Application of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to the analysis of sulfate reducing bacterial community in an oily bench scale reactor

Advances in the field of genomics and meta-genomics have led to rapid and accurate strategies for the monitoring of microbial biodiversity and have revealed its potential for biotechnological applications. In this study, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) as a culture-independent molecular approach using specific CY3-labelled oligonucleotide probes was used to study the dynamics of the sulfate reduction bacterial community (SRB) of the activated sludge from an oily wastewater treatment system. The relative abundance of members of the dominant bacteria in the oily water reactor was determined by FISH for 16S rRNA using EUB338 probes, for detecting general eubacteria, and SRB385 for targeting SRBs and major species of delta-proteobacteria sulfate reducers. The percentage of cells hybridizing with probe EUB338 for the dominant bacteria decreased from 25.85 to 6.25%, while with the SRB385 probe for SRB bacteria, it increased from 7.21 to 10.20% of total cells during the reactor process. These data show that SRB bacteria dominated the active microbial community in the system. It is interesting that delta-proteobacterial SRBs occupied a high percentage and took place in an oily biological system under aerobic conditions.Keywords: Sulfate reducing bacteria, fluorescence in situ hybridization, 16S rRNA oligonucleotide probes, microbial community, dynamic

Analysis of Conduct and Performance of Dried Fish Market in Maiduguri Metropolis of Borno State, Nigeria

The study analyzed conduct and performance of dried fish markets in Maiduguri Metropolis of Borno State, Nigeria. Data were obtained using structured questionnaire. Three (3) major dried fish markets were purposely selected out of the seven (7) markets in the study area to reflect areas where dried fish is predominantly sold. A total of 100 respondents from the three (3) markets were randomly selected for the study. Descriptive statistics and budgetary techniques were used as analytical tools. The finding of the study reveals that (44.82%) and (33.33%) were obtained as market margin from sales of Grade C and Grade A dried fish respectively. The result of marketing cost and returns also reveals that capital invested constitutes (96.08%) of the total fixed cost, while transportation accounts for (30.55%) of the total variable cost. The result of market return (net returns) reveals that N25, 013,440.04 was obtained as net returns per week. The finding on marketing efficiency reveals (67.33%) was obtained per cartoons of dried fish sold. The result further indicates the efficiency ratio of 95.54 which is positive. The result of the market conduct reveals that about (40%) of the marketers get information on market situation through personal contact, (72%) price haggling, while (56%) said prices were set by both the sellers and the agents. It was recommended that local fish marketers should be organized into cooperative groups and government should adequately provide infrastructural facilities such as good roads and market facilities to dried fish marketers in the study area. Key words: Market Conduct, Market Performance, Dried Fish Market, Borno State,  Nigeri

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of SUP12 Steel Coil Spring

Coil springs made of spring steel often have high yield strength which enables them to return to their original form after a significant force is applied. Specific application of steel springin automotive is ruled by industrial guideline, for example, Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS), Daewoo Engineering Standard (EDS) and Daihatsu Technical Standards (DTS). This study attempt to investigate the characteristics of a coil spring type used in automotive i.e. SUP12 where the analysis approach was done systematically using experimental and numerical methods. The experimental part was intended to verify the SUP12 springs material properties (spring constant, yield strength and tensile strength) are within standard for spring steels, JIS G 4801(1984). The SUP12 spring underwent tensile testing in accordance to JIS Z 2201(2010). Later, finite element simulation was performed using HYPERWORKS (Ver. 11) software to predict the steel spring under displacement conditions as per specific customer requirement i.e. at full rebound, curb length and full bump. The resulting experimental data indicates that the tested SUP12 passed the minimum requirement as per standard. On the other hand, finite element results show that the spring meets the customer requirement within small deviation. This suggested that the systematic verification by experiment and numerical analysis approach on such spring is practical by spring maker

Genotype diet interaction in Fayoumi and Rhode Island Red layers and their crosses

Fayoumi and Rhode Island Red (R.I.R.) layers and their two reciprocal crosses were distributed into 2 groups which received different diets in the laying period. The diets had the same calculated energy level and their total protein content differed by less than 1 p. 100, but one of them contained 40 p. 100 barley and the other contained none. With the barley-containing diet, feed consumption, egg mass, egg number and mean egg weight per hen were reduced, but the effects were more marked in the R.LR. line and one of the reciprocal crosses, with a significant genotype x diet interaction for egg mass, average clutch length, total feed intake and its residual component.Des poules Fayoumi et Rhode Island (R.LR.) et leurs 2 croisements réciproques ont été répartis en 2 groupes recevant un régime alimentaire différent en période de ponte. Les 2 régimes avaient la même teneur énergétique et un taux protéique différant de moins de 1 p. 100 mais l’un contenait 40 p. 100 d’orge, l’autre n’en contenait pas. En présence de la ration à base d’orge, la consommation alimentaire et la masse d’oeufs produite par poule, ainsi que le nombre et le poids moyen des oeufs, étaient abaissés, mais les effets étaient plus marqués dans la lignée R.LR. et dans l’un des croisements réciproques, avec une interaction régime x type génétique significative pour la masse d’oeufs, la longueur moyenne des séries de ponte, la consommation alimentaire totale et sa composante « résiduelle »

ROLE OF POLLINATORS ON EGYPTIAN CLOVER POLLINATION WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HONEYBEE AT SOHAG GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

Data revealed that Egyptian clover were visited by 22 genus of arthropods belong to 16 families and 7 orders. The identified species were classified to phytophagous, Nectarivore, predatory insects. During both seasons Apis mellifera L. and Megachile sp. were the most abundant pollinators detected at the first week of May till the end of flowering season in mid-June. The highest activity period for A. mellifera was detected at 11:00 am. However, the lowest activity was found at 3:00 pm. and 5:00 pm. in both seasons, respectively, with insignificant difference between them in the first season. Whereas the highest activity period for Megachile sp. was detected at 1:00 pm. and the lowest activity was found at 7:00 am. During both seasons. The free pollination treatment produced the highest mean number of seeds per head followed by the caged with honeybees followed by the caged without honeybees treatment with average (48.15, 43.85 and 13.20 seeds /head) and (51.10, 46.10 and 10.85 seeds /head) during 2017 and 2018 seasons, respectively. The caged plants without honeybees produced the low weight of 1000 seed. Whereas the non-caged treatment produced the highest weights with an average (2.75 and 2.55 g) and (3.50 and 3.90 g) during both seasons, respectively

Bacteriological and Molecular Studies on the Enterococcus Species Isolated From Diseased Fish and Its Effect on Fish Farm Profits

The study was carried out on 120 fish samples O. nitoticus collected from Kafir El-Sheikh Governorate (60 diseased and 60 apparently healthy fish). The clinical picture of naturally infected O. niloticus showed haemorrhagic spots on the operculum, base of fins and mouth edges, skin darkening, uni-or bJJateraJ exophthalmia and skeletal deformity in some cases abdominal distension was observed. Postmortum lesions in O. niloticus revealed congested and enlarged liver or pale with grayish nodules in some cases. Spleen and kidneys were enlarged and congested and abdominal cavity contained serous fluid in some cases. Bacteriological examination revealed the isolation of (26) streptococcus isolates with an incidence of (43.3%) from diseased O. niloticus, and isolation of (17) isolates with an incidence of (28.3%) from the 60 apparently healthy . These isolates were biochemically tested. SDS-P AGE analysis of whole cell protein of selected serotyped strains revealed the presence of 7-13 protein bands and the most common characteristic bands were 36.67 KDa, 27.37 KDa and 44.0 KDa. Kb. DNA profile analysis of the 3 streptococcus species showed common band at 321 Serological examination of 37 selected isolates result in differentiation into 17 Enterococcus faecalis, 12 Streptococcus iniae, 5 Streptococcus pneumoniae and 3 untypeable strains. Experimental infection of 8 groups of O. niloticus (each of 10 fish) with bacterial suspension of 8 isolates (2 Enterococcus faecalis, 5 Streptococcus iniae and 1 Streptococcus pneumoniae result in mortality rate of 20%, 10% and 0%, respectively. While, inoculation of the bacterial filtrate of the same isolates result in mortality rate of 30%, 22% and 10%. Our results cleared that the enterococci causes a great economic losses to fish farm production and it differ according to the type of bacteria that infected the fish. In bacterial suspension infection the weight losses for each 100/fish were 450 gm, 262.5 gm and zero losses zero losses for S. fecalis, S. iniae and S. pnumoniae and the return losses reached to 4.5 LE, 2.62 LE and zero losses for S. fecalis, S. iniae and S. pnumoniae. While, in bacterial filtrate the weight losses for each 100/fish were 675 gm, 1237.5 and 112.5 gm for S. fecalis, S. iniae and S. pnumoniae and the return losses reached to 6.75 LE, 12.37 LE and 11.25 losses for S. fecalis, S. iniae and S. pnumoniae. From these results we concluded that: Fish farms should avoid use of polluted water. Fish handlers with cut wounds should avoid fish handling without gloves as Streptococcus soft tissue causing sepsis, infection endocardities, urinary tract infections, labor pneumonia and meningitis. Human should keep water sources away from sewage pollution

Variations in genetic and chemical constituents of Ziziphus spina-christi L. populations grown at various altitudinal zonation up to 2227m height

AbstractAltitudinal gradient-defined specific environmental conditions could lead to genetics and chemical variations among individuals of the same species. By using RAPD, ISSR, GC–MS and HPLC analysis, the genetic and chemical diversity of Ziziphus spina-christi plants at various altitudinal gradient namely; Abha (2227.86m), Dala Valley (1424m), Rakhma Valley (1000m), Raheb Valley (505m) and Al-Marbh (147m) were estimated. RAPD markers revealed that the highest similarity value (40.22%) was between Raheb Valley and Al-Marbh while the lowest similarity (10.08%) was between Abha and Raheb Valley. Based on ISSR markers the highest similarity value (61.54%) was also between Raheb Valley and Al-Marbh, while the lowest similarity (26.84%) was between Abha and Rakhma Valley. GC–MS results showed the presence of various phytochemical constituents in each population. The dendrogram based on chemical compounds separated the Z. spina-christi grown at the highest elevations (Abha) from the populations in lower elevations. HPLC analysis showed that the leaves of Z. spina-christi plant contain considerable amount of vitamins including B1, B12, B2 and folic acid. In conclusion, there is a close relation between altitudinal gradients, genetic diversity and chemical constituents of the leaves of Z. spina-christi plants

Isolation of Thermoalkalophilic-?-amylase Producing Bacteria and Optimization of Potato Waste Water Medium for Enhancement of ?-amylase Production

Sixty one thermoalkalophilic bacteria were isolated from soil samples in Saudi Arabia’s southern region. Isolate TA-38, obtained from the Tanomah region, showed the best performance for enzyme production and was submitted for further study. It was identified as Bacillus axarquiensis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies. The feasibility of using potato waste water as a simple and cheap medium for the production of ?-amylase was evaluated compared with starch broth medium. The production of ?-amylase in the potato waste water medium was only 13.8% less than that of the starch medium. Maximum enzyme production was achieved after 48 hours of cultivation at the beginning of the stationary phase at pH 10.0 and 50 0C. The appropriate addition of starch; nitrogen; phosphate; and calcium to potato waste water significantly enhanced the production of ?-amylase. The enzyme production reached a maximum of 64.5 Uml-1 with the potato wastewater adding with 0.5 % starch; 0.4 % yeast extract; 0.04% CaCl2-2H2O and 0.05 % KH2PO4.  The optimization of the potato waste water medium led to an approximately 4.02 fold increase in the production of ?-amylase compared to starch broth medium. Data indicated that the potato waste water contained substrates which could be used by bacterial isolate for the production of ?-amylase production and the developed procedure was cost effective since it requires only a slightly addition of nutrients to the medium. Keywords: Isolation; ?-amylase; 16S rRNA; Production; Potato waste water; Thermoalkaliphilic bacteria

Modulatory role of chelating agents in diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in rats

AbstractIntroductionHypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. Chelating agents may play a modulatory role in atherosclerosis by removal of calcium from atherosclerotic plaques.AimThe present study aimed to explore the effects of calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (CaNa2EDTA) and meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) on diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in rats using simvastatin as a reference standard.MethodsHypercholesterolemia was induced by feeding rats with cholesterol-rich diet for six weeks. Rats were divided into five groups (n=8): normal control, hypercholesterolemic control, simvastatin (20mg/kg; p.o.), CaNa2EDTA (100mg/kg; i.p.) and DMSA (100mg/kg; i.p.). Treatments continued daily for the six weeks of diet feeding.ResultsDiet-induced hypercholesterolemia resulted in alterations in the lipid profile markers and a state of oxidative stress coupled by compensatory increase in serum nitric oxide (NO) level and decreased aortic endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity parallel to increased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity, aortic calcium content and aortic wall thickness. Treatment with simvastatin, CaNa2EDTA and DMSA improved lipid profile and oxidative stress markers. In addition, they attenuated hypercholesterolemia-induced changes in serum NO level, aortic eNOS and iNOS activities, calcium content and aortic wall thickness.ConclusionPretreatment of hypercholesterolemic rats with simvastatin, CaNa2EDTA or DMSA attenuated most of the changes induced by feeding rats with cholesterol-rich diet owing to their observed anti-hyperlipidemic and antioxidant properties

A Multitier Deep Learning Model for Arrhythmia Detection

Electrocardiograph (ECG) is employed as a primary tool for diagnosing cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in the hospital, which often helps in the early detection of such ailments. ECG signals provide a framework to probe the underlying properties and enhance the initial diagnosis obtained via traditional tools and patient-doctor dialogues. It provides cardiologists with inferences regarding more serious cases. Notwithstanding its proven utility, deciphering large datasets to determine appropriate information remains a challenge in ECG-based CVD diagnosis and treatment. Our study presents a deep neural network (DNN) strategy to ameliorate the aforementioned difficulties. Our strategy consists of a learning stage where classification accuracy is improved via a robust feature extraction. This is followed using a genetic algorithm (GA) process to aggregate the best combination of feature extraction and classification. The MIT-BIH Arrhythmia was employed in the validation to identify five arrhythmia categories based on the association for the advancement of medical instrumentation (AAMI) standard. The performance of the proposed technique alongside state-of-the-art in the area shows an increase of 0.94 and 0.953 in terms of average accuracy and F1 score, respectively. The proposed model could serve as an analytic module to alert users and/or medical experts when anomalies are detected in the acquired ECG data in a smart healthcare framework