International Journal of Histology and Cytology

International Journal of Histology and Cytology ISSN 2447-9535 Vol. 5 (2), pp. 381-383, February, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Effect of annealing on the resistivity of copper (I) oxide solar cells

M. Y Onimisi

Department of Physics, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel. 08054538199.

Accepted 23 March, 2017

Abstract

The effect of annealing on the resistivity of copper (I) oxides (Cu₂O) samples has been investigated in detail. The resistivity of the sample is a function of the power output of such Cu ₂O solar cell. Results revealed that the annealing of Cu₂O samples improves the output performance compared to that of unannealed samples by about 36%. The results on the resistivity of the samples oxidized at different temperatures for different times but annealed for some duration at an identical temperature after proper quenching in deionizer water shows a lower and higher resistivities for annealed and unannealed samples respectively.

Key words: Annealed, unannealed, resistivity, quenching, Cu₂O Solar Cell.

International Journal of Histology and Cytology ISSN 2447-9535 Vol. 5 (3), pp. 396-402, March, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of acetic and propionic acids from the hydrolyzed sugars obtained from lignocellulosic wastes

M. Mohammadi¹, G.D. Najafpour¹*, M. Asadi², M. Rahimnejad¹, S. Najafpour³ M. Pazouki⁴

¹Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Noushirvani University of Technology, Babol, Iran.

²Faculty of Civil Engineering, Noushirvani University of Technology, Babol, Iran.

³Ecological Academy of Caspian Sea P.O.Box 961, Sari, Iran.

⁴Environment Group, Department of Energy, Materials and Energy Research Center, Karaj, Iran.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. Fax: 0098-111-3234204.

Accepted 23 February, 2017

Abstract

Immobilized cell reactor (ICR) was developed as a novel bioreactor to convert hydrolyzed sugars to organic acids. Sugar fermentation by Propionibacterium acid-propionici entraped by calcium alginate was carried out in continuous mode to produce propionic and acetic acids. In continuous fermentation, more than 90 percent of glucose conversion and 60 percent conversion of xylose were obtained at a retention time of 28 h. The present research has demonstrated that the microorganism preferred glucose as carbon source over other carbon sources. The highest sugar concentration (120 g/L) in the ICR column was successfully converted to propionic acid. The achieved results in ICR with high substrate concentration are promising for scale up operation.

Key words: Enzyme, whole cell, immobilized cell reactor, bioreactor, entrapment.

International Journal of Histology and Cytology ISSN 2447-9535 Vol. 5 (2), pp. 384-388, February, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

in vitro availability of hydrochlorothiazide from a novel buccoadhesive delivery system formulated with interpolymer complex

A. A. Attama, P. A. Akpa*, L. E. Onugwu and G. Igwilo

Drug Delivery Research Unit, Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +234-42-771911. Fax: +234-42-771709.

Accepted 01 April, 2017

Abstract

The buccoadhesive and in vitro release properties of patches formulated with ethylcellulose (EC) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) interpolymer complexes of different ratios were studied. The patches containing hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) were prepared by casting and thereafter, evaluated using the following parameters: diameter, thickness, swelling behaviour, buccoadhesive strength, drug content analysis and in vitro release studies. An adapted Lecomte Du Nouy tensiometer was used to assess the buccoadhesion of the patches on freshly excised buccal mucosa of a pig. The release of HCTZ from the patches was studied in phosphate buffer (pH 7.5). The result of the study indicated that 1:2 ratio of EC and HPMC gave the highest buccoadhesive strength. All the patches had uniform diameters but varied thicknesses with their areas ranging from 2.06 to 2.16 cm². The area swelling ratio (ASR) indicated that the patches did not swell up to two times their initial areas, with the batch containing 3:2 ratio of EC and HPMC possessing the highest ASR. Higuchi’s analysis of the release mechanism indicated that the release of HCTZ from the patches formulated with 1:1 and 2:1 ratios of EC and HPMC predominantly occurred by a diffusional process. This method could be used as an effective alternative delivery system for HCTZ compared with conventional tablet formulations.

Key words: Hydrochlorothiazide, ethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, interpolymer complex, area swelling ratio, buccoadhesive delivery.

International Journal of Histology and Cytology ISSN 2447-9535 Vol. 5 (5), pp. 423-428, May, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of properties of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in Ivory Coast for diabetes treatment  

Konkon, N. G^1,2, Adjoungoua, A. L.², Manda, P.³, Simaga, D², N’Guessan, K. E.¹ and Kone, B D.²

¹Laboratory of Botany, Biosciences Training and Research Unity, University of Abidjan - Cocody (Ivory Coast) 22 BP

1414 Abidjan 22 (Ivory Coast).

²Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Training and Research Unity of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, University of

Abidjan - Cocody (Ivory Coast) 01 BP V34 Abidjan 01 (Ivory Coast).

³Laboratory of Toxicology, Training and Research Unity of Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, University of

Abidjan - Cocody (Ivory Coast) 01 BP V34 Abidjan 01 (Ivory Coast).

*Corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +225 01553905. Fax: +225 22444473.

Accepted 11 July, 2017

Abstract

Mitragyna inermis leaves are used in Ivorian traditional medicine to treat diabetes. To situate tolerance limits, we determined acute toxicity threshold by the Overall Harmonized System of classification (SGH) using predetermined dose method and then we highlighted principal chemical groups responsible for pharmacological activity. The results allowed us to conclude that any dose of M. inermis leaves aqueous extract (300, 2000 and 5000 mg/kg) is lethal for the inoculated animals. LD₅₀ is thus higher than 5000 mg/kg. These results suggest that the aqueous leaf extract of M. inermis could be used with some degree of safety by oral route. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of sterol, triterpene, polyphenol, flavonoïd, catechic tannin, saponoside and alkaloid, which conferred several pharma-cological activities on the leaves of the plant.

Key words: Mitragyna inermis, acute toxicity, lethal dose, GHS class, phytochemistry.

International Journal of Histology and Cytology ISSN 2447-9535 Vol. 5 (1), pp. 375-380, January, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A study of how a Chinese Hamster Ovary cell line can translate a functional recombinant Dsn1p from the yeast

Beow Chin Yiap¹, A .K. Radhakrishnan² and Nadimpalli Ravi S. Varma^3*.

¹School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, International Medical University, No. 126, Jalan 19/155B, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

²Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, International Medical University, No. 126, Jalan 19/155B, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

³Department of Biological and Agriculture Engineering, University of California, Davis, 95616, California, USA.

*Corresponding  author.  E-mail:  [email protected]. Tel: 001-530-754-0332. Fax: 530 752-2640.

Accepted 11 April, 2017

Abstract

Dsn1p is a component of the mind complex (Mtw1p Including Nnf1p-Nsl1p-Dsn1p) that is essential for the segregation of chromosome in yeast cells. This protein assists the joining of kinetochore subunits contacting DNA to those contacting microtubules in yeast cells. Null mutants of this protein are not viable while the over-expression of the Dsn1 protein in yeast cells results in nuclear anomalies and growth defects. In this paper, we show that tetrad analysis indicates haplo-insufficiency and segregational errors in yeast diploid single deletants. Expression of Dsn1p in CHO has been achieved using the pcDNA 3.1/HIS A expression vector. Analysis by DNA sequencing showed no changes in the DSN1 DNA sequence. We also showed that nuclear fragmentation and cellular morphological changes takes place in CHO cell line that were successfully transfected with the pcDNA 3.1/HIS A expression vector containing the Dsn1p.

Key words: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, kinetochore, Dsn1p, Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO).