Annual Research & Review in Biology
Permanent URI for this collection
Chief Editor: Prof. George Perry,
ISSN: 2347-565X
Frequency: Quarterly
Language: English
Open Access Peer-reviewed journal
Web site: https://www.journalarrb.com/index.php/ARRB
Browse
Browsing Annual Research & Review in Biology by Issue Date
Now showing 1 - 20 of 592
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Biometry of Mandible in Tiger (Panthera tigris).(2011-01) Tiwari, Y; Taluja, J S; Vaish, RThe jaw of tiger (Panthera tigris) is derived for predation with powerful killing bites. They use large canine in a shearing bite to the throat of prey for severing nerves and blood vessels causing rapid collapse. The present study was proposed to keep on record the gross anatomical features of mandible of tiger. Gross anatomical study was conducted on mandibles of 3 adult tigers (age more than 8 years) of either sex. It was found that the mandible was the largest and thickest bone of the skull weighing 350.9gm. It forms the lower jaw in tiger. The mandible was formed of 2 halves which were symmetrical to each other and were fused rostrally by symphysis. Each half was consisted of one horizontal rod like part, it was flattened mediolaterally and thicker anteriorly. The other part was vertical, short plate like dorsal border of symphysis was bearing alveoli for teeth. The alveoli of each corner were larger for canine and medial to this 3 small alveoli were present on each side for incisors. The dorsal border of horizontal part of mandible was having 3 alveoli for only 3 cheek teeth on each side. The mandibular and mental foramina were large. It can be stated from the present study that the mandible of tiger can be differentiated on gross morphological and morphometrical parameters with leopard by presence of 3 incisor teeth and more prominent angle of mandible.Item Effects of Breast Cancer Stem Cell Extract Primed Dendritic Cell Transplantation on Breast Cancer Tumor Murine Models.(2011-01) Phuc, Pham Van; Hou, Chi Jee; Nguyet, Nguyen Thi Minh; Thuy, Duong Thanh; Dong, Le Van; Kiet, Truong DinhCancer stem cells are considered as an origin of cancer. Cancer stem cells can cause tumors in mice models. Recent studies proved the efficacy of some promising therapies to treat cancers. Dendritic cell (DC) therapy is one of the best promising therapies to treat cancer. In recent years, DC therapy is performed by using primed cancer cell antigens of DC to immune organism body. This research aims to combine DC therapy with cancer stem cell antigen for treating breast cancer in murine models. DCs were derived from mouse bone marrow monocytes. Then they were primed with the breast cancer cell antigen prior to employ into the tumor mice model. This was performed to determine whether the DCs would capture and eventually migrate, be present in the spleen and present the cancer antigens to autologous CD8 T cells; induce the activation of the CTL response. The existence of tumors in mice was evaluated after 15-60 days from transplantation. The results showed that 40% mice of the experimental group, with injected breast cancer stem cell antigen loaded DCs, got tumors after 18 transplantation days. But in control group 100% mice got tumors after 15 transplantation days. It is also noticed that transplanted DCs could migrate into spleen, stimulate CD8 T cells and CD45 T cells proliferation. Specially, the ratio of CD8 T cells strongly increased in comparison to control or normal mice. These results are important and provides most required initial platform to do further experiment. Results of this study also established a promising novel targeting therapy for cancer, especially for breast cancer.Item Editorial.(2011-01) Perry, GeorgeItem Studies on the Effect of Lugol’s Iodine on Reproductive Efficiency of Dairy Cattle.(2011-04) Pandey, Prabhat; Pandey, Akhilesh; Sinha, A K; Singh, BThe present investigation was conducted to study the effect of intra uterine infusion of 20 ml Lugol’s iodine (0.25 %) on day 5 (Group I; n= 18), day 17 (Group II n= 17) on reproductive performance as compared to untreated animals (Group III; n= 18). The average inter estrus interval in the animals in treatment group I (14.12 ± 0.396 days) was significantly (P<0.01) shorter than group II (23.93 ± 0.330 days) and control group III (20.93 ± 0.870 days). The average duration (days) for first postpartum fertile estrus was shortest (88.93 ± 10.053 days) in group I, followed by group II (106.46 ± 8.743 days) and control group III (113.72 ± 7.131 days). The number of artificial insemination (A.I.) required per conception was observed to be only 1.38 in group I while the values were 1.50 and 1.91 for group II and III, respectively.Item Performance and Essential Fatty Acids Content of Dark Meat as Affected by Supplementing the Broiler Diet with Different Levels of Flaxseeds.(2011-04) Najib, Huthail; Al-Yousef, Yousef MIn recent years attention was focused on the relationship between, increased human consumption of Omega 3 fatty acids such as, C20:5 (EPA), C22:6 (DHA) & C22:5 (DPA) and lowered incidence of human coronary heart disease. These fatty acids are mainly present in fish products which could result in fishy flavor in eggs of birds, fed such ingredients. Flaxseeds were found to be a good source for linolenic acid, an important poly-unsaturated fatty acid which is a precursor for the omega 3 fatty acids. This experiment was conducted to study the effect of feeding different levels of flaxseeds on performance and essential fatty acids content of broiler dark meat. Five levels of roasted or unroasted flaxseeds: 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 % dry weight were fed to 400 broiler chickens in 4 replicates (10 birds/battery pen). Feed was given ad-libitum. Results of this experiment showed a relatively higher consumption of feed, lower body weight, higher feed conversion when flax seed level in the diet was increased beyond 5%. However, feeding 15 % flaxseed increased the omega3 fatty acid (linolenic acid, DHA, EPA and DPA) sharply in the fat of dark meat (thigh) which make this meat healthier to human. It is suggested that roasting can improve the quality of flax seeds and these seeds can be incorporated in the broiler diet if the producer is willing to sacrifice some performance. In turn he will get a premium price for his products.Item Study of Host-Parasite Relationship among Loranthaceae Flowering Shrubs Myrmecophytic Fruit Trees-Ants in Logbessou District, Cameroon.(2011-07) Mony, R; Dibong, S D; Ondoua, J M; Bilong, C F BilongThe objective of this study is host-parasite relationship among Loranthaceae flowering shrubs, Myrmecophytic fruit trees and ants. The study was conducted in 2009 in the garden plots and orchards of houses in the Logbessou district of Douala, Cameroon. We inventoried a total of 141 myrmecophytic fruit trees (diameter ≤ 45 cm) of which 95 (67.3%) were parasitized by flowering-shrub epiphytes (Loranthaceae). These trees belong to 14 species, 11 genera and 8 families. Among the eight species of ants inventoried on the trees, two were arboreal-dwelling and six were ground-dwelling, arboreal-foraging species. They belonged to two sub-families: the Formicinae, which were mostly represented by two genera, Camponotus and Paratrechina; and the Myrmicinae, which were more abundant (87.5%). The ants nested in the domatia of myrmecophyte hosts or hollow branches, trunks and dead suckers of Loranthaceae. Crematogaster was the most frequent genus and dominant ant on all of the parasitized host trees.Item Assessment of Biochemical Effect of “Power Horse” Energy Drink on Hepatic, Renal and Histological Functions in Sprague Dawley Rats.(2011-07) Akande, I S; Banjoko, O AObjective: Energy drinks are popular and widespread and raising concerns about implications on human health. Hepatological, histological and renal function tests of Sprague-Dawley albino rats were investigated in rat liver, brain and kidney by administering “power-horse” energy drink. Methodology: For this study twenty healthy adult female rats (142 – 148g) were divided into 4 groups with 5 rats in each group and they were treated as follows: Control group was given water only after acclimatization for 28 days when food and water were freely available to the four groups. Low dose group (administered energy drink of 10mg/kg body weight) and high dose group (administered energy drink of 20mg/kg body weight). Recovery groups received high dose of energy drink (20mg/kg body weight) for 14 days and allowed a recovery phase of 7 days thereafter when they received water and standard diet. Rats were sacrificed and blood samples collected through orbital sinus and cardiac puncture. Liver, brain and kidney tissues for all the groups were harvested. Liver and renal function parameters were analyzed while liver; brain and kidney were histologically examined. Results: Serum alanine amino transferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities increased significantly (p<0.05) in the experimental groups compared with the control (49.83±0.38 U/L, 582.33±9.06 U/L vs. 44.40±0.60 U/L, 331±4.90 U/L) while the activities of ALT and AST in the recovery group reduced, although not significantly (P>0.05) compared with the high dose group. Urea concentrations in the experimental groups increased (P<0.05) significantly compared with the control (10.10±0.15mmol/L vs.3.66±0.10 mmol/L). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the concentrations of creatinine in the experimental groups compared with the control group (44.20±00 mmol/L vs. 44.20±02 mmol/L). Serum Na and HCO3 2- in the experimental groups increased (P<0.05) significantly when compared with the control group (141.07± 0.56, 28.03±0.09 vs. 136.62± 0.72, 23.15±0.65).Item Study of Natural and Fishing Mortality and Exploitation Rate of Common Kilka Clupeonella cultriventris in Southeast Part of the Caspian Sea (Babolsar).(2011-07) Karimzadeh, GThe objective of this study was to estimate natural, fishing and total mortality, survival and exploitation rates of Clupeonella cultriventris in the southern Caspian Sea. Survival rate and natural mortality were calculated using catch curve and Pauly methods, respectively. Natural and fishing mortality have been estimated up to 0.671yr-1 and 0.849 yr-1, respectively. According to catch curve method, the annual survival rate of common kilka has been estimated up to 0.218 yr-1. With owning this survival rate, the instantaneous coefficient of total mortality of common kilka has been estimated up to 1.52 yr-1. The exploitation rate of common kilka has been estimated up to 0.55. It was revealed that common kilka has been dominant in the catch because of habitat expansion and the change in life depth. It was concluded that common kilka stock is under over-fishing now.Item Comparative Effects of Aqueous Garlic (Allium sativum) and Onion (Allium cepa) Extracts on Some Haematological and Lipid Indices of Rats.(2011-07) Emmanuel, Ugwu Chidiebere; James, OmaleThe relationship between some haematological and lipid indices were studied and compared in white albino rats using aqueous garlic (Allium sativum) and onion (Allium cepa) extracts. The effect of garlic and onion extracts were each tested with 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/kg body wt. concentrations for 28 days. Biochemical parameters were assayed using standard methods. The extracts significantly (P<0.05) lowered the serum total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL) but increased the high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) concentration when compared between the control and the test groups though there were no significant differences (P>0.05) when the effects of the extracts were compared at 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/kg body wt. equal treatments. The results show that there was no significant difference between the effects of the extracts on the haematological indices. The total cholesterol and triacylglycerols concentrations positively correlated to the haematological indices. The results collectively indicate that the extracts have hypolipidaemic effects which were not significant to each other. The results also show that though the extract lowered the TC and TG concentration, they indicated a direct relationship to the haematological indices.Item Image analysis in In Vivo Stem Cell Tracking.(2011-10) Rabbani, Hossein; Javanmard, Shaghayegh HaghjooyRegenerative medicine has begun to define a new perspective of future clinical practice. The lack of basic data regarding to basic stem cell biology-survival, migration, differentiation, integration in a real time manner when transplanted into damaged tissue remains a major challenge for design stem cell therapies. So, visualization of injected stem cells provides additional insight into the future therapeutic benefits. Although current imaging modalities including magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, single photon emission computed tomography, bioluminescence imaging, and fluorescence imaging offer some morphological as well as functional information, they lack the ability to assess and track in vivo biological phenomenon, a pivotal link for greater mechanistic understanding following cell-based intervention. This review will therefore discuss currently available in vivo imaging modalities and image processing techniques which may potentiate this field of research.Item Effect of the Addition of Okra Seed (Abelmoschus esculentus) Flour on the Antioxidant Properties of Plantain Musa paradisiaca Flour.(2011-10) Foluso, O Adetuyi; Komolafe, Eniayo AAim: This study aims at determining the antioxidant properties of plantain flour fortified with okra seed flour (full fat and defatted). Methodology: Plantain Musa paradisiaca and fibrous okra Abelmoschus esculentus that cannot be cut with kitchen knife were used for this work. The plantains were made into flours while the seeds were removed from the okra pod, sundried, milled and sieved. The Okra seed flour (full fat and defatted) was used to fortify the plantain flour separately in the following ratio 90:10, 80:20 and 70:30. The order of antioxidant activity was evaluated by measurement of total phenolic content, vitamin C content, ABTS scavenging ability and the ferric reducing antioxidant property (FRAP) of the fortified plantain flour. Results: The process of defatting caused a significant reduction in the total phenolic content (2.85%), vitamin C content (2.63%), ABTS scavenging ability (17.2%) and the reducing power (13.75%) of the okra seed flour. The antioxidant properties of the okra seed flour were significantly higher(P ≤ 0.05) than that of the plantain flour except the vitamin C where there was no significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) (plantain flour: 6.30mg/100g, defatted okra seed flour: 6.66 mg/100g and full fat okra seed flour: 6.84 mg/100g). The fortification of the plantain flour with the okra seed flour resulted in significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in the total phenolic content, ABTS scavenging ability and the ferric reducing power of the fortified plantain flour as the percentage of okra seed flour increased. Conclusion: The addition of okra seed flour to plantain flour should be encouraged because it increased the antioxidant properties of the resultant fortified plantain flour.Item Gross Morphometrical Studies on Pectoral Limb of Pariah Kite (Milvus migrans).(2011-10) Tiwari, Yogita; Pandey, A; Shrivastav, A B; Tomar, M P S; Vaish, RakhiThe fore limb or pectoral limb of Pariah kite (Milvus migrans) was studied for gross morphometry. It was procured from Department of Wildlife Health and Management, Veterinary College, Jabalpur, (M.P.), India. The pectoral limb of Pariah kite was comprised of following bones; Humerus, Radius and Ulna, Carpals, Carpometacapus and Digits. Humerus was longest and largest of all bones of fore limb. The proximal extremity was larger and more flattened craniocaudally than distal extremity. The radius was smaller and thinner than the ulna. Both the bones were separated by wide interosseus space proximally and narrow space distally. The outer surface of the shaft had a series of small bony projections which represented points of attachment for secondary feathers of wing.Item Plasma Lipoprotein Profile in Newly Hatched Chicks Following in Ovo Ghrelin Administration.(2011-10) Lotfi, Alireza; Shahryar, Habib Aghdam; Narimani-Rad, MohammadObjective: The aim of this study was to investigation on effects of in ovo administrated exogenous ghrelin on plasma lipid profile in hatched broiler chicks. Methodology: 250 eggs were obtained from commercial broiler breeder (Ross 308 strain) farm. the eggs were divided into five experimental groups; T1 or eggs without any injection (control), T2 or eggs in ovo injected with 50ng ghrelin at embryonic day-5, T3 or eggs in ovo injected with 100ng ghrelin at embryonic day-5, T4 or eggs in ovo injected with 50ng ghrelin at embryonic day-10, and T5 or eggs in ovo injected with 100ng ghrelin at embryonic day-10. Similar in ovo experiments were done for all of injected groups on day-5 or -10. At end of incubation, blood samples from each group were collected following chick decapitation and analyzed for determination of plasma lipoprotein concentrations. Results: Exogenous ghrelin administration at different embryonic days couldn’t have any considerable effect on low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL-C) or high density lipoprotein (HDL)/LDL-C. Plasma HDL-C concentration had increase follow in ovo injection of 100ng ghrelin at day-5 (P<0.01) and had slight increase at day-10 (group T3 and T5). Conclusion: As conclusion, in ovo administration of 100ng ghrelin at embryonic day-5 could elevate plasma HDL-C concentrations of newly-hatched chicks without any significant effect on LDL-C, VLDL or HDL-LDL ratio.Item Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine A Review.(2011-10) Ramakrishna, V; Janardhan, P B; Sudarsanareddy, LRegenerative medicine is a multidisciplinary field concerned with the replacement, repair or restoration of injured tissues. This field emerged from the need for reconstruction in children and adults in whom tissue has been damaged by diseases, trauma and congenital anomalies. Stem cell research is a promising field with an alluring potential for therapeutic intervention, and thus begs a critical understanding of the long-term consequences of stem cell replacement. Stem cells have unrestricted potential to divide and this strength is used for the regeneration and repair of cells within the body during tissue damage. Research on stem cells is advancing knowledge about how an organism develops from a single cell and how healthy cells replace damaged cells in adult organisms. This promising area of science is also leading scientists to investigate the possibility of cell-based therapies to treat disease. In our present review we tried to provide the information about stem cells and their significant role in regenerative medicine for treatment of various diseases.Item Survey of Olive Fungal Disease in North of Iran.(2012-01) Sanei, S J; Razavi, S ENew plantations of Olive tree in northern Iran are usually being severely affected by wilt or dieback and death. To determine the etiology of this problem, a study was carried out in samples of affected young trees collected in Golestan, Zanjan, Gilan and Khorasan provinces, the north of Iran during 2004-2009. Fungi that cause olive disease or associated with stem cuttings are listed. From this list Verticillium dahliae and Fusicladium oleagineum were the most common on a wide range area and on all cultivated cultivars. Several fungi were isolated from seedling rotted roots and some recorded associated with stem cuttings. Other fungal species associated with death of young olive trees in the field or in the nurseries, including Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum acutatum, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium solani, Macrophomina phaseolina, Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, Phytophthora megasperma, Phytophthora nicotiana, Pythium aphanidermatum, Rhizoctonia solani and some stem decay fungi such as species of Ascochyta, Alternaria, Cephalosporium, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Diplococcium, Diplodia, Nigrospora, Sphaeropsis, Stemphyllium and Ulocladium. As the fungal pathogen can affect olive production, these findings are potentially important to the future olive industry in northern Iran.Item Length-Weight and Length-Girth Relationships Relative Weight and Relative Condition Factor of Four Commercial Fish Species of Northern Persian Gulf.(2012-01) Daliri, M; Paighambari, S Y; Shabani, M J; Pouladi, M; Davoodi, RLength-weight and length-girth relationships (LWR and LGR), relative weight (Wr) and relative condition factor (Krel) of four commercial fish species (Lethrinus nebulosus, Carangoides talamparoides, Lutjanus argentimaculatus and Argyrops spinifer) from northern Persian Gulf (Bushehr coastal waters) were calculated. Samples were collected on monthly basis during December 2006 to June 2008 using pot nets. The LWR had a significant correlation for all species and the exponent b ranged from 2.6657 (L. nebulosus) to 2.8353 (L. argentimaculatus). All length-girth relationships also were highly significant and the exponent b ranged from 0.2776 (L. nebulosus) to 0.3591(A. spinifer). Relative weight ranged from 0.50±0.59 (C. talamparoides) to 1.02±1.35 (L. argentimaculatus). Relative condition factor also ranged from 1.01±0.17 (A. spinifer) to 1.05±0.5 (L. nebulosus). In conclusion, this study provides basic information for fishery biologists and managers in the Persian Gulf.Item A Review of Sheep Wool Quality Traits.(2012-01) Holman, B W B; Malau-Aduli, A E OThe commercial value of unprocessed wool is determined by its intrinsic quality; an indication of capacity to meet both processor and consumer demands. Wool quality is evaluated through routine assessment of characteristics that include mean fibre diameter, coefficient of variation, staple characteristics, comfort factor, spinning fineness, fibre curvature and clean fleece yield. The association between these characteristics with wool quality stems from their correlation with raw wool processing performance in terms of speed, durability, ultimate use as apparel or carpet wool, and consumer satisfaction with the end-product. An evaluation of these characteristics allows wool quality to be objectively quantified prior to purchase and processing. The primary objective of this review was to define and explore these aforementioned key wool characteristics, focusing on their impact on quality, desirable parameters and methodology behind their quantification. An in-depth review of relevant published literature on these wool characteristics in sheep is presented.Item Abundance of Cutlassfish Trichiurus lepturus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Bushehr Waters, Persian Gulf.(2012-04) Raeisi, H; Hosseini, S A; Paighambari, S Y; Davoodi, RThe abundance of cutlassfish was studied in the fishing grounds of Bushehr waters between May to August 2010. Stratified random sampling scheme from 40 trawl stations was used. Catch rates (catch per unit area, CPUA) and total biomass of all the samples were estimated. Mean CPUA and the total biomass of Trichiurus lepturus were estimated as 6104.6 ± 956.4 kgnm-2 and 3765.9 tonnes respectively. There was a significant difference between the mean CPUA of different depths and seasons. This study has provided the first study of biomass and CPUA in Bushehr Waters. The data collected in this study can be used as the basis for a long-term stock monitoring program in the region.Item Organoleptic Assessment and Proximate Analysis of Stored Tilapia guineensis.(2012-04) Obemeata, Oriakpono; Christopher, NdomeThe organoleptic and proximate analysis of Tilapia guineensis were assessed at two stored temperatures, -18ºC and 4ºC for 4 weeks. Graded results revealed a general decline in organoleptic properties such as colour, texture, freshness, and taste of the fishes stored at the two temperatures. Proximate analysis revealed a reduction in crude protein and lipid contents and increases in ash and fibre content of the fish at the two storage temperatures. Moisture content decreased in the samples stored at -18ºC but increased in the 4ºC stored samples. pH of fish was found to increase in the two stored temperatures. It was within the acidic range in the -18ºC stored sample but the alkaline range in the 4ºC stored samples. There were significant differences ‘‘P<0.05’’ in the organoleptic and proximate composition of the ice stored Tilapia guineensis within the same temperature and between the two temperatures. The quality of the 4ºC stored sample deteriorated faster than that of the - 18ºC. Thus storage temperature and duration have effects on the nutritional quality of stored fish.Item An Assessment of Pregnancy Induced Physiological Changes in West African Dwarf (WAD) Does at Different Stages of Gestation.(2012-04) Imasuen, J A; Aloamaka, C PTwenty pregnant WAD goat does were used to assess the effect of pregnancy induced physiological changes at different stages of pregnancy. Pulse Rate values ranges from 80.78±1.63 to 92.35± 1.47(BPM), showing significant (p<0.05) increases as gestation periods (months) increases. Significant differences (p<0.05) were also observed in respiratory rate during course of gestation and the values of 16.73± 0.43 to 18.95±0.59 were obtained. When rectal temperature was measured during pregnancy, the result shows that pregnancy caused significant (P<0.05) increased in rectal temperature and the value increased with the course of gestation too, with values ranging from 39.33±0.25 to 41.22±.0.53. Thus, it was concluded that pregnancy induces physiological changes in does, especially as the course of gestation increases in months.