Vol 3 Issue 2 April 2015-June 2015

Abstract: Bacteriocins offer an advantage over antibiotics in that they target very specific organisms and they are generally regarded as safe for humans. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify bacteriocin-producing Bacillus species from Rastrineobola argentea (Omena) and to screen their bacteriocins for their potential as antimicrobial agents against bovine mastitis pathogens.  A total of 300 R. argentea samples were randomly purchased from retailers in Gikomba market-Nairobi. To identify isolated bacteria, colonies were assessed using morphological, biochemical techniques and the API KIT. Further, crude bacteriocins produced by some of the isolates were tested for their antimicrobial activity against the bovine mastitis pathogens Escherichia coli ATCC-25922 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC-25923 by well diffusion method. The physicochemical characteristics of the crude bacteriocins produced were also assessed. The study identified Bacillus mycoides, subtilis, pumilus and lentus as the most predominant species. Among these, Bacillus subtilis and pumilus were found to produce crude bacteriocins with antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, the bovine mastitis pathogens. The crude bacteriocins produced were found to be fully or partially inactivated in the presence of proteolytic enzymes like trypsin and had a lipid moiety since their activity reduced in presence of lipase enzyme. In contrast, their antimicrobial activity was not affected by temperature treatment of up to 100°C or in presence of ions like copper or iron but there was slight reduction in activity with zinc ions. Their activity was optimal at neutral and alkaline pH but reduced significantly at acidic pH. The bacteriocins produced by these Bacillus species have desirable characteristics that make these isolates attractive candidates with potential application for prevention of bovine mastitis pathogens.

Keywords: Bovine mastitis pathogens, antimicrobial activity, Bacillus, bacteriocin.

Title: Inhibition of Bovine Mastitis Pathogens by Bacteriocins Produced By Bacillus Spp Isolated From Rastrineobola Argentea (Omena)

Author: Juliana Maina, Julius Maina Mathara, Gideon M. Kikuvi

International Journal of Life Sciences Research

ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)

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Abstract: Application of Syzygium cumini seeds as bio sorbent for the removal of Acid Violet 4BS dye from aqueous solution and textile industry wastewater was investigated. Batch experiments were carried out to determine the effect of pH, particle size, bio sorbent dose, contact time and initial dye concentration. Characterization of bio sorbent was also done by SEM and FTIR.  Maximum dye bio sorption of 91.20% was achieved at pH 2.0, particle size 212µm, bio sorbent dose of 1g/L, contact time of 60mins and initial concentration of 50mg/L. The equilibrium bio sorption data fitted well to Langmuir than Freundlich isotherm models with Langmuir monolayer bio sorption capacity of 20.0 mg/g and Freundlich bio sorption capacity of 11.78 (mg/g) (mg/L) 1/n . The bio sorption results in this study indicated that Syzygium cumini seeds are attractive option for removing acidic dyes from the wastewater.

Keywords: Acid Violet 4BS; Bio sorption; Isotherm; Syzygium cumini seeds.

Title: Bio Sorption of Acid Violet 4BS from Aqueous Solution and Textile Industry Wastewater Using Syzygium Cumini Seeds

Author: Athiya Samreen, S. Suresha

International Journal of Life Sciences Research

ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)

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Abstract: Alcohol use by adolescents is widespread and is connected to a number of negative health and social outcomes. Adolescents receiving emergent care for injuries are often linked with risky use of alcohol. Early initiation of alcohol abuse is often associated with poor prognosis and a lifelong pattern of irresponsible behavior. So a study was taken to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on alcoholism and its prevention among adolescents. Quasi experimental study with one group pre-test post-test design was used for this study. Sample size was 50 and convenient sampling technique was used in this study. The results depicts that before the intervention, 64% (n=32) had not adequate knowledge, 32 %(n=16) had moderately adequate  knowledge and only 4% (n=2) had adequate knowledge regarding the alcoholism and its prevention.  After structured teaching program, 56% (n=78) had adequate knowledge, 40% (n=20) had moderately adequate and 4% (n= 2) had good knowledge. It was concluded that structured teaching programme was effective in increasing knowledge of adolescents regarding alcoholism and its prevention.

Keywords: Alcoholism and its prevention, quasi experimental research design, adolescents.

Title: Educating the Adolescents about Alcoholism and Its Prevention

Author: Mrs. S. Suvitha, Mr. Prakash, Mrs. Lalitha

International Journal of Life Sciences Research

ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)

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Abstract:  The word malaria comes from 18th century Italian mala meaning bad and aria meaning air. Most likely, the term was first used by Dr. Francisco Torti, Italy, when people thought the disease was caused by foul air in marshy areas. It was not until 1880 that scientists discovered that malaria was a parasitic disease which is transmitted by the anopheles mosquito. The mosquito infects the host with a one-cell parasite called plasmodium.

Keywords: Malaria, disease, parasite, chloroquine, Plasmodium falciparum.

Title: Malaria: A life threatening disease

Author: SRIJITA DUTTA

International Journal of Life Sciences Research

ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)

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Abstract: The effect of diabetes on the eye is called Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) which can lead to partial or even complete loss of vision if left undiagnosed at the initial stage. Diabetic Retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the working age population of developed countries. That is the reason for which efforts that has been undertaken in last few years in developing tools to assist diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy. DR is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. In some people with DR, blood vessels may swell and leak fluid or abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. Images of patient with DR can exhibit red and yellow spots which are problematic areas indicative of hemorrhages and exudates.

Title: Retinal Blood Vessel Detection and Segmentation for Diabetic Retinopathy

Author: Atul Kumar Pal, Upendra Kumar

International Journal of Life Sciences Research

ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)

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Abstract: The aim of this research is to assess the sero prevalence of Cytomegalovirus antibodies among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Sokoto Metropolis.The study was carried out in Specialist Hospital Sokoto and also Maryam Abacha Women and children hospital sokoto. The study was conducted using onsite CMV IgG/IgM Duo Rapid Test-Cassette. Demographic and clinical data were collected using questionnaires.Three hundred pregnant women (150 from specialist Hospital and 150 from Maryam Abacha Women and children Hospital) attending antenatal clinics  were collected in sterile vacutainer EDTA containers from the subjects. Of the 300 pregnant women screened, 43 (14.3%) had CMV IgG antibodies while 3 (1%) were positive for both CMV IgG and IgM. The seroprevalance of anti-CMV IgG among pregnant women was low in this study while for anti-CMV IgM was 1%. It is suggest that other more advanced techniques like histological examination of tissue or nucleic acid amplification methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) should be employ to conduct further research in the area for the infection.also recommended that anti-CMV IgG and anti-CMV IgM specific serological test should be carried out by other investigators in other to compare the findings found in this area.

Keywords: sero prevalence, Sokoto Metropolis, CMV, Abacha Women, IgG/IgM.

Title: SERO PREVALENCE OF CYTOMEGALO VIRUS ANTIBODIES (IgG and IgM) AMONGST PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTE-NATAL CLINICS IN SOKOTO METROPOLIS, SOKOTO STATE-NIGERIA

Author: Saidu, A.Y., Halimatu, S.A., Alhassan, H.M., Alo, M.N., Abdullahi I.

International Journal of Life Sciences Research

ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)

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Abstract: The main objective of this study was to assess if leadership which exists in SACCOS empowers its members. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used and 128 questionnaires were distributed, of which 120 were collected and 113 were used. Observation, documentary review and personal interviews were also conducted to SACCOS’ members, board members, and employees from 8 SACCOS in 4 districts of Mbeya Region. Data were analyzed and presented using SPSS and frequency distribution tables. Through questionnaires and observation it was found that leadership was very good.  However, interviews conducted revealed that there were some weaknesses in leadership. It was concluded that, unless there is democratic leadership, SACCOS can hardly be grow well. It is also recommended that, SACCOS should solicit education funds and ensure regular training to its members. SACCO’s members, employees and board members should be equipped with training on various technical skills. Government should strengthen the capacity of SACCOS by supporting them in required facilities, sufficient funds and relevant skills.

Keywords: SACCOS, members, leadership, assessment.

Title: Assessment of Leadership Empowerment of SACCOS Members in Mbeya Region Tanzania

Author: Maria Msechu Lemeirut

International Journal of Life Sciences Research

ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)

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Abstract: Kishanpura Lake Indore (M.P.) is a shallow tropical lake whose shoreline has dense population of bottom fish fauna. Very little work is reported on the benthic biodiversity of shoreline of tropical shallow lake of Malwa region in Madhya Pradesh. This was the first attemperaturet to carry out the biodiversity.

Keywords: Kishanpura Lake, Fish Population, Physico Chemical Parameters

Title: Analysis of Correlation Coefficient between Physico Chemical Parameters and Population of Fishes of Kishan Pura Lake of Indore Madhya Pradesh

Author: Vibha Dave Joshi, Chetna Savita, Shobha Chaturvedi, Shailendra Sharma

International Journal of Life Sciences Research

ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)

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Abstract: The present study was designed to investigate the cytotoxic and thrombolytic activity of ethanol extract of leaves of Elatostema papillosum. Ethanol extract of Elatostema papillosum, was used to evaluate its cytotoxicity in Brine shrimp lethality bioassay where vincristin sulphate was used as standard drug. Thrombolytic effect of the fraction was investigated in clot lysis experiment. In Brine shrimp lethality bioassay, LC50 value of the extract was 2467.13μg/mland vincristin sulphate served as the positive control showed LC50 value 10.51 μg/ml. The extract exerted 50.86%lysis of the blood clot in thrombolytic activity test while 85.25%.And7.75%lyses were obtained for positive control (streptokinase) and negative control respectively. Compared to vincristin sulphate, it is evident that the ethanol extractof leaves of Elatostema papillosum were cytotoxic. So, the extract possessed considerable thrombolytic activity. Which compounds is responsible for the present pharmacological actions and to know their mechanism of action, extensive pharmacological and phytochemical experiments are essential.

Keywords: Elatostema papillosum, Cytotoxic Activity, Thrombolytic Activity, Vincristine, Streptokinase.

Title: Study on In-Vitro Cytotoxic and Thrombolytic Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Elatostema Papillosum Leaves

Author: Naymul Karim, Md Hossan Sakib, Rana Dhar, Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, Asif Al Mahmood, Muhammad Sazzad Hossain, Sadequr Rahman

International Journal of Life Sciences Research

ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)

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Abstract: A study was conducted to assess the water quality of a manmade lake supplied with reclaimed water in Dubai. Tests were performed to determine whether or not microbiological and physico-chemical parameters complied with local standards. The microbiological properties tested were above local requirements. Those results reflect the potential occurrence of infectious agents in the water that could be a risk to public health in cases of direct or indirect contact with the water. To identify the possible causes of water impairment, physico-chemical parameters were assessed. The results showed that the majority of them including pH, temperature, conductivity, total suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, and phosphates were within the local standards for reclaimed water discharged into lakes, whether natural or artificial. However, total chlorine and free chlorine levels, which are indicators of chlorine residual concentrations in the water, were not within the local recommended range. 0.1 mg/L Cl2 of free chlorine was found in all samples, and total chlorine levels oscillated between 0.1 and 0.2 mg/L Cl2 while values for both parameters should vary between 1 and 2 mg/L Cl2. The low levels of chlorine residuals found in the lake seem to be correlated with the high concentrations of indicator bacteria. The dissipation of chlorine in the distribution systems transporting the reclaimed water from the wastewater treatment plants to the lake, which is the end point of use where the water is stored, probably favors the persistence and regrowth of pathogens in the reclaimed water.

Keywords: reclaimed water, water quality, microbiological parameters, physico-chemical parameters, lake, free chlorine, total chlorine.

Title: Assessment of Water Quality of a Manmade Lake in Dubai UAE

Author: Mohammad Armin, Aimina Ayoub, Ryan Sisson, Rami El Khatib

International Journal of Life Sciences Research

ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)

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Abstract: Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl. is a herbaceous epiphytic orchid that is found in the following locations: Yunnan, China; Assam, India; Bangladesh; Eastern Himalayas; Nepal;Western Himalayas; Sri Lanka; Myanmar; Thailand; and Vietnam.A.roxburghii plant provides valuable medicinal material. A. formosanus is a terrestrial orchid that is widely distributed in Taiwan and Fujian Province of China and in Japan. A.roxburghii has been used as a Chinese folk medicine for many years. However, few reports on its in vitro regeneration are available. Thus, expanding A. roxburghii(Wall.) Lindl. sources is important. In this paper, a rapid micropropagation and cell culture system was established for wild A.roxburghii harvested from Yunnan. We designed an optimized induction medium for protocorm-like bodies, and the medium comprised the following: Murashige and Skoog(MS) medium +2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acidat 1 mg/L + kinetinat 0.5 mg/L+1-naphthalene acetic acidat 1 mg/L+6-benzyladenineat 0.5 mg/L+1% agar+3% sucrose. This medium was tested and was shown to be equally suitable for shoot culture after 8 weeks. The culture was maintained up to 12 weeks. Other cultures were initiated from shoots inoculated on MS medium supplemented individually with different concentrations of hormones. Medium supplemented with 3% (w/v)sucrose was the best among all treatments.The major bioactive compounds of A.roxburghii and A. formosanus were polysaccharides, amino acids,and alkaloids, and these compounds were obtained from whole plants of both species. The dried and powdered extracts fromwhole plantswere obtained by ethanol extraction using Soxhlet method. When whole plants were subjected to ethanol extraction,the polysaccharide, amino acid, and alkaloid levelsin A.roxburghii were 5.2%,8.2%, and 3.8% and those in A.formosanus were 6%–8%,4.7%, and 7.6%, respectively.

Keywords: In vitro culture, Orchids, Anoectochilus roxburghii, Orchidaceae, Natural products, Anoectochilus formosanus.

Title: Comparative Study of the Chemical Components of Anoectochilus Roxburghii and Anoectochilus Formosanus Tissue Culture

Author: N. M. Reda Refish, C.H. Fu, M.G.  Wang

International Journal of Life Sciences Research

ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)

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Abstract: The distribution pattern of PSB was assessed in cultivated soils. PSB isolates were used for the production of IAA, measurement of pH and titrable acidity and germination of seeds. Nine strains namely PSB1, PSB2, PSB3, PSB4, PSB5, PSB6, PSB7, PSB8 and PSB9 were identified. Testing of these strains for phosphate solubilization revealed that among these, three were able to perform well (PSB1, PSB2, and PSB5) and among these three strains PSB 1 was found to be superior in forming halo zone of phosphate solubilization followed by PSB 5. The population level of PSB were highest in rhizosphere soil of Chilly (Capsicum) followed by Solanum, Radish and lowest in the rhizosphere soil of Banana. Further all isolates were able to secrete IAA and acid phosphatase under invitro condition. All the PSB strains were able to grow well in the pH range between 4.5-6.7. The seeds that were inoculated with PSB strains showed faster germination and linear growth.

Keywords: phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), screening, distribution pattern, IAA.

Title: Isolation Distribution and Screening of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria from Different Crop Fields

Author: A.Sangeetha, V.Kavitha

International Journal of Life Sciences Research

ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)

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Abstract: It is estimated that 60 % of the Indian landmass is susceptible to earthquakes of moderate to very high intensity. Earthquakes can disrupt progress and destroy the outcome of developmental efforts over several years. The loss in terms of private and public assets is astronomical, pushing the country back economically by several decades.

Scientific advancements have made it possible to foretell almost all natural disasters with fair degree of accuracy in terms of geographical coverage, likely time of impact and duration of sustenance.  However, technology has not yet reached a level where the occurrence of earthquakes can be predicted.

Earthquakes may have widely varying impacts. For example, an earthquake of Magnitude 5 on the Richter Scale might inflict much more damage than an earthquake of magnitude 6 depending on the epicenter and other geographical and infrastructural variables.

In view of the above, the need to evolve an effective quantitative measure of the seismic hazard needs no emphasis. There is, thus, a need to develop metrics, based on rigorous mathematical model, which can be used and interpreted appropriately.

This paper proposes a predictive model for quantitative determination of Seismic Hazard Probability based on the likely occurrence of the quake and facilitates direct comparison of the relative seismic risk in different parts of the country.

Keywords: Earthquakes, Peak Ground Acceleration, Seismic Hazard, Seismic Zoning Map, Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis, Seismic Hazard Probability.

Title: A Predictive Model for Quantitative Determination of Seismic Hazard Probability

Author: Ajeet Bajpai, Dr. NC Wadhwa, Dr. VK Mahna

International Journal of Life Sciences Research

ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)

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Abstract: Fly ash refers to grey coloured post high temperature combustion residues particles of coal. We can say that the fly ash constituent is the main abiotic portion of the pond,   which directly affects the biodiversity of pond. The biological characteristics (present fauna) depend on the physio-chemical properties of water body, so they also show differences in their existence, community structure, in diversity and density.

Keywords: fly ash, Fauna, pozzolonic, Biodiversity, Micro and Macro Fauna

Title: Study of Fauna Diversity (Micro and Macro) In Fly Ash Discharge Pond In Relation To It’s Physio-Chemical Properties

Author: Vandana Singh, Dr. Shweta Sao

International Journal of Life Sciences Research

ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)

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Abstract: In the present study, endophytes have been analyzed as a source of antimicrobial agents for the treatment and prevention of plant and human diseases. The endophytic fungi were isolated and then fungal culture broth, fungal mycelia and the crude extract was evaluated for antimicrobial activity against twelve test pathogens using agar well diffusion bioassay. An endophytic fungal isolate obtained from the leaf of Syzygium cumini showed antimicrobial activity against seven bacterial and five fungal test pathogens (involving two plant fungal pathogens). The antimicrobial compound was broad spectrum in action and also showed activity against the fungal test pathogens which could not be inhibited by the standard antibiotic fluconazol (in 1mg/ml concentration). The minimal inhibitory values of the crude extract ranged from 0.234 to 32000µg/ml.

Keywords: Endophytes, human diseases, crude extract, antimicrobial compound, broad spectrum.

Title: Antagonistic Activity Of Endophytic Fungi Isolated From Syzygium Cumini (L.) Skeels

Author: Dr. Pranay Jain, Priyanka Sharma

International Journal of Life Sciences Research

ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)

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