In vitro Inhibitory Studies and Effect of Selected Plant Extracts and Cations on Elastase (EC 3.4.21.11) Activity produced by Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus

Elastase is a member of the serine protease enzyme family that hydrolytically degrades elastin, a connective tissue component leading to aging and wrinkling of the skin. In this report, we investigated the in-vitro inhibitory effects of some cations and n-hexane extract of Hibiscus cannabinus, Vernonia amygdalina, Murraya koenigii, and Telfairia occidentalis on the activity of Elastase isolated from Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. Elastase was extracted, isolated and partially purified from Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. The data obtained in this study demonstrated that the activity of elastase in Aspergillus flavus was higher compared to that of Aspergillus niger after salting out. The elastase inhibition activities of Hibiscus cannabinus, Vernonia amygdalina, Murraya koenigii, and Telfairia occidentalis reveal that the leaf extract from Murraya koenigii, in Aspergillus flavus had more significant inhibition was obtained compared to that of Aspergillus niger, with inhibitory effect from 40µg/ml. While that of Hibiscus cannabinus showed similar inhibition characteristics to Murraya koenigii. Both Hibiscus cannabinus and Vernonia amygdalina had an effect at 80µg/ml; all the extracts appeared to have more effects on the enzyme obtained from Aspergillus flavus than from the Aspergillus niger. The potential of exploring these plant extract as an anti-aging recipe was discussed. Keywords: Inhibitory studies, Elastase, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Hibiscus cannabinus, Vernonia amygdalina, Murraya koenigii, and Telfairia occidentali

Collections and Collection Development Exercise in Libraries: A Perspective in View

This paper examines what collection is all about and the concept collection development exercise in libraries stating the methods used in actualizing the collection development which are community need assessment, selection, and placing order, receiving/checking. This study also outlines some procedures for acquiring information resources in the collection development department which are: purchase, exchange, legal deposit, gift/donation, subscription, photocopies, inter-library loan and weeding. It also states some problems associated with the collection development department as: relegation of the library to the background; poor numeration of the library staff; glory driven consciousness of the library staff; lack of required information resources and lack of financial resources. This paper pointed out some relevant impact that collection development department can accrue to any of the libraries practicing it. The study thus concluded by proffering some recommendations that will help to make the library and the collection development department vibrant

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF 802.11b AND 802.11g NETWORK

Recent advances in wireless technology has led to the introduction of new devices utilizing the 2.4GHz industrial scientific and medical (ISM) unlicensed band traditionally used by Wireless LANS (WLAN). The increasing demand of higher data rate in WLANs has prompted the continual emergence of different 802.11 protocols with increased performance. Interoperability and coexistence between these networks become key issues and must be catered for, to guarantee satisfactory performance of both networks. 802.11 refer to a family of specifications developed by the International Institute of Electrical Electronics Engineering (IEEE) for wireless LAN technology. IEEE accepted the specification for 802.11 in 1997. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) has become popular in the home due to ease of installation, and the increasing popularity of laptop computers. WLAN is based on IEEE 802.11 standard and is also known as Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) [1]. In this paper, the comparative analysis of IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g networks are x-rayed. KEYWORDS: 802.11b, 802.11g, WLAN, IEEE, OFDM, LRWPANS, Wireless Fidelity, Wireless Medium Access Control, Physical Layer

Early phases of different types of isolated neutron star

Two Galactic isolated strong X-ray pulsars seem to be in the densest environments compared to other types of Galactic pulsar. X-ray pulsar J1846-0258 can be in an early phase of anomalous X-ray pulsars and soft gamma repeaters if its average braking index is ~1.8-2.0. X-ray pulsar J1811-1925 must have a very large average braking index (n~11) if this pulsar was formed by SN 386AD. This X-ray pulsar can be in an early phase of evolution of the radio pulsars located in the region P~50-150 ms and \.{P}~10$^{-14}-10^{-16}$ s/s of the P-\.{P} diagram. X-ray/radio pulsar J0540-69 seems to be evolving in the direction to the dim isolated thermal neutron star region on the P-\.{P} diagram. Possible progenitors of different types of neutron star are also discussed.Comment: to appear in the International Journal of Modern Physics

Alpha-induced cross sections of 106Cd for the astrophysical p-process

The 106Cd(alpha,gamma)110Sn reaction cross section has been measured in the energy range of the Gamow window for the astrophysical p-process scenario. The cross sections for 106Cd(alpha,n)109Sn and for 106Cd(alpha,p)109In below the (alpha,n) threshold have also been determined. The results are compared with predictions of the statistical model code NON-SMOKER using different input parameters. The comparison shows that a discrepancy for 106Cd(alpha,gamma)110Sn when using the standard optical potentials can be removed with a different alpha+106Cd potential. Some astrophysical implications are discussed.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev

Measurement of the t(t)over-bar production cross section in the dilepton channel in pp collisions at √s=8 TeV

The top-antitop quark (t (t) over bar) production cross section is measured in proton-proton collisions at root s = 8 TeV with the CMS experiment at the LHC, using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.3 fb(-1). The measurement is performed by analysing events with a pair of electrons or muons, or one electron and one muon, and at least two jets, one of which is identified as originating from hadronisation of a bottom quark. The measured cross section is 239 +/- 2 (stat.) +/- 11 (syst.) +/- 6 (lum.) pb, for an assumed top-quark mass of 172.5 GeV, in agreement with the prediction of the standard model

High discontinuation rate of azathioprine in autoimmune hepatitis, independent of time of treatment initiation

Contains fulltext : 225262.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: Guidelines regarding treatment for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) favour two strategies for azathioprine (AZA) introduction: concurrent with steroids at induction or delayed by 2-4 weeks. The safety and efficacy of both strategies have been unexplored. METHODS: We established a cohort of 900 AIH patients from 12 centres in 7 European countries. There were 631 patients who used AZA as part of the therapeutic regimen. We distinguished two groups: patients with early AZA (<2 weeks) or delayed AZA initiation (≥2 weeks). Primary outcome was discontinuation of AZA in the first year of treatment. Cox regression and propensity score matching was performed to determine difference in outcomes between groups. RESULTS: Patients with early AZA initiation had significantly lower transaminases and bilirubin at baseline. Discontinuation rates of AZA did not differ between early and delayed starters (16.6% vs 14.2%), which did not reach statistical significance (hazard ratio 0.97, 95% confidence interval 0.61-1.55, P = .90). Stratification according to baseline disease activity or propensity score matching did not alter the results. Main reason for AZA discontinuation was intolerance to treatment (14.0% vs 13.2%, P = .78) with nausea and vomiting as main side effects. AIH remission rates were comparable among groups. CONCLUSION: The discontinuation rate of AZA in AIH treatment is ~15% in the first year of treatment. Early or delayed AZA initiation does not differ in remission and discontinuation rates in AIH induction therapy. Our data suggest that either strategy may be used as part of AIH treatment

Co-movements of REIT indices with structural changes before and during the subprime mortgage crisis: evidence from Euro-Med markets

This paper examines the long-run relationships between the REIT indices of the UK, Turkey and Israel in the Euro-Med zone with that of MSCI US REIT Index by using weekly data over the period 2003Q3 through 2009Q3, which includes the latest US subprime mortgage crisis and its effects on global stock markets. Although our EG test results do not indicate a long-run relationship, after taking account of the structural changes by applying the GH test, we find a long-run interaction between the REIT indices of UK and Israel with that of the US. However, our results indicate the lack of co-movement between REIT index of Turkey with the US. In addition, our dynamic OLS test results indicate a perfect relationship between the UK and the US indices. Our findings show that international investors who make long-term investments can only gain from diversifying into the real estate market of Turkey among the involved markets in the Euro-Med zone