Advanced Journal of Graduate Research
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Histopathological Effects of Seed Oil of Moringa oleifera Lam. on Albino Mice Infected with Plasmodium berghei (NK65)
Get PDFThe study assessed the histopathological effects of seed oil of Moringa oleifera on albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. This work included a good idea in the treatment of a causing agent of malaria with Moringa seed oil as bio-natural treatment. Thirty-five mice were divided equally and grouped into five. The mice were acclimatised for seven days and thereafter infected with 0.2 mL Plasmodium berghei (NK65) parasite. The parasites were allowed to establish in the mice for five days before commencement of treatment. Group A - negative control (untreated), group B - positive control (10mg/kg chloroquine treated), group C, D and E were respectively treated with 800, 400, 200 mg/kg seed oil of Moringa oleifera. By oral administration of 0.2 mL of treatment dose, treatment was carried out in four consecutive days and the mice were sacrificed five days thereafter. The liver and kidney extracted from the mice were processed for histological studies. Findings revealed group A had the least packed cell volume (PCV) of 22.23±1.98% and group B had the most PCV of 48.31±1.55% after treatment. The PCV in groups C, D and E were 45.34±1.11%, 41.40±1.00% and 39.19±1.82% respectively after treatment. Coagulative necrosis and inflammation characterised the liver and kidney of mice in groups C and D. Lesions were observed in all the liver of mice treated with the seed oil of M. oleifera and chloroquine. Overall, it can be inferred that the higher the PCV of mice after treatment, the higher the performance of chemotherapeutic agents against parasitaemia. Thus, at 800, 400 and 200 mg/kg dosage, the seed oil of Moringa oleifera could possibly treat malaria. However, administration of a higher dose of the oil and chloroquine should be with caution as both drugs may pose adverse effects on the kidney and liver
Influence of Weight Bearing Dorsiflexion (WBDF) on Ankle Injury History Among Semi-professional Recreational Basketball Players
Get PDFAnkle injuries are one of the most common occurrences in the field of sports. Weight bearing dorsiflexion range can be an effecting factor in ankle injuries. Weight bearing lunge test is used to assess weight bearing dorsiflexion. By using this test as a standard testing protocol, it is possible to minimize development of further sport related ankle injuries. But this test for basketball players with ankle injuries has not been studied yet. The current study will aim to examine the weight bearing dorsiflexion of basketball players related to their gender, ankle injury history and leg dominance. A quasi-experimental design study was conducted. Thirty-four (34) participants were recruited and initially and two (2) were excluded. 18 participants were male and 14 were female basketball players in Colombo Blues and Kotelawala Defence University basketball teams. The average of age of the sample was 21.8 years. Demographic data, information about training time, injury history of the participants was obtained using an interview administered assessment form. The Weight Bearing Dorsiflexion was measured using digital inclinometer. Findings indicated that the weight bearing dorsiflexion range is smaller than that of males (p>0.05). There was a significant difference in weight bearing dorsiflexion and ankle injury history (p<0.01) among players. Significant differences were seen in influence in leg dominance to weight bearing dorsiflexion (p<0.05). This is the first study that is investigated weight bearing dorsiflexion among basketball players in Sri Lanka. No significant difference was found between gender and weight bearing dorsiflexion. A significant difference was determined between ankle injury history and weight bearing dorsiflexion. Furthermore, a significant difference was found in leg dominance and weight bearing dorsiflexion
The Use of Microbial Inoculants in Crop Production for Food Security Sustainability
Get PDFIncreasing human population, war, climate change, herdsmen-farmers clashes, banditry, terrorism, political unrest affected crop production negatively. These factors widen the gap between food production supply and its demand. In an attempt to fill this gap, agrochemicals were used to increase crop yield to meet the food demand of the ever-increasing population. Agrochemical’s introduction was accepted initially due to their quick and nonspecific actions. Decades later, these agrochemicals begin to pose threats to human and livestock health, causing land degradation, ecosystem imbalance, reduction in soil fertility and productivity. To avert the negative effects of agrochemicals on food and feed products, soil, water quality, and the environment. The use of a safe and eco-friendly alternative was developed. Microbial inoculants serve to be the best substitute for agrochemicals with substantial benefits in sustainable crop production and environmental sustainability. This review aims at updating available information on the benefits of using microbial inoculants in boosting crop production and the strategies to adopt for its effectiveness
Evaluation of Fungal Activity Through In Silico Analysis of Medicinal Plants Against Exophiala Jeanselmei
Get PDFPhaeohyphomycosis is a fungal infectious disease commonly called as dermal problem which is caused by dematiaceous fungi, Exophiala jeanselmei. Chitin was the main component of fungal cell and no effective inhibitor was identified still in chitin synthase I. The protein chitin synthase I play a major role in drug metabolism as well as signal processing molecule and therefore have been targeted in the present study. The medicinal plants being a solution for several human ailments, also act as a reservoir for secondary metabolites, has taken its credit as a cure from our ancient times. The biological activity of the Myricetin was analysed using the pass online tool. The value of Probability to be active (Pa) = 0.241 Probability to be inactive (Pi) = 0.021. The several compounds retrieved from the plants Acalypha indica, Achyranthus aspera, Brassica niger, Cassia auriculata, Cleome gynandra, Clitoria ternatea, Ipomoea hederaceae, Leucas aspera, Mimosa pudica, Phyllanthus niruri, Ocimum basilicum, Ocimum sanctum, Tridax procumbens, Vitex negundo and Waltheria indica were analyzed for its possible significant interaction with the target protein using molecular docking studies. The compound Myricetin had Binding energy of -7.32 Kcal/mol and formed hydrogen bonds with the residue HIS 29 showing the bond length of 1.8 Å and residue THR 3 showing the bond length of 1.9 Å. The future perspective of the study is to determine the stability of the protein-compound interaction through docking studies
Binding Partners of 14-3-3 (YWHA) Protein Isoforms among Mammalian Species, Tissues, and Developmental Stages
Get PDFThe 14-3-3 (YWHA or Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase/Tryptophan 5-Monooxygenase Activation proteins) are a family of abundant, highly conserved, ubiquitous, acidic, and homologous proteins expressed in most eukaryotes ranging from plants to animals, including humans, important in regulating a multitude of cellular processes such as signal transduction, cell cycle, protein trafficking, metabolism, apoptosis, and development. Mammals have been noted contain seven isoforms of these proteins (beta, epsilon, eta, gamma, sigma, tau/theta, and zeta), encoded by separate genes. The 14-3-3 proteins are known to interact with over 200 binding partners in isoform-specific, tissue-specific, and developmental stage-specific ways. The present review article encapsulates previously published research articles that report 14-3-3-interactors, and investigates isoform-specific interactions within a wide array of mammalian species, cells, tissues, organs, and developmental stages. Of the hundreds of binding partners of 14-3-3 discovered till date, this paper focuses on analyzing selected, representative interactors with key functional roles. The study would help a better understanding of isoform-specific interactions of this critical protein family in mammals
Human Computer Interaction – Hand Gesture Recognition
Get PDFThe creation of intelligent and natural interfaces between users and computer systems has received a lot of attention. Several modes of knowledge like visual, audio, and pen can be used individually or in combination have been proposed in support of this endeavour. Human communication relies heavily on the use of gestures to communicate information. Gesture recognition is a subject of science and language innovation that focuses on numerically quantifying human gestures. It is possible for people to communicate properly with machines using gesture recognition without the use of any mechanical devices. Hand gestures are a form of nonverbal communication that can be applied to several fields, including deaf-mute communication, robot control, human–computer interaction (HCI), home automation, and medical applications. Many different methods have been used in hand gesture research papers, including those focused on instrumented sensor technology and computer vision. To put it another way, the hand sign may be categorized under a variety of headings, including stance and motion, dynamic and static, or a combination of the two. This paper provides an extensive study on hand gesture methods and explores their applications
Family Planning Utilization among PLWHIV Attending TASO Masaka: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study
Get PDFPeople living with HIV (PLWHIV) need family planning (FP) services to avert the spread of HIV and eliminate mother to child transmission (MTCT). Besides, family planning services greatly reduce the incidence of vertical transmission reducing new cases of pediatric infections. The aim of this study was to establish the factors influencing the utilization of FP services among PLWHIV affiliated to The AIDS Service Organization (TASO) Masaka responsible for the unmet need for FP utilization. A cross-sectional study with quantitative data analysis was used. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data in line with the set objectives. Categorical data were presented as frequency percent and continuous data as a mean ±standard deviation. The data were analyzed with the statistical software called Medcalc software v. 19.5.6. Analysis was done using the test of proportion at 95% confidence interval and a P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The study had significantly more females, married, and of low education level (p<0.05). Medium parity of 1-3, a spouse being comfortable with a partner using FP, knowledge about FP were significantly associated with FP use (P<0.05). The Majority of the participants were using FP methods (P<0.05) with injections being the most used method (P<0.05). The Majority of the clients would encourage others to use FP (P<0.05) and HIV had no effect on FP use (P<0.05). Culture and society beliefs did not affect FP utilization (P<0.05). Being close to the service provider, hospitality of the service provider, information about the benefits and risks associated with FP use were significantly associated with utilization of FP methods (P<0.05). However, the overall utilization of FP was low (58.9%) and was largely affected by personal factors other than community or service delivery factors. Future research should focus on the putative personal factors that may prevent the utilization of FP methods
Influence of Feeding Gases on the Composition of Plasma Activated Water
Get PDFAs we are all aware that “PLASMA” is the fourth state of matter and about 99% of the universe comprises of plasma. Plasma invariably consists of essential reactive oxygen and nitrogen species which are necessary for agricultural purposes thus making it an interesting subject for research. When water is exposed to plasma arc, its composition changes and forms Plasma Activated Water (PAW). Research studies have proved PAW to be an effective disinfectant and also providing imperative nutrients to plants. This paper reviews the impact of feeding gases such as Air, Ammonia, Argon, Nitrogen, Helium, Oxygen and Carbon dioxide on PAW composition. Hydrogen peroxide, nitrates, nitrites and pH value are the four key aspects of PAW which decide its influence. H2O2 helps in bacterial inactivation whereas nitrates and nitrites are a source of nutrients. It is known that nitrites decompose rapidly in water and form compounds that promote bacterial inhibition. Here the impact of using Air, Ammonia, Argon, Nitrogen, Helium, Oxygen and Carbon dioxide is being reviewed and studied. More specifically, the concentration of major Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species (RONS) formed in the process and the physical properties of PAW at various atmospheres are is discussed in detail
Antioxidative Potential and Phytochemical Content of Detox Water
Get PDFDetox water is a fusion of different fruits immersed in water. It has been shown to possess many health benefits including toxin removal, increased immune function, weight loss and hydration. The following research aimed to extend previous investigation into the beneficial properties of detox water by determining the antioxidant potential and phytochemical content of water infused with a combination of Valencia orange (Citrus sinensis) and Fuji apple (Malus domestica) in different ratios. The three trails studied were 25:75 (T1), 50:50 (T2) and 75:25 (T3) Apple: Orange ratios. The antioxidant activity, total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were assayed using the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl- DPPH assay, the Folin Ciocalteu assay and the aluminum chloride colorimetric assay respectively. The assays were carried out on water samples taken at 0.5, 1,2,4,6 and 8 hours after infusion, and on the fruit residue. Vitamin C concentration of the water and fruit residue were determined by titration against potassium iodide at the eight- hour of infusion. The antioxidant, TPC and TFC values of water samples increased with infusion time. At the eight-hour, the antioxidant potential of the water samples ranged from 74.45% (T1) - 68.16% (T3). The TPC, TFC and Vitamin C values for all three trails were found to be significantly different (p<0.05), with TPC values of 189.01 µg GAE/ml sample (T1), 172.10 µg GAE/ml sample (T2) and 144.82 µg GAE/ml sample (T3); TFC values were 32.11 µg QE/ml sample (T1), 25.24 µg QE/ml sample (T2) and 17.62 µg QE/ml sample (T3). Vitamin C values were 237.76 µg vitamin C/ml sample (T1), 161.44 µg vitamin C/ml sample (T2) and 114.48 µg vitamin C/ml sample (T3). The fruit residues possessed very low antioxidant potential and phytochemical content. The study has proven that detox water possesses beneficial properties due to its high phytochemical content
Predicting Performance of Briquette Made from Millet Bran: A Neural Network Approach
Get PDFMillet bran possesses good fuel quality and can be successfully used as a professional feedstock for producing solid biofuel. In this paper, a framework for developing an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to estimate the performance of millet bran briquettes is presented by using experimental data to train, test, and validate the ANN. With the capacity of the developed multi-layer ANN, the effects of moisture content, temperature, and applied pressure on the density, durability, and impact resistance are predicted. Different cases considering three parameters as inputs to the ANN, namely, moisture content, temperature, and applied pressure were analyzed. The outputs of the ANN are the density, durability, and impact resistance for each of the input parameters separately. By comparing with the experimental values, it is shown that the ANN-based method can predict the data well with a Mean Square Error (MSE) value ~ 0.2%. Further, Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) model is used to check the efficiency of ANN prediction from which it is shown that the proposed ANN-based method provides useful guidance for the prediction of the physical parameters efficiently, with the least deviation and high accuracy