results. The most important virulence-associated genes of major pathotypes are targeted in the mPCR assay. The genes include aggR, eltA, bfpA, vt2 and ipaH along with an IAC. Further, to enhance the application of mPCR, the master mix containing all reagents except template DNA was lyophilized with an appropriate lyoprotectant and storage stabilization studies were carried out to evaluate the performance of the lyophilized master mix. The assay was able to detect 103 CFU/mL for the simultaneous detection of targeted genes and 104 CFU/g bacterial load in spiked stool samples. The shelf-life of lyophilized master mix with a suitable lyoprotectant was found to be six months at 4 oC and 1.5 months at ambient temperature and could be stored at ambient temperature without a cold-chain facility. Considering the importance of DEC in the field of diagnostics, rapid, robust, user-friendly detection platforms are essential to prevent any outbreaks. The results obtained in the present study supported that it could be used as a highly reliable diagnostic tool in point-of-care laboratories and also field-based investigations. Besides, the developed assay can also cut down costs in terms of storage and transportation suggesting a potential field application format.
 
Diversity and Distribution of Marine Phytoplankton along the Coastal Areas of Gujarat, India
Get PDFPhytoplanktons are the primary producer of marine ecosystems and contribute to the primary productivity of aquatic environment. The present study was carried out at 16 different locations of Gujarat coast to ascertain the diversity & distribution of marine phytoplankton. During the study, a total 122 species of phytoplankton belonging to five different classes namely Bacillariophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Miozoaphyceae, Chlorophyceae and Charophyceae were reported from coastline of Gujarat. Of this, the highest species diversity was found at Gulf of Kachchh followed by Gulf of Khambhat > Saurashtra coast > South Gujarat coast. The maximum number of species diversity was contributed by the class Bacillariophyceae (87%) with 106 species; while the least number of species was recorded for the class Charophyceae (1 species).
 
Relationships among Drought Tolerance Indices and Yield Characters of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)
Get PDFDrought is an abiotic factor capable of stunting cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) productivity. Hence, genetic variation, heritability and interrelationships of leaf relative water content (RWC), yield characters and drought tolerance indices (DTIs) were examined in 24 genotypes of cowpea in the screen house in pots under two watering regimes; 500 ml/pot daily and once in 10 days for control and drought stress, respectively. For all traits, there were substantial variations amongst genotypes, treatments and their interaction. Genotypes also differed significantly for all the DTIs. DTIs and all traits in both conditions had high heritability (>60%) except RWC and seeds/pod under control. Genetic gain (GAM) was high (>20%) for all traits and DTIs except RWC under control, making selection for these traits and indices effective. PCA and biplot of PCs 1 and 2 accounted for 75.5% of the total variability with important contributors (loadings > 0.40) like pods/plant, seeds/plant and seed yield in both conditions and DTIs included in PCs 1 and 2. Genotypes G20, G19 and G11 were considered the best in terms of yield above average (>18.94 g) in control and (>3.98 g) under drought stress, while G2 was more stable (13.79 g and 10.71 g) under both conditions. PCA, biplot and Pearson correlation affirmed that the top indices for pinpointing drought tolerant cowpea genotypes were STI, GMP, YI, YSI and DRI. Although seed yield under control condition was not correlated with seed yield under drought stress, under both conditions, GMP and STI had positive correlation with seed yield as well as with YSI, YI and DRI
 
Variation in Epifloral Community Composition according to heavy metals in sediment of Tapi, Surat, India
Get PDFEpifloral communities play a significant role in monitoring the environmental pollution. The study was undertaken to understand the epifloral community composition in relation to heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cd) in sediment at different sites of Tapi River. During the study total 23 species of 3 group of epifloral community were identified Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae and Cyanophyceae. Among these groups Chlorophyceae were most abundant in both season and cyanophyceae were reported least dominant at all the sites. Number of species of Bacillariophyceae was reported higher during wet season at all sampling sites. According to heavy metal concentration epifloral community composition was also changed.
 
Bacterial taxonomic representation of Hypothyroid Breast Milk and Infant Faecal samples with OTU Heat Maps and Rare Faction Curves
Get PDFThe alterations of gut bacterial communities provoke disease conditions in humans. Gut bacterial dysbiosis is one of the causes of hypothyroidism. Maternal gut bacteria migrate towards the mammary glands via an endogenous cellular route and later inhabit the gastrointestinal tract of the breast-fed neonate through the entero-mammary pathway. So, it is necessary to expose the abundance and richness of bacteria inhabiting both in breast milk and infant’s gut. The study showed that the high number of OTUs (Operational Taxonomic Units) related to the many classes of bacteria and rarefaction curves related to some fraction of unidentified species diversity in all the samples.