Vitamin A (retinol) was fortified to microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and exposed to oxidative decomposition in the presence of copper ion under different storage temperatures at water activity (aw) 0.11. It was observed that copper ion and temperature had great effect on the stability of vitamin A. About 50% of the fortified vitamin A was lost in 41, 34 and 24 hours when stored at 30, 40 and 50°C, respectively at aw 0.11. The rate of reaction associated with copper ion was of first order character. The 'k' value was the highest at 30°C followed by 40°C and the minimum rate at 50°C. Model system (MS) fortified with copper ion had a lower activation energy (Ea) value (20.1x10³ Jmol-¹) as compared to unfortified MS, which had an Ea value of 28.4x10³ Jmol-¹.

Abstract | Full Text PDF

In this paper a short backfire antenna fed by an electromagnetic coupled patch (EMCP) operating at X-band is constructed and its performance is experimentally investigated and reported. The antenna is excited in the TM10 -mode. The resonant frequency is also measured and its value is compared with the predicted values as a mutual check of the experimental data. The experimental results indicate a remarkable improvement in the radiation pattern as well as in the gain and a noticeable increment in the bandwidth of the backfire antenna as compared with those of a single patch microstrip radiator.

Abstract | Full Text PDF

A study was undertaken to assess the effect of feeding practices on birth interval and morbidity among children. A sample population of 200 mothers was randomly selected from rural and urban areas of North Western Frontier (NWFP) in Pakistan. It was observed that mothers who exclusively breast fed their children for 18 months, their mean birth interval was 20 months as compared to 14 months for partial breast feeding and 2 months for totally bottle feeding for the same duration. Moreover, diarrhea and respiratory tract infections in partially breast fed and totally bottle fed children was higher than exclusively breast fed children.

Abstract | Full Text PDF

In order to investigate the effects of cadmium induced lipid peroxidation on red blood cell membrane this experimental study was undertaken. Rats were given drinking water containing 15 ppm CdCI2 for 30 days and the fragility of red blood cells obtained from cadmium exposed rats were compared with those of controls.
Despite the fact that obvious cadmium induced lipid peroxidation as indicated by increased blood TBARS, elevated phospholipids and protein contents of red blood cell membrane here was no significant changes in the fragility of erythrocytes in cadmium treated rats.
This unaltered red blood cell fragility suggested us that red blood cell membrane is more resistant to peroxidative stress than other cells and this resistance seems to be helpful in the maintenance of tissue oxygenation.

Abstract | Full Text PDF

The relation between the pathogen Bacillus thuringiensis and the predator Orius albidepennis (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) associated with the greasy cutworm Agrotis ypsilon (Lepidoptera) has been investigated.
The biology of the predator showed to be affected in terms of nymphal duration, rate of food consumption and egg production when the predator larvae were fed on treated eggs or neonate larvae of the host (A. ypsilon). The effect of B-exotoxin (thuringiensin) on the predator has been also demonstrated.

Abstract | Full Text PDF

Three myxosporidian (Myxozoa, Myxosporea) parasites, Myxobolus diagrammae n. sp. from the Kidney of Parapristipoma (Diagramma) octolineatum and Plectorhynchus (Diagramma) mediterraneus, Thelohannus arii n. sp. from the gall Bladder of Arius heudeloti and Myxidium chilomycteri n. sp. from the gall bladder of Chilomycterus spinosus mauretanicus are described. The host fishes were collected from the coast of Senegal, West Africa. The spores of M. diagrammae measured 11.23±0.85 m x 6.73±0.78 m and their polar capsules were 4.10±0.65 x 2.6±0.70 m. The dimensions of spores of T. arii were 12.57±0.5 m x 6.64±0.7 m; polar capsules 6.9±0.12 x 2.57±0.17 m. Spores of M. chilomycteri measured 11.53±0.68 m x 7.27±0.58 m and their polar capsules were 4.10±0.54 m x 3.17±0.37 m.

Abstract | Full Text PDF

The aim of the study was to investigate the pathological changes of cardiac morphology and cardiac muscle in sickle cell anemia. Eight male and two female patients (aged 16-29 years) were included in this study. The patients were diagnosed with total blood count and hemoglobin electrophoresis. In all patients cardiac chambers dilatation systolic and/or diastolic function disturbances were shown with cardiac findings, electrocardiography, telecardiography and echocardiography. All the patients subsequently underwent right heart catheterization and endomyocardial biopsy. It was found that pulmonary arterial and right ventricular pressures were high in 8 patients (80%). Ultra-structure of the myocardium was nonspecific. By light microscopy myocardial hypertrophy was observed in 9 cases (90%), myocardial fibrosis in 7 (70%) and interstitial edema in 4 (30%) It was concluded that in these patients the above cardiac findings were sub-clinical, non specific and of medium intensity.

Abstract | Full Text PDF

It is argued that Ouahes' proposal to replace the current symbols of the chemical elements by periodic meaningful ones should not be adopted. If such a chemical revolution would prove to be necessary, then the new symbols must be related to the atomic numbers, by which the elements are characterized. Using numerical roots, introduced by IUPAC, such a set of retinol symbols, with matching names, can easily be devised.

Abstract | Full Text PDF