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Effect of age on the Br, Fe, Rb, Sr, and Zn concentrations in human prostatic fluid investigated by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescent microanalysis
Get PDFThe effect of age on Br, Fe, Rb, Sr, and Zn concentrations in human prostatic fluid was investigated by 109Cd radionuclide-induced energy dispersive X-ray fluorescent microanalysis. Specimens of expressed prostatic fluid were obtained from 51 men (mean age 51 years, range 18-82 years) with apparently normal prostates using standard rectal massage procedure. Mean values (M ± SΕΜ) for concentration of trace elements (mg·l-1) in human prostate fluid were: Br 3.58±0.59, Fe 9.04±1.21, Rb 1.10±0.08, Sr 1.08±0.17, and Zn 573±35. An age-related increase in Zn content and decrease in Br and Fe concentration was observed.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.144721
Orthodontic anomalies in mixed dentition
Get PDFAim: To estimate the frequency of orthodontic anomalies in the period of mixed dentition in children, and to highlight the importance of prompt treatment in order to prevent more serious disorders of the child oral health.
Materials and methods: For accomplishing the goal we’ve conducted systematic and control check-ups on children at the age of 9; 95 children from urban areas, and 68 from rural areas.
Results: Of 95 analyzed children from urban areas with ethnic Macedonian population, 81 have an orthodontic anomaly. Nearly half of them i.e. 39 have mobile appliances. The most common anomaly are protrusion of teeth standing at 28.3%, a deep bite with 21% and crowding with 17.2%. Of 68 analyzed children from rural areas of ethnic Albanians, 54 have an orthodontic anomaly, while only 3 children wear mobile appliances. The most common anomalies are both crowding and maxillary protrusion of teeth with an equal 27.7%. If we compare the results: the occurrence of orthodontic anomalies is slightly higher in the Macedonian population.
Conclusion: Orthodontic anomalies are diagnosed during regular systematic dental check-ups for children aged 7-13. The period of mixed dentition, which is characterized by an intense growth of the jaws, is ideal for orthodontic treatment. The parents have opportunities to inform themselves of the orthodontic anomaly of their children and promptly visit an orthodontist. With properly conducted activities on behalf of the preventive teams, we can severely decrease the percentage of children with orthodontic irregularities.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.122730
Effect of Aloe vera gel on some haematological parameters and serum electrolytes in high salt loaded Wistar rats
Get PDFThis study investigated the effect of Aloe vera gel on some haematological parameters and serum electrolytes in high salt loaded rats. Twenty (20) male Wistar rats (180-250 g) were randomly assigned into 4 groups (n=5): Control- received 0.2 ml normal saline; Aloe-received 600 mg/kg of Aloe vera gel orally once daily; Salt-fed (SF) received high salt diet (8% NaCl in feed + 1% NaCl in H2O); Saltfed-treated (SF+Aloe) received high salt diet + Aloe vera gel. All groups had access to rat feed and water throughout the duration (six weeks) of treatment. Blood samples were collected from each animal via cardiac puncture for analysis. Red blood cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and packed cell volume (PCV) were significantly (p<0.05) increased in SF and SF+Aloe groups compared with control and Aloe groups. Total white blood cell count was significantly (p<0.001) decreased in SF group compared with control and Aloe groups and increased (p<0.001) in SF+Aloe group compared with SF group. Neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were significantly increased and decreased respectively in SF+Aloe group compared with control (p<0.01), Aloe (p<0.05) and SF (p<0.001) groups. Na+, K+ and Cl- concentrations were significantly increased in SF and SF+Aloe group compared with control and Aloe groups. HCO3- concentration was significantly increased in Aloe and SF+Aloe groups compared with control. High salt diet (HSD) caused alterations in red cell indices and posed threat to the immune system of rats. Aloe vera could not reverse these alterations but exhibited an immune-stimulatory effect. Both Aloe vera and HSD caused electrolyte imbalance.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.131828
Effect of age on chemical element contents in female thyroid investigated by some nuclear analytical methods
Get PDFA prevalence of thyroid dysfunction is higher in the elderly as compared to the younger population. An excess or deficiency of chemical element contents in thyroid may play an important role in goitro- and carcinogenesis of gland. The variation with age of the mass fraction of twenty chemical elements (Ag, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sr, and Zn) in intact (normal) thyroid of 33 females (mean age 54.5 years, range 3.5-87) was investigated by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescent analysis and instrumental neutron activation analysis with high resolution spectrometry of short- and long-lived radionuclides. This work revealed that there is an increase in Br, Ca, Co, Fe, Rb, Sb, Se, and Zn mass fraction, as well as a decrease in Cl mass fraction in the normal thyroid of female during a lifespan. Therefore, a goitrogenic and carcinogenic effect of inadequate Br, Ca, Co, Fe, Rb, Sb, Se, and Zn level in the thyroid of old females with increasing age may be assumed
Effects of cobalt and manganese on biomass and nitrogen fixation yields of a free-living nitrogen fixer - Azotobacter chroococcum
Get PDFThe effects of different concentrations of cobalt and manganese on the biomass and the ability of Azotobacter chroococcum to fix nitrogen were investigated. In vitro trials were conducted in Jensen’s (nitrogen free) broth (half strength) under continuous air flow, incubated at ambient room temperatures for seven days. Results obtained showed that 12.5 mg/l, 25 mg/l, 50 mg/l, 100 mg/l, and 200 mg/l concentrations of cobalt and manganese respectively enhanced microbial growth of Azotobacter chroococcum concomitantly. However, nitrogen fixation was enhanced only at 12.5 mg/l and 25 mg/l concentrations for cobalt, and only at 12.5 mg/l concentration for manganese. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in the specific growth rates and nitrogen fixations respectively, between the cobalt and manganese trials. Kinetic modeling revealed that nitrogen fixation was associated with biomass concentration, and not with cell mass growth.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.115709
Independent distribution of blood group types and two genetically determined traits in a female population
Get PDFCertain traits in humans are known to be neutral in nature as they do not influence fitness of the individuals. Traits like ABO blood group, phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) tasting and ear lobe structure are genetically determined and follow Mendelian pattern of inheritance. Genes deciding their expression are situated on separate chromosomes and therefore would be certainly following independent assortment during gametogenesis. Data regarding association of these traits were collected from human female subjects to test whether blood group types show their dependency with other two features. An analysis in this regard clearly indicated that there exist no association between blood group type and PTC tasting and also between blood group and ear lobe structure.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.131473
Chromatographic and antiproliferative assessment of the aerial root of Ficus thonningii Blume (Moraceae)
Get PDFFicus thonningii (Blume) has long history of use for variety of ailments. The hot aqueous extract of Ficus thonningii aerial root (FT) was obtained by infusion. The antiproliferative activity of FT was evaluated using Sorghum bicolor seed radicle over a period of 24 h to 96 h. The mean radicle length (mm), percentage inhibition and percentage growth were calculated. Chemical characterization of FT was done using chromatographic techniques. Thin layer chromatography revealed the presence of β-sitosterol. High performance liquid chromatography showed ten peaks with gallic acid, tannins, caffeic acid, rutin, ferulic acid and morin eluting at 3.530, 3.928, 4.668, 6.706, 7.669 and 18.844 minutes respectively. Compared with negative control, FT at 1 mg/ml to 32 mg/ml significantly (p<0.0001) inhibited S. bicolor seed radicle growth over 24 h-96 h. At 96h, FT dose-dependently inhibited S. bicolor seed growth, giving a percentage inhibition of 20.31%, 24.30%, 31.71%, 53.23%, 78.74%, 95.37% at 1 mg/ml, 2 mg/ml, 4 mg/ml, 8 mg/ml, 16 mg/ml, 32 mg/ml, respectively. Methotrexate 50 µg/ml used as the positive control gave inhibition of 70.62% at 96h. The result revealed the potential of FT to inhibit rapid proliferating cells of S. bicolor seed radicle and by extension cancer cells.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.114365
Diversity of inulinase-producing fungi associated with two Asteraceous plants, Pulicaria crispa (Forssk.) and Pluchea dioscoridis (L.) growing in an extreme arid environment
Get PDFInulinases are potentially valuable enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of plant’s inulin into high fructose syrups as sweetening ingredients for food industry and ethanol production. The high demands for inulinase enzymes have promoted interest in microbial inulinases as the most suitable approach for biosynthesis of fructose syrups from inulin. Arid land ecosystem represents a valuable bioresource for soil microbial diversity with unique biochemical and physiological properties. In the present study, we explored the fungi diversity associated with the rhizosphere and rhizoplane of two desert medicinal plants namely Pluchea dioscoridis and Pulicaria crispa growing in the South-Eastern desert of Aswan, Egypt. A total of 180 fungal isolates were screened based on their ability to grow on potato dextrose agar medium supplemented with 1% inulin. The isolated fungal colonies were morphologically identified according to cultural characteristics and spore-bearing structure. In addition, the inulinase activity of the isolated fungi was examined spectrophotometrically. Among these, Aspergillus terreus var. terreus 233, Botrytis cinerea, Aspergillus aegyptiacus, Cochliobolus australiensis 447 and Cochliobolus australiensis exhibited high inulinase activity ranging from 5.05 to 7.26 U/ml. This study provides a promising source of microbial inulinase, which can be scaled up for industrial applications.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.120564
Isolation of Enterobacteriaceae and non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli (NFGNB) from Dental Unit Water Lines (DUWL) in a tertiary care institutional setup
Get PDFBackground: The quality of dental unit water lines (DUWL) is of considerable importance since patients and dental staff are regularly exposed to water and aerosols generated from dental units which thereby influence the individual patient outcome and health-care associated morbidity. The aim of the present study was to determine the microbiological quality of water used, presence of biofilms and also the potential of isolated bacterial species in producing biofilms within DUWL.
Methods: Thirty DUWL samples were collected from various departments of Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore. Bacteriological analysis was done for the presence of various bacterial contaminants. Presence of biofilms on DUWLs and potential of bacterial isolates to form biofilm were also determined.
Results: Seven of 30 samples (23.3%), were found to be of unsatisfactory quality (coliform count > 200 CFU/ml), most frequently from air/water syringes. A total of 45 strains were isolated from 14 water samples. Genera isolated were Escherichia spp., Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter spp. Four of 10 samples from DUWL tubing showed presence of biofilms (40%), formed mostly by Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas spp. Out of 45 strains that were isolated, 19 strains displayed ability to form biofilms. Maximum number (10) isolates formed biofilms with 48 hours.
Conclusion: Exposure to contaminated water from DUWL poses threat to the well-being of the patient and the health care personnel as well. Hence, measures should be initiated to ensure the optimum quality of DUWL water.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.131977
Exposure to stress minimizes the zone of antimicrobial action: a phenotypic demonstration with six Acinetobacter baumannii strains
Get PDFAim: To phenotypically study the role of domestic environmental stress in the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii. Materials and Methods: Six strains of A. baumannii were initially subjected to AST and then were exposed to various stresses (temperature, pH and random combinations). Stressed cells were subcultured and then subjected for AST. The ZOIs before and after exposure to stress were compared. Statistical analysis was done using Student t-test at p < 0.10. Results: Exposure to stresses and combination of stresses resulted in substantial reduction in the ZOIs. Stress hardening was associated with further reduction in ZOIs. Conclusion: Exposure to domestic environmental stress imparted a significant and substantial reduction in the susceptibility of A. baumannii strains to antibiotics.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.118415