bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ANTIBACTERIAL POTENTIAL OF PLANT PARTS OF Ficus racemosa AGAINST HUMAN PATHOGENS AND GC-MS ANALYSIS
Authors: SEBASTIAN PARIMALA CELIA MARIA , EDWARD FERDINAND PELRON , RAMASAMY MANIKANDAN , RAMACHANDRAN RAJAKUMAR 
Published: October 2022

The leaves, stem, bark and fruit samples of Ficus racemosa were collected from Arumparthapuram, Puducherry District. Tamil Nādu. The samples were processed. Powdered plant parts were individually extracted with solvents such as ethanol, methanol, acetone, Dimethyl sulfoxide and water. Antibacterial activity of the extract was done by disc diffusion method. The solvent extracts of plant parts were prepared and tested against MCC cultures such as Acinetobacter baumannii (MCC-2076), Pseudomonas otitidis (MCC-2509), Pseudomonas oleovorans (MCC-2566), Enterococcus faecalis (MCC-2041) and Bacillus cereus (MCC-2039). Antibiotic susceptibility testing of MCC cultures were carried out using 8 antibiotics. All the 5 MCC cultures exhibited antibiotic resistance towards the antibiotics used. Ficus racemosa fruit extract showed maximum activity against Pseudomonas oleovorans (21mm) and Pseudomonas otitidis (21mm). Ficus racemosa stem extract showed maximum activity against Bacillus cereus (13mm). Leaf extract showed maximum activity (8mm) against Pseudomonas otitidis (MCC 2509) and Pseudomonas oleovorans. Ficus racemosa bark extract showed maximum activity against Bacillus cereus (17mm). Among the 4 plant parts of Ficus racemosa analysed, the fruit extract showed highest inhibitory activity. GC-MS analysis was carried out for the Ficus racemosa fruit extract. The major phytochemicals were identified as Acetic acid, 2-Furancarboxaldehyde, Methane Sulfinylbis, 2, 5 anhydro-1-6-dideoxy hexo, 2-furancarboxaldehyde, cyclohexane, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4h-pyran-4-one, and 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid.The phytochemicals contribute the antimicrobial properties responsible for the therapeutic effect of plant part.
Marketing Challenges Faced by Seaweed Farmers in Zanzibar, Tanzania
Authors: Burra Nina Joan , Devi K. N. Usha 
Published: October 2022

Aim/Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the marketing challenges faced by Zanzibar’s seaweed producers and to recommend suitable strategies.
Methodology: A case study approach was adopted. The study combined semi-structured questionnaires and informal group discussions with the farmers as tools for primary data collection. A total of 592 seaweed farmers from both Unguja and Pemba participated in the study. The farmers were selected through multistage sampling. Analysis of challenges was done through the Garrett ranking method.
Results: It was found that the leading marketing challenges for seaweed farmers are the absence of minimum selling price (MSP), limited buyers and the inability to set prices. The absence of MSP was linked to the absence of the industry’s supporting policies. At the same time, limited buyers emanated from the lack of the industry’s business strategy, limited linkage to the domestic market and lack of export differentiation. Farmers’ inability to set prices was found to be a result of exporters’ setting buying prices. Similarly, the study found that the farmers face intense competition due to limited production variety and being large in number. Farmers also were found to have limited marketing and promotional skills and lacked business strategies.
Conclusion: Several interventions are required to support the seaweed farmers in Zanzibar. First, the creation of guiding industry’s business and marketing/product strategies. Further creation of the industry’s guiding and supporting policies is crucial. Second, establishing domestic demand and linking the industry to its potential users at individual and industrial levels is critical for the survival of Zanzibar’s seaweed industry. Third, the establishment of carrageenan extraction industries to establish export product differentiation. Capacity-building training is vital for farmers in agri-business and financial management areas. Government procurement and provision of storage facilities to minimise the offloading challenge are also needed to lessen the effect of same-time offloading, which exposes farmers to low prices. Lastly, financial assistance should also be provided to promote and upscale seaweed value-addition activities on the island.
Originality/Value: Examination of marketing challenges faced by seaweed farmers in Zanzibar was conducted using the Garrett ranking technique, and suitable recommendations were proposed.
Identification and in vitro Evaluation of Environmental Stress Resilient Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacterial Consortia for Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Srija A. , Latha P. C. , Tejashree M. , Reddy K. Pavan Chandra , Triveni S. , Bandeppa S. , Phule Amol S. , Venkatanna B. 
Published: October 2022

The present study screened bacteria isolated from rice rhizosphere for various beneficial traits related to three categories of plant growth promotion, abiotic stress tolerance, and compatibility with multiple agrichemicals to identify a microbial consortium that performs better than individual isolates in improving rice growth under normal and stressful environmental conditions. Among thirty-two isolates screened, 29, 9, 20 isolates were able to solublilize insoluble minerals of nutrients like phosphorous, potassium and zinc respectively. About 29, 31, 23, 17 isolates were found to possess the traits of IAA, ammonia, siderophore and HCN production respectively. Abiotic stress related traits of salinity, drought and high temperature tolerance were displayed by 8, 2 and 10 isolates respectively when examined for their growth in NaCl (4%, 6% 8%), in PEG (64 g/l equivalent to -0.73Mpa) and at 45℃ temperature. Agrichemical tolerant isolates were identified by screening for compatibility with fertilizers and commonly used rice pesticides. Based on the scores assigned during screening tests, 9 best isolates, three from each category, were selected for development of consortia. Our aim in this initial study was to identify three consortia (C-1, 2 and 3) consisting of three compatible bacteria, and to evaluate their effect on rice seed germination and seedling growth under normal in vitro conditions. C1 enhanced the growth of rice when compared with individual strains, C2 and C3 with highest vigour index I, II values of 1616 ± 18 and 5.47 ± 0.68 respectively. The 16S rRNA sequence analysis identified the bacterial isolates in C1 as Achromobacter sp, Stenotrophomonas sp and Pseudomonas stutzeri. Therefore, this study has identified a unique consortium that can be used for rice growth promotion while simultaneously demonstrating the advantage of bacterial consortia over single isolate inoculants under non stressed conditions.
Performance of Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) Varieties Sown on Ridge under Front Line Demonstration at Farmer’s Field in Deoria District of Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Meena Kamlesh , Srivastva Rajneesh , Singh Shamsher , Tiwari Ajay 
Published: October 2022

Aims: The production of pigeon pea is lower than the other pulse crops due to non-adoption of recommended high-yielding varieties and advanced technologies by the farming community in the eastern plains of Uttar Pradesh. To replace this anomalous, we conducted 152 front-line demonstrations (FLDs) at farmers' fields in various adopted villages by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Deoria.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Malhana, Deoria, under the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research, Varanasi, UP. A total of 90, 12 and 50 FLDs were conducted sown on ridge method with three varieties of pigeon pea (Narendra Arhar 1, Pusa Bahar and Narendra Arhar 2) from 2014-15 to 2018-19 respectively.
Methodology: Conducted 152 front-line demonstrations (FLDs) at farmers' fields in various adopted villages by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Deoria. Cultivation practices comprised under FLD viz. improved varieties, sowing methods, irrigation, date of sowing, seed treatment, spacing, balance use of fertilizers, intercultural operations, and plant protection measures etc.
Results: Showed an increase in yield of pigeon pea varieties sown on ridge from 4.76–39.20% over traditional cultivation practices. As presented in Fig. 3, the technology gap was highest in Narendra Arhar 1 (1680 kg/ha) during 2016-17 and lowest in Narendra Arhar 2 (340 kg/ha) during 2018-19. The analysis of data for extension gap showed that Narendra Arhar 2 had the highest gap (540 kg/ha) during 2017-18 and Narendra Arhar 1 had the lowest gap (60 kg/ha) during 2016-17. The technology index was highest (56%) in Narendra Arhar 1 in 2016-17 and lowest (15%) in Narendra Arhar 2 in 2018-19.
Conclusion: The lower the value of the technology index, the more feasible the technology is in the eastern plains of UP.
The Prevalence of Malaria Parasites and the Dynamics of Malaria Vectors in Adenta-Barrier in Ghana
Authors: Agyapong Genevive Afia Amoakoa , Nikoi Cindy Naadei , Waqas Fahad Bin , Akanlu Servacious A. , Bunkunmi Shittu D. , Mohammed Abdul Rahim , Osisiogu Emmanuel Udochukwu 
Published: October 2022

Background: Malaria burden is generally lower in urban settings. Urban malaria is likely to surge due to rapid and unplanned urbanization. Hence, this study sought to determine the prevalence of malaria parasite and malaria vectors in Adenta-barrier, a suburb of Adentan Municipality.
Methods: The study followed a cross sectional study design pattern. Mosquitoes were collected from 40 houses in the study site using the pyrethrum spray catches (PSC) method, and malaria parasite screening was carried out on 90 participants. A well-structured form was used to record data on the use of insecticide-treated nets, insecticide spray, and mosquito coil in the community. The mosquitoes collected were morphologically identified.
Results: The malaria parasite prevalence at the study site was 1.1%, and the use of insecticide-treated nets, insecticide spray, and mosquito coil were 13.4%, 7.5%, and 11.9% respectively. As far as vector abundance were concerned, habitat, resting and feeding behavior were taken into consideration. The majority of the mosquitoes collected during the study were Culex 95.7% (22), and the rest was Aedes 4.3% (1). Both Culex and Aedes mosquitoes were found in resting states. Study participants reported majority (80%) of the bites they sustained to have occurred during the early hours of the day. The study area also possessed several easily identifiable breeding sites for mosquitoes.
Conclusion: The prevalence of malaria in the study area was low and no Anopheles mosquitoes was found. The majority of mosquito species present in the locality was Culex with a few Aedes.
Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Preterm Birth at Irene-Neto Lubango Provincial Maternity- Huila /Angola
Authors: Francisco Ketha , Ussanje Belo , Chitungu Joana , Luggatti Lorenzo 
Published: October 2022

According to WHO (2018), almost 15 million babies are born every year before 37 weeks of pregnancy, the majority taking place in Sub Saharan Africa and in south Asia. Preterm birth is a common complication of pregnancy and usually bore heavy short- and long-term medical, socio-economic and financial burden to the affected children, the family, the heath system and the community as all. Angola with one of the highest fertility rates in the world, 6.2 according to the DHS 2015-2016, coupled with the fact that preterm birth is regarded as a traumatic social even for the parent and a quite expensive condition to the health system will need to stablish the main risk factors for preterm birth in order to inform strategies to prevent its occurrence.
We conducted an hospital based cross sectional study to determine the prevalence and the risk factors of preterm birth at Irene Neto Maternity Hospital- Lubango-Angola.
Three trained research assistants were recruited from the post labour wards and the new born unit and trained to collect data. Gestational age was calculated using a standard obstetric wheel based on menstrual dates or first trimester ultrasound (when available). A Newborn clinical assessment using the Finnstrom Score aided by a printed pictorial scoring chart was then conducted within 24 hours of birth, by a trained medical Doctor for confirmation.
17.7% of women giving birth at Lubango maternity hospital had a preterm new-born.
Among the socio- demographics factors, only maternal age (p :0.021), family income(p:0.032), use of alcohol (p: 0.013) and lack ANC (p: <0.001) were associated with premature birth. Clinical factors found to increase the risk of premature birth included Antecedent of hypertension (p: 0.021), Preeclampsia (p: 0.026), Malaria (p:0.001) and multiple gestation (p: 0.01).
Only antecedent of premature birth (p:0.0049), lack of antenatal care (p<0.001), malaria (p:0.009) and multiple gestation (p: 0.001) remained significant after controlling for confounders.
Premature birth is still a public health problem in Angola, principally among pregnant women who do not attend ANC clinic and those with multiple gestation. Malaria infection during pregnancy as well as preeclampsia are also serious predictors of premature birth.
With a prevalence of 17.7%, premature birth is a still a serious problem at lubangopediatric hospital and deserve a multisectoral well-coordinated action.
ANC clinic should be actively promoted, improved and expended.
Pregnant women with antecedent of premature birth should be closely monitored
Preeclampsia and malaria should be prevented, searched and serious treated when present during pregnancy.
We the recommend a Multicentre and large sample size, longitudinal observational analytic study for better understanding of the principal predictors at a country level.
Metabolic Control Analysis of Monoclonal Antibody Synthesis
Authors: Gonzalez Ramon , Asenjo Juan A. , Andrews Barbara A. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractA general route for protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells has been proposed and applied to monoclonal antibody (MAb) synthesis. It takes into account transcription of the gene, binding of ribosomes to mRNA, and polypeptide elongation including binding to SRP (signal recognition particles) and SRP‐receptor, competing translocation, folding and glycosylation, assembly of the heavy and light chains in a tetrameric protein and Golgi processing and secretion. A comprehensive model was built on the basis of the proposed pathway. The model takes into account the mechanism of each step. Metabolic control analysis (MCA) principles were applied to the general pathway using the proposed model, and control coefficients were calculated. The results show a shared flux control (of both pathway flux and flux ratio at the branch) among different steps, i.e., transcription, folding, glycosylation, translocation and building blocks synthesis. The steps sharing the control depend on the concentration of building blocks, pathway flux and levels of OST (oligosacharyl transferase), BiP (heavy chain binding protein) and PDI (protein disulfide isomerase). Model predictions compare well with experimental data for MAb synthesis, explaining the control structure of the route and the heterogeneity of the product and also addressing future targets for improvement of the production rate of MAbs.
Permeabilization of Metabolites from Biologically Viable Soybeans (Glycine max)
Authors: Wang Henry Y. , Komolpis Kittinan , Kaufman Peter B. , Malakul Pomthong , Shotipruk Artiwan 
Published: July 2002

AbstractChemical permeabilization has been widely studied for the release useful metabolites from many types of plant cells and tissues. In this study, the effect of 0−30% (v/v) of aqueous methanol solutions were used to permeabilize soybeans for the release of two isoflavonoids: daidzein and genistein. The release of these metabolites increases with increasing methanol concentrations. The amounts of daidzein and genistein released can increase up to 40‐ and 86‐fold, respectively, when incubated in a 30% (v/v) methanol solution for 24 h compared with those incubated with water only. The effect of methanol on the release rates is primarily due to an increase in solubility of the stored daidzein and genistein (14‐ to 18‐fold) inside the seeds, thus maximizing the concentration gradients for metabolite release. However, the viability of the seeds dropped with increase in methanol concentrations and the incubation time. The viability of soybeans (indicated by their ability to germinate) after permeabilization treatment with 0−20% (v/v) methanol solutions was maintained above 80% throughout the 24 h, whereas no seeds were found to be viable when 30% (v/v) methanol solution was used. The permeability coefficients (P) of daidzein and genistein were found to increase as the methanol concentration used was increased. These P values were estimated to range from 1.1 × 10−9 to 1.9 × 10−8 m/s and 1.0 × 10−9 to 1.7 × 10−8 m/s, respectively. The increase in Pcan be attributed primarily to an increase in the partition coefficient of the metabolites in the soybean seedcoats. An empirical correlation is proposed in which the log Pvalues are described as a function of the metabolite molecular weights and the partition coefficients of the metabolites between octanol and water, Koct/water, which was modified to include the effect of methanol present. Knowledge obtained from this study will help provide useful selection criteria for chemical permeabilization of plant tissues, such as seeds, with minimal loss in their viability.
Influence of Agitation and Sparging on the Growth Rate and Infection of Insect Cells in Bioreactors and a Comparison with Hybridoma Culture
Authors: Kioukia N. , Nienow A. W. , Al‐Rubeai M. , Emery A. N. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractSf9 insect cells have been cultivated in paired agitated 1.4 L bioreactors with and without Pluronic F‐68 and with and without sparging. The results are reported and, as appropriate, compared to those of hybridoma culture. Without sparging, the cells grew well at agitator speeds from 100 to 400 rpm (equivalent to a realistic range of specific energy dissipation rates). At the higher speeds, a small reduction in growth rate and maximum viable cell concentration was observed. This reduction was shown not to be dependent on the energy dissipation rate but to be due to bubble entrainment. These results are rather similar to those found with hybridoma cells. However, unlike hybridoma cells which grow like unsparged controls when sparged at 0.007 vvm, these insect cells at such a sparge rate show a significant reduction in growth rate and in maximum cell number. This reduction due to the presence of bubbles, whether from head space entrainment or from sparging, could be eliminated by the presence of Pluronic F‐68. These insect cells have then also been infected with recombinant or wild type AcNPV. Agitation had no effect on the rate of infection, but higher levels of MOI enhanced it. Both findings support a diffusion mechanism as previously. The presence of Pluronic F‐68 did not have any impact on the rate of infection and was able to prevent cell damage while agitating and sparging infected cells.
Absence of Na+/K+/2Cl− cotransporter activity in corneal endothelial cell plasma membrane vesicles
Authors: Lane Jason R. , Wigham Chris G. , Hodson Stuart A. 
Published: July 2002

There are various models to describe coupling between transmembrane Na− flux and transendothelial net HCO−3 flux in the cornea, including a direct coupling via a Na+/HCO−3 cotransporter or an indirect coupling utilizing a Na+/K+/2Cl− cotransporter further coupled to a Cl−/HCO−3 exchanger. In this study we investigate the presence of Na+/K+/2Cl− cotransporter activity by using corneal endothelial cell plasma membrane vesicles. By controlling the external and internal compartments of the vesicles we were able to monitor Na+ movement across the membranes.If the Na+/K+/2Cl− cotransporter is present in the corneal endothelial cell membrane vesicles then the presence of K+ should lead to a significant increase in uptake of 22Na+. The rate of accumulation of 22Na+ in the presence of K+ was 25.7 ± 2.8 nmoles Na+ mg−1 protein 15 s−1 which was not significantly different from that in the absence of K+ (23.8 ± 2.0 nmoles Na+ mg−1 protein 15 s−1) indicating that Na+ uptake into the vesicles was not dependent on K+.The present work provides no evidence for Na+/K+/2Cl− cotransport in corneal endothelial cell plasma membrane vesicles. The nature of the coupling mechanism between HCO−3 and Na+ is still unresolved.
cAMP stimulates corneal endothelial HCO−3 transport
Authors: Ogbuehi K. , Wigham C. G. , Hodson S. A. 
Published: July 2002

A previous study has demonstrated that corneal endothelial HCO−3 transport is stimulated by the non‐specific phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor IBMX. The objective of this study was to use more specific inhibitors of PDE isoenzymes to resolve which cyclic nucleotide is responsible for the observed effect of IBMX.Rolipram, an inhibitor of cAMP hydrolysing PDE, and Zaprinast, an inhibitor of cGMP hydrolysing PDE, were added to de‐epithelialized corneas mounted in vitro in modified Ussing‐type chambers. Trans‐endothelial potential difference (Pde), resistance (Re) and short circuit current (SCC) were measured. To determine if Rolipram and Zaprinast increased cyclic nucleotide concentrations the intracellar concentrations of cAMP and cGMP were also determined.Rolipram (0.1 mM) significantly increased SCC in a transient manner. The maximum stimulated value for SCC was 16 ± 3% above control (mean ± SEM, n = 4). Rolipram also increased [cAMP]i from782 ± 29 to 2167 ± 111 pM mg−1 protein (mean ± SEM, n = 36). Zaprinast (0.5 mM) reversibly reduced SCC by 9 ± 3% (mean ± SEM, n = 3) and did not change [cGMP]i which measured 370 ± 15 pM mg−1 protein (mean ± SEM, n = 36). Neither drug affected Re. These results demonstrate that PDE induced elevation of [cAMP]i can increase corneal endothelial HCO−3 transport and that cGMP is apparently unchanged and without effect.
Effects of induced transverse chromatic aberration from an afocal prismatic lens on spatio–temporal sensitivity1
Authors: Faubert J. , Simonet P. , Gresset J. 
Published: July 2002

SummaryThe goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of ophthalmic lens‐induced transverse chromatic aberrations (TCA) in natural viewing conditions on spatio–temporal thresholds. Three psychophysical experiments were performed; the first isolating the spatial component, the second isolating the temporal component and the third assessing spatio–temporal combinations. Taken together, the results show that TCA has profound effects on medium to high spatial frequencies (above 1 cpd) consistent with previous studies, and that the ratio of deficit TCA/blur can be higher than 2:1 for equivalent dioptric strengths. Furthermore, the results of Experiment 1 and 3 taken together show that the relative sensitivity loss caused by TCA can differ significantly between individuals and that a possible factor for this differential loss is the overall baseline spatio–temporal sensitivity profile of the individual.