生物工程与生物医学杂志

Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations of inspiratory airflow in asymmetric bifurcations have been performed in order to determine the influence of the asymmetry and Reynolds number on pressure losses over a physiological relevant range for pulmonary airways; thus the results of this work can contribute to the understanding of respiratory ventilation in health and in disease. A key a priori insight to the design of the study is that the flow distribution in respiratory bifurcations can be largely independent of the local losses; and therefore, is predetermined by the boundary conditions in these calculations. The results, presented in the form of pressure loss coefficients, indicate that asymmetry and downstream conditions are significant for severe restrictions and laminar flow; but are relatively insignificant for turbulent flow conditions and for flow through the healthy branch.

Lectins are ubiquitous in nature and one of the most important secondary metabolites in plants. They are heterogeneous class of proteins that bind specifically and reversibly to carbohydrates and are used as a defence tool against various abiotic and biotic stresses. In this study, we describe generation of transgenic Brassica juncea plants over-expressing chickpea lectin in conferring fungal resistance. In addition, the transgenic plants also showed resistance against salinity (NaCl) and mannitol induced drought stress. The stable integration and transcript expression of the transgene was confirmed by southern blot and RT-PCR analysis in the transgenic plants. The transgenic lines were evaluated for resistance against Alternaria brassicae as assessed by the number and size of lesions and time taken for leaf necrosis, the Alternaria infection was delayed and restricted in the transgenic plants with the protection varying from 36-60% in different transgenic lines compared to the Untransformed Control (UC) plants. In addition, the transgenic Brassica juncea plants also showed tolerance against high salinity and drought stress. The Expression of lectin gene imparts greater water retention capacity, higher proline content and more chlorophyll retention with less membrane damage and reduction in electrolyte leakage in the transgenic plants compared to UC. Together, these findings suggest the potential use of chickpea lectin gene to engineer the crop plants for broad spectrum biotic and abiotic stress tolerance to improve crop productivity.

Cardiac diseases are more prevalent in diabetics, hypertensives and diabetics with hypertentension. Prevention is possible if they are diagnosed at the preclinical stage. Such diagnostic practises can control mrotality and morbidity rate.

Methods and subjects: Study is conducted with 27 normal subjects, 40 diabetic subjects with and without myocardial ischemia/infaction and 23 hypertensive subjects with and without diabetes. An attempt is made to find out the sympathetic power and it’s correlation to Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in the diabetic subjects and hypertensive subjects with and without diabetes. All the cases are recorded at Fortis-S.L.Raheja hospital Mahim (W). ECG samples of 3-5 minute duration in sittng and supine position are collected. Randomness in age, class, sex and other parameters in ensured on the basis of the data collection as per the registration of the subjects.

Thirteen Rhizobial isolates were recovered from the root nodule of Faba bean (Viciae faba L.) grown in different geographic locations and soil properties in Egypt. The tested isolates were identified as R. leguminosarum sv. Viciae on the bases of morphological, biochemical characteristics and sequences of the gene encoding 16s rRNA. Rhizobium isolates were tested for their ability to utilize different carbon sources. Mannitol and Glucose were the best source of carbon. All tested isolates from Vicia faba differ in IAA production. The maximum amount of IAA production was in the range of (2.04 μg/ml) for Al Arish isolate to (7.5 μg/ml) for Ismailia isolate among the studied isolates. A great ability to degrade Roundup herbicide among the tested isolates was observed. Sues City isolate was the best active degrading Roundup herbicide on plates. All of the tested isolates showed resistances to (25 and 50 mg/ml) expect isolate RL7 was sensitive at high Roundup herbicide concentration, while isolates RL5, RL6, RL8, RL10 and RL13 were the most tolerance at 50 mg/ml herbicide. South Sinai, Zefta, Rafah, El-Menia, Cairo and Ismailia isolates shared a common band with mol. wt. of 70 KDa. New protein types were detected due to the differential response of the five isolates to the effects of the environment stress.

The Transcranial LED Therapy (TCLT) is a modality of low-level energy therapy based on the principle of photons delivered in a non-invasive manner for the rehabilitation of some neurological conditions such as psychological disorders, traumatic brain injuries, and neurodegenerative diseases among others. Because the phototherapy approach has attracted interest in the scientific medical field we discuss the action of TCLT at the cellular level in this review. Cytochrome c oxidase is the main target of TCLT for therapeutic effects by enhancing cerebral blood flow. This enzyme boosts cell respiration and energy production, which induces cell proliferation and reduces apoptosis in Alzheimer and Parkinson’s diseases. Thus, TCLT is a safe, non-invasive, and low cost alternative treatment compared to other treatment modalities for clinical neurological disorders.

Nowadays, tricalcium phosphate TCP (Ca₃ (PO₄)₂) that belongs to the group of calcium phosphate (CaPs) biomaterials as a hot topic of research for bone tissue repair applications. In this investigation, TCP powder was synthesized by mechanical activation (MA) method as a solid state process. The mixture was composed of a blend of pure calcite (CaCO₃) and silica amorphous (SiO2) powder with 57% wt. and 43% wt., respectively. Then, the powder mixture milled by high energy ball mill with ball to powder ratio (BPR) 15:1 and rotation speed 600 rpm for 10 h. After then, the materials milled heated at three temperatures 900ºC, 1000ºC and 1100°C for 2 h in muffle furnace at the air atmosphere. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and BET technique performed on heated powders to characterize. According to XRD results, the patterns show that the phase TCP was just appeared in the mixture milled for 10 h. In addition, based on modified Scherer equation the TCP crystalline size was determined 40 nm. In fact, the present investigation indicated that TCP powder was composed of Nano-crystallite structure, 30-40 nm, can be prepared by MA method at 900°C or 1000°C to use as a new biomaterials for tissue engineering application.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is usually acquired in early childhood. H. pylori infection is associated with several upper gastrointestinal disorders. Since H. pylori affects about 50% of the population in their lifetime therefore there is a necessity to examine the extent of the disease and to study the risk factors associated with H. pylori infection. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the rate of H. pylori infection among the target population.

Methods: This study included one hundred seventy eight randomly selected participants by interview and questionnaire. The independent variables included in the questionnaire were: age, sex, weight, marital status, smoking, drink tea, drink coffee, type of drinking water during childhood and adulthood (filtered, unfiltered water). HpSAg test were used to detect antigen in stool specimen.

Results: In crude analysis, the infection risk was associated with type of drinking water during childhood with P value=0.018. Tea drinking seemed to be a protective factor against H. pylori infection.

Conclusions: The independent variables were considered as risk factors with peptic ulcer disease. H. pylori infection appears to be multifactorial. The results of this work supported the hypothesis that H. pylori acquisition occurs early in childhood and persist throughout life.

Today, if India has emerged as the largest producer of milk in the world, it is due to the untiring efforts of millions of rural milk producers across the country. India is the world?s single largest milk country accenting for around 15 per cent of the world milk production. It ranks first in Buffalo milk production (66 per cent of the world?s milk production). Milk and milk products are a major source of cheap and nutritious food to millions of people in India and the only acceptable source of animal protein for a large vegetarian segment of Indian population. Dairying provides livelihood to millions of small and marginal farmers. It also provides the main source of income next to agriculture. This study will be helpful to know about the socio-economic conditions of the members, especially in the areas of income, employment, and profit through dairy co-operatives. The Government should also take necessary steps to reserve adequate acreage of suitable land for raising fodder, in order to arrest the rise in prices. It is suggested that banks should give more loans and subsidies to the people who are involving in dairy activities especially for the purchase of milch animals.

Background: HIV–tuberculosis (TB) co-infection has emerged as a major public health threat throughout the world. According to the 2013 WHO global TB report, there were 1.1 million (13%) TB/HIV co-infection, among these, the African Region (essentially sub-Saharan Africa) had by far highest TB/HIV co-infection (75%). In 2012, WHO estimated 230,000 new cases of TB in Ethiopia (247 per 100,000); of whom 9819 (10%) were HIV positive. On the other hand treatment outcome for HIV/TB co-infected patients are worse than those TB only patients. The aim of this study was to assess tuberculosis treatment outcome among HIV infected TB patients in southwest Ethiopia.

Methods: We analyzed the records of 2150 tuberculosis patients registered at Mizan Aman General Hospital from June 2010 to July 2013. Tuberculosis type and treatment outcome were categorized according to the national tuberculosis control program guideline. Data analysis was performed using the statistical package SPSS for windows, version 20.

Results: Of 2150 records reviewed, 397 (18.5%) TB patients (210 male and 187 female) were found to be positive for HIV. Treatment success rates of HIV infected TB patients after completion of dose regimen was 29% (115). Of which, 4% (16) were cured, 24.9% (99) treatment completed, 1.3% (5) defaulted, and 5.5% (22) were died.

Conclusion: A high prevalence of HIV infection, and poor treatment success rate was observed among tuberculosis patients. A high proportion of TB patients’ died, which is a serious public health concern that needs to be addressed urgently. Thus, to improve TB treatment outcomes TB/HIV integration as well as improved counseling and health education to reduce treatment interruption is required in our setting.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious global public health problem and is the second most common cause of death from infectious disease. The aim of this study was to assess trends of TB and treatment outcomes in the past four years in Mizan Aman General Hospital, Southwestern Ethiopia.

Methods: We analyzed the records of 2150 tuberculosis patients registered at Mizan Aman General Hospital from June 2010 to July 2013. Tuberculosis type and treatment outcome were categorized according to the national tuberculosis control program guideline. Data analysis was performed using the statistical package SPSS for windows, version 20.

Results: From the total of 2150 TB patients registered during the indicated period, 2090 (97.2%) were new cases and 60 (2.8%) were re-treated cases. Of which, 1125 (52.3%) were smear negative pulmonary TB (SNPTB) cases and the rest, 532 (24.7%) and 493 (23%) were smear positive pulmonary TB (SPPTB) and extra pulmonary TB (EPTB) cases respectively. Trends of all forms of TB increased from 363 in 2010 to 634 in 2011, and decreased in the year 2012 (330), and then, increased in the year 2013 (823). Regarding treatment outcomes, 561 (26.1%) were successfully treated, 26 (1.2%) defaulted, 49 (2.3%) died, and 1514(70.4%) patients were transferred out. Age and year of enrollment of TB patients were associated with higher treatment success (P<0.05). On the other hand, patient category, HIV status and year of enrollment of TB patients were significantly associated with death rate (P<0.05).

Conclusion: TB in the hospital showed a fluctuating pattern for the last four years and the proportion of SNPTB cases was highest compared to cases of SPPTB and EPTB. The treatment success of all types of TB was unsatisfactory, which is a serious public health concern that needs to be addressed.

Hand foot and mouth disease is an acute viral illness caused by the Coxsackie virus. The contagious nature of the disease is threatening as the disease primarily affects the children of school going age. As the name suggests, typical lesions will be seen over the hands, feet and in the oral cavity. The child gets irritated, febrile and lethargic. Oral lesions can add up to the general weakness as the child becomes reluctant to food. Diagnosis can be made based on the clinical features alone. As the disease outbreaks were reported from neighbouring countries like China and other South Eastern countries, awareness amongst the dentists, general physicians and dermatologists usually can play a role in reducing the suffering of the patient. This case report describes about a 3 year old male child presenting with typical ulcerative lesions over the hands, feet and oral mucosa.