Documents published in Scipedia

• Trichophyton Soudanense and Trichophyton Mentagrophyte -treated Rice Husk Biomass Components and Effect of Yeast on the Bioethanol Yield

  C. Ezeonu, I. Onwurah, C. Ubani, C. Ejikeme, A. Ogodo

  Collection of Achievements in the Life Sciences (2017).

  
  

  Abstract

  Trichophyton soudanense and Trichophyton mentagrophyte were isolated from the rice mill environment, cultured, and used singly and as co-culture in the treatment of measure quantities of pre-heated rice husk. Carboxymethyl cellulase activity of 57.61 μg/ml/min was optimum for T. mentagrophyte -treated rice husk crude enzymes at 50 °C and 80 °C, respectively. The duration of 120 h gave the highest CMCellulase activity of 75.84 μg/ml/min for crude enzyme of T. mentagrophyte heat-pretreated rice husk. The duration of 96 h gave maximum activity of 58.21 μg/ml/min for crude enzyme of T. soudanense heat-pretreated rice husk. Highest CMCellulase activities of 67.02 μg/ml/min and 69.02 μg/ml/min at pH of 5 were recorded for crude enzymes of monocultures of T. soudanense (TS) and T. mentagrophyte (TM) heat-pretreated rice husk. Heating before treatment with T. mentagrophyte gave 44.50 ± 10.90 cellulose as maximum, total lignin value of 28.90 ± 1.80 from co-culture of T. soudanense and T. mentagrophyte (TS + TM), hemicellulose content of 30.50 ± 2.12 (% ± SEM) from pre-heated rice husk treated with T. soudanense (TS), carbohydrate content of 16.79 ± 9.14, and reducing and non-reducing sugar values of 2.66 ± 0.45 and 14.13 ± 8.69 were all obtained from for pre- heated rice husk treated with T. mentagrophyte (TM). The pre-heated rice husk treated with T. mentagrophyte (TM) fermented with palm wine yeast gave bioethanol value of 11.11 ± 0.21 (% ± standard deviation) as the highest yield.

  Abstract
  Trichophyton soudanense and Trichophyton mentagrophyte were isolated from the rice mill environment, cultured, and used singly and as co-culture in the treatment of measure [...]

  • 0
  •  read

• The Content of Heavy Metals in Bottom Sediments of the Streams of the Sikhote-Alin Biosphere Reserve and the Streams Draining Mines of the Transit Zone of the Reserve

  E. Chernova, E. Potikha, O. Nesterenko

  Collection of Achievements in the Life Sciences (2017).

  
  

  Abstract

  The concentrations of heavy metals in the bottom sediments (fraction < 0.1 mm) of streams of the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve and streams draining the mines of the protective and transit zone of the reserve, as well as in the tailing material, was examined. The background ranges of the Fe, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Cd concentrations in bottom sediments of streams of the eastern and central Sikhote-Alin were defined. The concentrations of Zn are elevated, and the concentrations of Cd are comparable in the bottom sediments of the reserve compared to the approximate permissible concentration in the soil. Elevated concentrations of Zn, Cu, Cd, Mn, Pb, and Ni compared to the background were found in the bottom sediments of the streams draining the territory of the tin mines. The concentrations of Zn and Cd in these bottom sediments exceeded the approximate permissible concentration. Elevated concentrations of Cu were observed in the bottom sediments of the streams, even at a distance of 10 km from the mine. The content of metals in the bottom sediments in the stream draining the gold and silver mine did not exceed the approximate permissible concentration, whereas the concentrations of Cu, Mn and Pb were increased compared to the background. The surface layer of the sediments of the tin mines tailing ponds was enriched in Cu and Pb and starved of Cd, Ni, and Zn compared to the bottom sediments and the approximate permissible concentrations in the soil.

  Abstract
  The concentrations of heavy metals in the bottom sediments (fraction < 0.1 mm) of streams of the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve and streams draining the mines of the protective [...]

  • 0
  •  read

• Contents of 4-Nonylphenol in Surface Sea Water of Amur Bay (Japan/East Sea)

  A. Cherniaev, A. Kondakova, E. Zyk

  Collection of Achievements in the Life Sciences (2017).

  
  

  Abstract

  The determination of 4-nonylphenols has been developed using HPLC with fluorescence detection method. 4-Nonylphenols in sea water samples were extracted using a liquid–liquid extraction. Acidification and adding salting-out agents (NaI) of water samples increased the extraction degree. The extraction of 4-nonylphenols was done twice with 20 mL of methylene chloride. The applied concentrated range was over 5–1000 ng/mL for the 4-nonylphenol. The recovery test ranged from 78.5 to 89.9% with relative standard deviations between 1.0 and 7.5% of 100 ng/mL of the standard phenols spiked with the water sample and the detection limit was 1 ng/mL. The proposed method was applied satisfactorily for the determination of 4-nonylphenole in sea water samples. Levels of 4-nonylphenol were determined in the sea waters of the Amur Bay. Water samples were collected every year from 2008 to 2015. Concentrations of 4-nonylphenol in the waters ranged from levels below the detection limits up to 1.24 μg/L.

  Abstract
  The determination of 4-nonylphenols has been developed using HPLC with fluorescence detection method. 4-Nonylphenols in sea water samples were extracted using a liquid–liquid [...]

  • 0
  •  read

• Study of the Young Growth of Main Forest-forming Coniferous Species in the Primary Forests of the Sikhote-Alin Nature Reserve

  S. Bondarchuk

  Collection of Achievements in the Life Sciences (2017).

  
  

  Abstract

  This paper presents the results of studies of the young growth of main forest-forming coniferous species in four types of native cedar forest of the Sikhote-Alin nature reserve. The following types of young growth were measured: Manchurian fir (Abies nephrolepis ), Ajan spruce (Picea ajanensis ), Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata ), and Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis ). The research was conducted during 5 field seasons from 2008 to 2012 at 4 permanent study areas. For each species, the common silvicultural parameters, distribution of height, age of young growth and dynamics of the average apical growth data for the twenty-year period were identified and analysed. It was established that the size and strength of young growth are affected by complex forest site conditions that are determined by: the composition of the parent canopy, stand age, and position in the landscape. The growing conditions for young growth conifers are more favourable in mountain cedar forests compared to cedar forests in a valley. A parent canopy of a specific phytocenosis forms a unique microclimate, significantly weakening and softening the impact of macro-climate indicators of the growing area on the value of the apical growth of young growth. Spruce young growth is the most responsive to changes in climatic parameters and Korean pine young growth is the least responsive.

  Abstract
  This paper presents the results of studies of the young growth of main forest-forming coniferous species in four types of native cedar forest of the Sikhote-Alin nature reserve. [...]

  • 0
  •  read

• Effects of Lithium Nano-Scaled Particles on Local and Systemic Structural and Functional Organism Transformations Under Tumour Growth

  N. Bgatova, O. Makarova, A. Pozhidayeva, Y. Borodin, L. Rachkovskaya, V. Konenkov

  Collection of Achievements in the Life Sciences (2017).

  
  

  Abstract

  The results of a study of structural and metabolic changes in CBA mice with hepatocellular carcinoma caused by lithium carbonate nano-sized particles are presented. Light microscopy, electron microscopy and other biochemical methods were used to show that injection of lithium carbonate nano-sized particles to the periphery of the tumour results in enhanced destructive processes within the tumour. The number of neutrophils and macrophages in the tumour increased, whereas the density of blood vessels and haemoglobin concentration were reduced, the extent of tumour necrosis lipid peroxidation and production of nitric oxide was also increased. At the same time, the activity of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase and catalase remained the same. The introduction of lithium carbonate nano-scaled particles protects vital organs including the heart and lungs from the damaging effect of secondary products of lipid peroxidation.

  Abstract
  The results of a study of structural and metabolic changes in CBA mice with hepatocellular carcinoma caused by lithium carbonate nano-sized particles are presented. Light [...]

  • 0
  •  read

• Molecular Cloning and Homology Modeling of Novel Tyrosylprotein Sulfotransferase of Marine Mollusk

  M. Avtushenko, S. Kovalchuk, G. Likhatskaya, T. Zvyagintseva, T. Haertlé

  Collection of Achievements in the Life Sciences (2017).

  
  

  Abstract

  The gene of tyrosylprotein sulfotransferase, which was discovered in mammals, has been widely found in marine mollusk Littorina sitkana . High conservation of this gene indicates the functional importance of TPST in the metabolism of the living world. The cDNA encoding TPST in the mollusk was cloned and sequenced, and the enzyme was assigned on the basis of amino acid sequence similarity as tyrosylprotein sulfotransferase-2 (TPST-2). The putative homology model for the catalytic domain of TPST from L. sitkana was constructed according to crystal structure of the catalytic domain of the human TPST-2. The putative model of dimer structure showed that the active site involved two monomers and the dimer contains two active centers.

  Abstract
  The gene of tyrosylprotein sulfotransferase, which was discovered in mammals, has been widely found in marine mollusk Littorina sitkana . High conservation of this gene indicates [...]

  • 0
  •  read

• The Origin of Chronic Diseases Can Be in Capillary Pathology: An Evidence From Clinical Trials on Thermobalancing Treatment of Prostate Reveals

  S. Allen

  Collection of Achievements in the Life Sciences (2017).

  
  

  Abstract

  Etiology and pathophysiology of chronic internal disease was unknown until last days. This article challenges that two clinical trials have discovered the origin of chronic prostate diseases. The hypothesis of the chronic internal diseases cause due to pathological activity of capillaries with emerging micro-focus of hypothermia, a continuous trigger for disease development in any affected organ, was declared in the US patent “Therapeutic Device and Method”, i.e. thermobalancing therapy (TT) and therapeutic device. Two clinical trials before and 6 months after TT for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with the device, namely Dr. Allens therapeutic device (DATD) confirmed the effectiveness of TT. This device was used as mono-therapy for 124 patients with BPH and 45 men with CP/CPPS. Compared to controls, the TT groups showed significant improvements from baseline to endpoint. TT in men with BPH decreased urinary symptoms and PV, increased Qmax and improved quality of life index (QoL). At the same time, another clinical trial on TT in men with CP/CPPS has demonstrated decrease of pain score and PV mL, improvement of QoL and increase of Qmax mL/sec. The long-term application of the source of emitted body heat with DATD, i.e. TT, to the projection of affected prostate removes “micro-focus” of hypothermia at the capillary level that improves blood circulation in the organ and its function. Thus this article shows that the underlying cause for different chronic internal diseases, such as BPH and CP/CPPS is the same and is positioned at the microvascular level. More studies with thermobalancing therapy needed.

  Abstract
  Etiology and pathophysiology of chronic internal disease was unknown until last days. This article challenges that two clinical trials have discovered the origin of chronic [...]

  • 0
  •  read

• Chitosan Based Scaffolds and Their Applications in Wound Healing

  S. Ahmed, S. Ikram

  Collection of Achievements in the Life Sciences (2017).

  
  

  Abstract

  Over the last decade, much interest has been developed in biopolymer based materials due to their biocompatible, biodegradable, non-toxic and non-allergenic nature. Chitosan is a unique biopolymer that exhibits outstanding properties, besides biocompatibility and biodegradability. Most of these peculiar properties arise from the presence of primary amines along the chitosan backbone. Many works have been done to obtain chitosan based scaffolds, including surface modifications, the fabrication of chitosan based blends, chitosan based composite scaffolds, and drug-loaded scaffolds. This study provides an overview of the key features of inherent properties of chitosan, their modification, and its use in biomedical engineering particularly toward anti-inflammatory and wound healing.

  Abstract
  Over the last decade, much interest has been developed in biopolymer based materials due to their biocompatible, biodegradable, non-toxic and non-allergenic nature. Chitosan [...]

  • 0
  •  read

• Vegetable Oils as Clearing Agents

  I. Adeniyi, O. Adejoba, F. Akinlabi, O. Alao

  Collection of Achievements in the Life Sciences (2017).

  
  

  Abstract

  Three types of vegetable oils namely, groundnut oil, coconut oil and palm kernel oil were investigated in this study for their clearing ability in wood histology. The vegetable oils were compared with the conventional clearants like xylene and clove oil. Using a Riechet microtome sliding machine, sections of wood that were about 20 μm were prepared and cleared in each of the oils. Under a light microscope, the results showed that sections cleared in the vegetable oils did not show any sign of distortion as details of wood features were distinct and clear after processing in the vegetable oils. The study concluded that the vegetable oils could be used as substitutes for xylene and clove oil. The respective photo micrographs are hereby presented showing their efficacy after slide preparation. On the accounts of health hazards and cost of conventional clearing agents, the study also recommended groundnut oil, coconut oil and palm kernel oil as alternative clearants in wood histological processes.

  Abstract
  Three types of vegetable oils namely, groundnut oil, coconut oil and palm kernel oil were investigated in this study for their clearing ability in wood histology. The vegetable [...]

  • 0
  •  read

• Sub-acute Ruminal Acidosis (SARA) and its Consequence in Dairy Cattle: A Review of Past and Recent Research at Global Prospective

  N. Abdela

  Collection of Achievements in the Life Sciences (2017).

  
  

  Abstract

  Dairy producer increase milk production by over feeding grain diets that are high in starch and low in fiber to increase intake of energy and met dietary requirements of the high yielding dairy cows. However, these diets increase the risk of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). Thus, maximizing milk production without incurring Sub-acute ruminal acidosis is a challenging most dairy producers. The main aims of this paper were to review available article on general aspects of Sub-acute ruminal acidosis and its consequence in dairy cattle by focusing on past and recent article and helping to update the current knowledge for early recognition and limit the associated negative impact in dairy industry. Sub-acute ruminal acidosis is a well-recognized and economically important digestive disorder found particularly in well-managed dairy cattle. It is a consequence of feeding high grain diets to dairy cows and characterized by daily episodes of low ruminal which generally occurs when ruminal pH stays in the range of 5.2 and 6 for a prolonged period resulting in depresses fiber digestion and possibly milk production. There is no typical clinical sign of illness in SARA affected cows. However, SARA is said to be associated with inflammations of different organs and tissues in dairy cows. Rumenocentesis remains the most reliable means of diagnosing SARA. The cow at risk to develop SARA includes cows in the early lactation, Primiparous cows and Cows grazing or fed with rapidly fermentable low fiber grass. SARA has long-term health and economic consequences, which include feed intake depression, fluctuations in feed intake, reduced diet digestibility, reduced milk yield, reduced milk fat percent, gastrointestinal damage, liver abscesses, and lameness. Apart from compromises to dairy cow health and economics, SARA is of concern for animal welfare reasons, since lameness and laminitis impact significantly on cow comfort and general well-being. Thus, it represents a significant concern for dairy industry and the cattle should be regularly monitored to facilitate early recognition of the condition and limit the associated economic losses.

  Abstract
  Dairy producer increase milk production by over feeding grain diets that are high in starch and low in fiber to increase intake of energy and met dietary requirements of the [...]

  • 0
  •  read