iosr-JPBS   Volume-9 ~ Issue-3 ~ May-June 2014

Abstract: The impact of crude oil on reproduction in wistar rat was examined.A total of fifty virgin wistar rats weighing on the average 185g were involved in this experiment and were divided into five groups(A,B,C,D and E), each having ten rats made up of five males and five females. In each group male and female rats were housed separately. In group A, the male rats were treated with 60mg/kg/day of crude oil dissolved in drinking water after and normal rat chow ad libitum, the female rats received tap water and rat chow ad libitum. In group B, the female rats were treated with 60mg/kg/day of crude oil dissolved in drinking water and normal rat chow ad libitum, the male rats received tap water and rat chow ad libitum. In group C, the male rats received crude oil contaminated as drinking water and were normal rat chow ad libitum, the female rats received tap water and rat chow ad libitum. In group D, the female rats received crude oil contaminated as drinking water and normal rat chow ad libitum, the male rats received tap water and rat chow ad libitum. Group E served as control and were fed normal rat chow and water ad libitum. Treatment lasted for seven weeks after which the rasts were allowed to mate, the female rats were examined in the morning for sperm plugs and this was used to determine the first day of pregnancy. After mating the male rats were sacrificed semen analysis was done and testes was harvested for histology, while female rats were maintained with tap water and rat chow throughout the period of pregnancy after which the liter size and liter weight, the gestation period and number of surviving pups after one week were noted the female rats were then sacrifice and ovaries harvested for histology. Data obtained was analyzed using the student's t test and ANOVA. Result showed significant (p<0.05) reduction in sperm count and motility of treated groups. There was also significant (p<0.05) reduction in liter size, liter weight and percentage pup loss in treated groups. Hitological findings revealed distortions in the architecture of the testes and ovaries of treated rats. We conclude that crude oil adversely affected reproduction in wistar rats.
Key words: Crude oil, fecundity, reproduction

Abstract: Background: Cystic hydatid disease is an important zoonosis, affecting humans and animals and is a significant public health and economic problem throughout the world and Iraq. Since extraction of DNA from the parasite is a primary and crucial step which has a principal effect on PCR results, in the current study five simple methods for DNA extraction from protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus were applied and compared with each other. The aim of study was to ascertain the genotype(s) of the parasite responsible for human hydatidosis inIraq. Patients and Methods: After collecting hydatid cysts from patients after surgical operation , DNA samples were extracted from (60) hydatid cyst , using five different methods involving the use of glass beads, mechanical grinder, freeze-thaw, boiling and crushing. For all DNA samples extracted, one PCR assay based on amplifying rDNA-ITS1 region was performed and amplicons resolved on 2% agarose gelsFor genotyping of echinoccocus 5 ng template DNA were added into the PCR mix.And 11 primer pair were used for genotyping .Result: Most of the CE patients(60) patients were found to be infected with hydatid cyst of eitherG4 26(43%),G1/G/G3 18(30%), G5 12(20%),G6/G7 4(7%). And the study the association of genotypes and organ ,our results show In the liver (20%) G1/G/G3 ,(27%)G4 ,(7%) G5 ,(20%) G6/G7. Lung (7%) G1/G/G3,(10%)G4,Liver and lung (3%) G1/G/G3 andG4 ,finally liver ,lung and spleen (3%) G1/G/G3. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the zoonotic potential of G4 (Horse strain ), G1 (sheep strain) and G3 (buffalo strain),G5(Cattle Strain ) , (G6) (Camel Strain ) ,(G7) (Pig strain) genotypes of E. granulosus as these emerged as predominant genotypes infecting the humans in Iraq.
Key word: Echinococcus granulosus , PCR , Germinal layer , genotypes .

Abstract: The emerging trends of multidrug resistance among several groups of microorganisms against different classes of antibiotics led different researchers to develop efficient drugs from various plant sources to counter multidrug resistant strains. This study investigated different solvent extracts of Zingiber officinale, to determine their efficacy against multidrug resistant microbes. The antimicrobial properties of various extract of Zingiber officinale (ginger) against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae that are common causes of gastrointestinal tract infection were investigated using the Agar and tube diffusion method. The results obtained revealed that Methanolic extract of ginger gave the widest zone of inhibition against one out of the two test organisms at the concentration of 20 mg mL-1. However, Klebsiella pneumonia was more sensitive to the extract. It was also observed that the solvent of extraction and its varying concentrations affected the sensitivity of the two test organisms to the plant extract showing that ginger has antimicrobial activities on the test organisms due to its inhibitory effect, thus confirming its use in folk medicine.

Key words: Antimicrobial property Methanolic extract, Multi drug resistant, Plant extract.

Abstract: Gastrointestinal nematode infections in ruminants have direct effects such as mortality, weaknesses, feeding efficiency and decreased productivity. Animal deaths due to nematode infections are common in tropical regions where control programs based solely on the use of synthetic anthelmintics are no longer sustainable due to increased prevalence of gastrointestinal nematode resistance, slow development of new anthelmintics, high costs to poor farmers and concerns regarding residue in food and the environment. Alternative methods of control are thus required. Prosopis juliflora is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree adapted to poor and saline soils in arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya, inhabited by nomadic pastoralists. Analysis of the EHA data using t-test revealed that there was no statistically significant difference in the activities of both LEE and REE (p>0.05). However, in comparison to ALB, the difference in activity was significantly different (p<0.05). The observed in vitro anthelmintic activity was attributed to saponins and condensed tannins and to alkaloids present in the plant. Phytochemical analysis confirmed presence of tannins, saponins and alkaloids, among other phytoconstituents. These phytochemicals are known to exhibit anthelmintic activity, therefore making the plant a potential candidate for drug development against gastrointestinal nematodes.
Keywords: Anthelmintic, ovicidal, Ruminants, saponins, Tannins

Abstract: Coumarins have attracted the attention in recent years because of their diverse pharmacological properties and these diverse properties are mainly due to their structural variability and types of substitutions in their basic structure. Ceropegia juncea (Roxb.) is the plant, which belongs to the Asclepiadoideae, a subfamily belongs to the family Apocyanaceae was selected and investigated for its phytocompounds especially coumarin compounds. There was limited work on biologically active molecule, coumarin in the selected medicinal plant Ceropegia juncea (Roxb.). A novel coumarin, (E)-5-(4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-8-yl)-2-(4-methylbenzyl)-3-oxopent-4-enenitrile was isolated and the structure of the compound is studied by spectral data. Biological functions of coumarins depend on their functional groups attached. 7-hydroxy and methyl coumarins exhibit dynamic therapeutical properties. In the present study, methyl coumarin is obtained from the plant extract. Further pharmacological activities have to be studied for this novel compound for future drug lead.
Key words: Coumarin, Ceropegia juncea, TLC, HPLC, Asclepiadoideae

Abstract: Effects of alcoholic solution of binary mixtures of salts of metals on some hepatic and nephrotic parameters in animal model was monitored using spectrophotometric technique. The serum activities of ALT, AST, ALP and concentrations of ALB, TP, UR, CR were assayed. Animals were orally exposed to the solutions continually for seven, fourteen and twenty one consecutive days respectively. Results obtained showed increased activities of ALT particularly for groups fed Fe+Zn and Pb+Fe relative control (P<0.01) whereas Fe+Cd was least; for AST activity, Pb+Cd caused highest increase in activity with Fe+Zn being the least; trend for ALP activity was Pb+Cd highest while Fe+Zn caused the least effect. In the case of albumin, Fe+Cd highest whereas Fe+Zn and Pb+Cd had values lower than the control group values. In the case of urea, Pb+Cd caused the highest increase whereas Fe+Zn was the least. As for creatinine, Fe+Cd caused the highest increase whereas Fe+Zn had the least (p<0.01). Alcoholic solution of Fe+Zn generally caused marginal increase of the parameters monitored whereas other metals combinations synergistically caused duration of administration-dependent increase levels of the parameters relative control groups and therefore the integrity and functions of the organs could be compromised. InStat3 Statistical Software was used and ANOVA was chosen to analyse the data; P value 0.01 was considered significant.
Key Words: Alcohol, Cadmium, Iron, Kidney, Lead, Liver and Zinc.

Abstract: A simple, accurate and precise HPTLC method for simultaneous estimation of Citicoline sodium and Piracetam in a bulk and in combined dosages form is described in this paper. After optimization a mobile phase of Methanol: Water (16:4 v/v) was used during validation of an analytical method. Aluminum plate coated with the silica Gel 60 F254 was used as stationary phase. Densitometric evaluation of the separated bands was performed at wavelength 212 nm. The Rf values of Citicoline sodium and Piracetam were 0.30 and 0.68 respectively. The validated method was linear over the concentration range of 400 ng to 3200 ng /spot and 1200 ng to 3600 ng/spot of Citicoline sodium and Piracetam respectively. Precision of the method was evaluated by inerday and intraday RSD. The results were Citicoline sodium: Inter day RSD of peak response 0.62 % and Intraday RSD f peak response 1.05 % and for Piracetam : Interday RSD of peak response 1.44 % and Intraday RSD of peak response 1.06 %. Accuracy was determined in terms of percentage recovery at three concentration levels. The results are for Citicoline sodium: 97.66 %, 99.70 % and 97.91 % and for Piracetam: 98.52 %, 97.61 and 96.64 % respectively. Specificity was determined by spectral analysis of Citicoline sodium and Piracetam and overlaying the standard spectra and sample spectra respectively .There was no any interference of mobile phase and diluents at the Rf values of Citicoline sodium and Piracetam. Validation was done in accordance with the ICH Guidelines.
Keywords: High performance thin layer chromatography, microgram, nanogram, Citicoline sodium and Piracetam .

Abstract: The objective of this present study was to investigate the thrombolytic activity of aqueous extract of Carica papaya plant (root, seed and leaf) parts. Streptokinase was used as a positive control. The human blood was taken as test sample. The mean % of clot lysis for streptokinase was 36.44%. Similarly, the root, seed and leaf extracts of Carica papaya showed the mean % of clot lysis as 24.70%, 24.29% and 23.67% respectively. When all this three extracts were compared with streptokinase, they were significant at p<0.05%.
Keywords: aqueous extract, carica papaya, control, streptokinase, thrombolytic activity.

Abstract: The effect of poultry manure and cow dung amendment of diesel oil polluted soil on the growth of Zea mays (Maize) was carried out in a green house at Lamingo area of Jos. The experiment was set up in a randomize block design (RBD) of five (5) replicates for each treatment. Loamy soil (500g) was polluted with 250ml of diesel oil in perforated polyethene bags size (64x21cm) and amended with poultry manure and cow dung at 0%.10%, 20% and 30% soil weight. Three (3) seeds of maize were planted in each pot. Two types of control were set up to validate this experiment: a positive control (500g of soil + 0ml of diesel + 0% manure) and a negative control (500g of soil + 250ml diesel + 0% manure). These were observed for germination and growth parameters for 13 weeks. The results showed that maize seeds in the positive control had the shortest day to germination (6day), an average of 12 and 13 days to germination was observed in plots treated at 30% poultry manure and cow dung respectively. No germination was observed in both the negative control and at 10% organic manure treatment. Maize plants in the positive control plots had highest mean leaf count (13) followed by those at 30% manure treatment (11) and (12) respectively, while those at 20% manure treatment had the least number of leaves. Results on stem girth followed a similar trend with the aforementioned parameters. Plant height at weeks 10 and 12 were significantly higher than those of all other weeks, but do not differ from each other at 0.05 level of probability. Plant in the control had the highest number of kernels per cob (187) followed by plot at 30% manure treatment 150 and 180 respectively for poultry manure and cow dung. The study has shown that diesel contamination affected growth and yield of maize plant adversely. However among the manure treated plots those exposed to higher fraction of poultry manure strived better than those treated with equal fraction of cow dung. Poultry manure can therefore be recommended as a biostimulant in diesel oil polluted soil.

Abstract: The abortifacient role of aqueous extract of Vernoniaamygdalina was investigated by measuring the serum progesterone levels of the experimental animals. 20 female albino rats were grouped into four groups (n=5). Vaginal smear of the rats was taken every morning and viewed under the microscope. Rats in their pro-estrous cycle were paired with males and their vaginal smear taken the next morning to confirm pregnancy. Group I were treated with normal saline, group II received 200μg/ml of standard drug (Misoprostol) and groups III and IV received 250mg and 500mg/ml of aqueous extract of V. amygdalina respectively from the 5th-7th days of pregnancy. The rats were observed for a period of 3 weeks. Group I successfully delivered, all group II animals had a complete abortion and groups III and IV had 80% abortion (one rat delivered in each group while the others had a complete abortion). The serum progesterone levels of the Misoprostol and extract groups showed a significant decrease (p>0.05) when compared with group I. But when the serum progesterone levels of extract groups was compared with Misoprostol groups, there was no significant decrease (p>0.05). This shows that the aqueous extract of Vernoniaamygdalina has an abortifacient effect (80% effect) which leads to a decrease in the serum progesterone level after abortion (a hormone that is very important for the maintenance of pregnancy).
Keywords: Vernoniaamygdalina, rats, pregnancy, progesterone, abortion.

Abstract: Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death for women all over the world. Since the cause of the disease remains unknown, early detection and diagnosis is the key for breast cancer control, and it can increase the success of treatment and save lives. Ultrasound imaging is one of the most frequently used diagnosis tools to detect and classify abnormalities of the breast. In order to eliminate the operator dependency and improve the diagnostic accuracy, computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system is a valuable and beneficial means for breast cancer detection and classification. The performance of the CAD system is fairly evaluated. Generally, a CAD system consists of four stages: preprocessing, image segmentation, feature extraction and selection, and classification. Masses and microcalcification are both important signs of breast cancer. In this paper, masses are identified and classified into benign and malignant.
Keywords: computer aided diagnosis (CAD), breast ultrasound (BUS), feature extraction and selection, classifiers.

Abstract: The use of probiotic bacterial cultures stimulates the growth of preferred microorganisms, crowds out potentially harmful bacteria, and reinforces the body's natural defence mechanisms. Streptococcus thermophilus has been exploited industrially for making cheese as well as yogurt. One of the most important properties of this bacterium which is being used is production of lactase, an enzyme that converts lactose (milk sugar) into a simple sugar, which helps people who are lactose intolerant to digest milk. So consumption of this microbe has facilitated to alleviate symptoms of lactose intolerance and other gastrointestinal problems. Due to this unique feature of the microbe, it has been added to several health supplements along with other bacteria with similar properties. Over and above, it also produces a variety of antagonistic factors that include metabolic end products, antibiotic-like substances and bactericidal proteins, termed bacteriocins which assist to prevent several types of infections from various pathogenic microbes. In addition, the bacterium is endowed with enormous important beneficial properties. The following review will discuss with some beneficial aspects of S. thermophilus.

Key Words: Streptococcus thermophilus, Probiotic, Lactose intolerance, Microflora, Dysbiosis, Bacteriocins

Abstract: Basic etiology of cancer is still obscure. The reason being, one is not equipped with basic knowledge of structure of the matter, origin of the universe and atomic genetics as taught by a new science called participatory science. If one breaks the matter, one would get its last and smallest particles called basic building blocks (B.B.Bs.) of which all fermions and bosons are composed. From these fermions and bosons all the matter of the universe is formed including human cell. These basic units are divine in the sense that they talk with each other by phenomenon called atomic transcription and translation. These are fundamental particles and atomic transcription and translation are fundamental working of the nature. These B.B.Bs. have power to transmutate to form bigger units of the universe like particles, atoms, molecules, cells, individuals, earth, solar system, galaxies etc. So, all effects of the universe are triggered by atomic transcription and translation or thought expressions. Before origin of the universe, these B.B.Bs. were in the form of tachyons. Out of the infinite tachyons one became the highest center of the universe. It had fed its thoughts to rest of B.B.Bs. that they would express only those thoughts to give desired effects as wished by highest center of the universe. Thus our universe appeared into existence and all effects are triggered by atomic transcription or thought expressions. Cancer cell is the progeny of normal cell. The normal cell structures and functions are triggered by normal thought expressions of normal genetic configuration, normal growth and well differentiation. That is why we observe normal genetic configuration, normal growth and well differentiation. When these thought expressions are inhibited and abnormal thought expressions are triggered, the same cell transmutate into cancer cell to give rise abnormal effects like genetic damage, rapid growth and de-differentiation etc. These abnormal thought expressions are triggered either by outer stimuli like physical and chemical carcinogens, viruses, or they are self stimulated e.g. hereditary factors. The theory further predicts that if man wants to tame cancer, man has to learn atomic genetic engineering as adjuvant therapy. In atomic genetics engineering, our B.B.B. talks with highest center of the universe via first transcription to shift abnormal thought expressions to normal thought expressions. Thus the left out cancer cells could be transformed into normal cells making the recurrence rate zero. Key Words: Basic Building Blocks, Atomic Genetics, Atomic Transcription and Translation, Tachyons, Atomic Genetic Engineering

Abstract: The study is the first report on vulva myiasis and sources of its infection in Nigeria. It investigated factors that are associated with vulva myiasis in different groups of rural women in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. About 3.8% of 1000 rural women examined showed the symptoms and disease occurrences. About 2.7% of rural women of child-bearing age also were infected. Flies of the family Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae were associated with vulvar myiasis in the Niger Delta of Nigeria and they include Cordylobia anthropophaga, Sarcophaga vilosa and Lucilia sericata. Sources of vulvar infection were from types of sanitary options used by the three categories of rural women identified in the study; the nursing mothers [NM]; women of child-bearing age [CBW]; women in menopause [MPW, the group did not use any sanitary options] and teenage girls [TNG]. The larvae of the aforementioned flies deposited their eggs on recycled pieces of cloths, sanitary pads an which the rural women used during their menses. Types of sanitary options available to the women affected their susceptibility to female myiasis agents. Details of percentage infection and parts infected are presented.
Keywords: Vulva myiasis, rural nursing mothers, Nigeria, sources of infection.

Abstract: Fifty-three Tunisian obese pubescent boys (15.4 ± 1.7 years, 96.4 ± 13.2 kg, 1.71 ± 0.1 cm) were submitted to a retraining program in endurance for two months which includes three sessions of 45 minutes per week of pedalling on an ergometer cycle and this to assess the effects on anthropometric and metabolic profiles. Our results showed that the retraining in endurance beneficially affects the above parameters such as reflected by the reduction of BMI, and abdominal and hip perimeters decrease. These changes were also accompanied, firstly by the reduction of the levels of glucoses, total cholesterol, LDLc and triglycerides, and secondly by the increase of HDLc amount which has reduced the LDLc/HDLc ratio. A reduction in levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines namely the IL-6 and TNF-α was also observed. We conclude that the retraining in endurance reduces the weight load of the Tunisian obese pubescent boys and improves their metabolic profiles.
Keywords: Childhood Obesity; pubescent boys; retraining in endurance; anthropometric and metabolic profiles

Abstract: Visual psychophysical studies show that in presence of optimum noise contrast detection sensitivity can be enhanced via a non-linear cooperative effect called stochastic resonance. However, the dependence of the enhanced sensitivity on spatial frequency is not known. In the present study we have addressed this issue by using stochastic resonance as a tool. We have used a two-interval forced-choice (2IFC) protocol, in a visual detection task involving sub-threshold sine grating stimuli at five spatial frequencies (0.0369, 0.1371, 0.5456, 1.0909 and 2.0978 cycle/deg). We observed that at each frequency the perceived sensitivity strongly depends on noise strength and attains a peak for an intermediate strength via stochastic resonance. Additionally,the observed peak contrast detection sensitivity at each frequency,thus attained, varies non-monotonically with spatial frequency. We also demonstrate that the qualitative nature of the enhanced detection sensitivity is in good agreement with the human contrast sensitivity function. These results indicate that the human contrast sensitivity behaviour with spatial frequency could be obtained in terms of stochastic resonance.
Keywords: contrast detection sensitivity, contrast sensitivity function, human visual system, stochastic resonance, visual psychophysics