Schizophrenia-The spirit possessed 23 year old male from rural Kpando Dzoanti, Volta region in Ghana: Case report

A case of a twenty-three year old rural Ghanaian male suffering from schizophrenia and presenting as “possessed by spirits” is reported. Treatment, and outcome by physical means with chlorpromazine; and implications for further research are discussed

INDIAN HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM: ASCENDANCY OF HEGEMONIC CULTURE AND INTERNATIONAL MULTICULTURALISM

Through this study researcher wants to find relationship between two dependent variables, i.e., hegemonic culture and international multiculturalism with that of independent variable, i.e. Indian higher education system. Since it becomes very important to know what effect multiculturalism and hegemonic culture have on our higher education system so that we can have more culturally responsive classroom practices in place. For this research, data was collected from university level teachers working at various positions like Professors, Associate professors, and Assistant professors. Full-time college faculty members made up the bulk of the data collecting samples. The information was gathered using a survey. All dependent variables i.e., hegemonic culture (0.010), international multiculturalism (0.02) have significant positive impact on the independent variable i.e., Indian Higher Education system, it was also observed that hegemonic culture (0.010) have the least impact on Indian higher education system. We see CRT in educational environments as all about leveraging diverse ethnic groups’ culture and experiences to educate more effectively. A culturally responsive classroom must allow children to keep maintaining both their academic success and their cultural identity. This research contributes towards a theoretical framework which is based on CFA Modelling of construct variables. In this we try to find out relationship between dependent variables like hegemonic culture, what is the role of an experienced teacher in facilitating culturally diverse classrooms and international multiculturalism on independent variable i.e., Indian higher education system

Integrating Remote Sensing, GIS, Census, and Socioeconomic Data in Studying the Population–Land Use/Cover Nexus in Ghana: A Literature Update

Land is a very important asset and a means to sustain livelihood. In the face of a rapidly growing global population, increase in technological capacity, and affluence, the earth’s land cover has been transformed, especially in developing countries. At the same time, social organisation, attitudes, and values have also undergone profound changes. In contemporary times, issues of sustainabledevelopment, pollution prevention, global environmental change and related issues of human-environment interaction have been a major concern globally. This concern has largely been sparked by the phenomenon of global warming and its consequences, which are threatening the very existence of humans on the surface of the earth. Remotely sensed data (mainly from aerial photographs and satellite images) in combination with Geographical Information Systems(GIS) have been observed to have potential scientific value for the study of population-environment interaction. This paper provides an account of how Remote Sensing, GIS, census (mainly population and agricultural) and socioeconomic (household, district and regional) survey data have been integrated in studying the population land-use/cover nexus in Ghana. It also identifies the major methodological challenges, and solutions

Temporal variation of Particulate Matter (PM) and potential sources at an urban site of Udaipur in Western India

Measurements of mass concentrations of particulate matters (PM2.5 and PM10) and mixing ratio of carbon monoxide (CO) were made at an urban site of Udaipur (24.58°N, 73.68°E) in India from April 2010 to March 2011. Concentrations of PM2.5, PM10 and CO show strong diurnal and seasonal variations. The highest concentrations coincide with the rush traffic and lower nocturnal boundary layer depth. The lowest concentrations in the afternoon hours are attributed to the dilution caused by higher boundary layer height and reduced traffic. The levels of trace constituents during the weekend were significantly reduced compared to the weekdays of observations

A review on diagnostic techniques for brucellosis

Brucellosis presents with many clinical manifestation that make its diagnosis a difficult task. Ever since the report of the first serologic test for brucellosis, a definitive diagnostic technique has been actively pursued. The most widely used methods of diagnosis are based on serology, which measures the ability of the serum (antibody) to agglutinate a standardised amount of killed Brucella abortus (antigen) containing O-side chain. These tests are most commonly used because they are safe. However, they are prone to false-positive results due to other cross-reacting bacteria, and also, they are not useful in the detection of Brucella canis and Brucella ovis which lack the O-side chain. Other useful tests include the direct smear examination which is a presumptive method that involves making smears from vaginal swabs, placentas or aborted foetuses, stained with the stamp modification of the Ziehl-Neelsen method. Morphologically related micro-organisms such as Chlamydia psittasi, Chlamydophila abortus or Coxiella burnetti can mislead the diagnosis, therefore, confirmation on appropriate culture and selective media is recommended. Culture and isolation of the organism from blood or tissue samples has remained the only “unequivocal” method but lacks sensitivity, and its outcome depends on individual laboratory practices, and how actively the obtaining of cultures is pursued. Laboratory animal inoculation has also been a useful tool, but is also subject to interference with gastric acids. More recently, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been found to be a useful and more sensitive test, but has not been validated for standard laboratory use. This paper highlights useful samples and, especially the different conventional to more sophisticated molecular techniques for the diagnosis of brucellosis.Keywords: Brucellosis, diagnosis, techniquesAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 13(1), pp. 1-10, 1 January, 201

Molecular characterization of an aster yellows phytoplasma associated with proliferation of periwinkle in Malaysia

Madagascar periwinkle is a common decorative, easy growing and spreading perennial herb. Phyllody, virescence, proliferation, little leaf and yellowing symptoms were observed on periwinkle in Serdang and Banting, Selangor, Malaysia. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays using P1/P7 universal phytoplasma primers and secA primers designed for identification and classification of phytoplasma, amplified 1.8 kb fragment that encompasses the entire 16S rRNA gene, the 16S - 23S intergenic spacerregion and the beginning of the 23S rRNA gene as well as the 840 bp from part of secA gene, respectively. Sequence analysis of the 16S rDNA, 16S - 23S intergenic region and the beginning of the 23S rRNA and secA gene PCR products determined that the phytoplasma strain associated withperiwinkle proliferation in Malaysia belongs to the ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteries’ (16Sr I-B) group of phytoplasmas. The virtual restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis with 10restriction endonulease enzymes revealed identical patterns to phytoplasmas members of Aster yellows phytoplasma subgroup B. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rDNA sequences, secA gene sequences and virtual RFLP revealed that the periwinkle proliferation phytoplasma is closely related to the subgroup 16SrI-B. Periwinkle proliferation also confirmed which 16SrI-B has wide geographical distribution and host range

Screening for the optimal induction parameters for periplasmic producing interferon-&#945 2b in Escherichia coli

Screening for optimum induction parameters to improve the production of periplasmic interferon-α2b (PrIFN-α2b) by recombinant Escherichia coli was conducted using shake flask culture. Recombinant E. coli Rosetta-gami 2(DE3) harboring the plasmid pET26b containing IFN-α2b gene under the control of the T7lac promoter was used, where the induction was accomplished by isopropyl β-D-1- thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). The induction parameters (inducer concentration, point of induction, induction temperature and the length of induction) were analyzed to find the suitable range to be used for further optimization process. From the analysis, narrow range of induction temperature from 16 to 30°C and IPTG lower than 2 mM were found suitable for induction of PrIFN-α2b. On the other hand, early log phase was the preferred time to initiate the induction and the length of induction was dependent on the combination of other induction parameters used.Key words: Interferon-2b (IFN-2b), induction parameter, Escherichia coli, periplasm, shake flask culture

Recent developments and perspectives in CdS-based photocatalysts for water splitting

Over the past few years, many approaches have been developed progressively to produce hydrogen (H2) from water under solar light irradiation. This process of fuel production is clean, potentially cost-effective, and environment-friendly. At present, however, current technologies are unable to meet the industrial requirements because of high cost, low photoresponse, and insufficient catalytic performance. Among water splitting photocatalysts, CdS is considered to be an interesting and important material owing to its low cost, prominent catalytic activity, high absorption in the visible spectrum, and the suitable positions of its conduction (CB) and valence (VB) bands. There are, however, some associated problems such as the rapid recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs and photocorrosion that have severely hampered its practical usage. The efficient conversion of water to H2 depends on the extent to which the charge carriers, especially the electrons, are first generated and then have sufficient life-time for their effective utilization. This review highlights work over the past several years to improve the photocatalytic efficiency and stability of CdS for H2 production from water

Prognostic value of FOXP3 and TGF-b expression in both peripheral blood and lymph nodes in patients with B-Non Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Foxp3 has been studied as a biomarker of Treg cells in many solid malignant diseases, although its role as an immunomodulator in B-NHL remain poorly understood and the effect of traditional chemotherapy on its expression remains unclear. In this study the role of circulating and intra-tumoral Treg and TGF-b in patients with B-NHL before and after chemotherapy was evaluated. Enumeration of Treg cells was carried out by flow cytometric staining of their cell surface markers CD4 and CD25 as well as by molecular analysis of its signature transcription factor FoxP3. Expression of FoxP3 was done using quantitative real-time PCR while TGF-b mRNA expression was semi-quantitatively assayed by the conventional reverse transcription-PCR. In addition, spontaneous versus mitogen-induced release of TGF-b by PBMCs was assessed by a short term cell culture followed by ELISA. This was done before and after six cycles of CHOP chemotherapy. The results were evaluated in relation to the clinicopathological data.A significant increase in mRNA transcripts of both Fox P3 and TGF-b as well as the percentage of CD4+/CD25+ in B-NHL patients before receiving the chemotherapy were recorded, when compared either to healthy controls or to patients after completion the treatment regimen. Interestingly 6 cycles of CHOP treatment caused significant reduction in all parameters under study, relative to the situation before treatment. A significant enhancement in spontaneous TGF-b release in B-NHL patient either before or after chemotherapy was obtained. These results strongly confirm the possible involvement of Treg cells and TGF-b in orienting the clinical course of the disease as well as the ability of targeting them in immunotherapeutic approaches. KEYWORDS FOXP3; TGF; Non Hodgkin’s lymphoma; NH

Effect of promoter strength and signal sequence on the periplasmic expression of human interferon- &#9452b in Escherichia coli

Two plasmids, pFLAG-ATS and pET 26b(+), were studied for the periplasmic expression of recombinant human interferon-2b (IFN-2b) in Escherichia coli. The pFLAG-ATS contains ompA signal sequence and tac promoter while pET 26b(+) contains pelB signal sequence and T7lac promoter. It was observedthat periplasmic expression of IFN-2b from pET 26b(+) was around 3000 times higher than pFLAGATS. Difference in the expression level was attributed to the difference in the promoters and the signal sequences. In silico analysis of mRNA secondary structures were analyzed using Vienna RNA packageand MFOLD. The results suggested that the increase of expression would mainly due to the difference in the translation initiation associated with secondary structure of mRNA transcribed by both plasmids