Journal of Bioengineering & Biomedical Science

A biological weapon appears to be more threatening than any other type of weapon, due to the psychological impact it creates in a society. The easiness of manufacture, less controllability and the quantum of calamity, make this an attractive tool for many extremist groups. The water distribution systems either build by nature (such as river, lake etc) or humanly made ones (such as a metro water distribution system, canals etc) are susceptible to biological attack. Biological agents (BA) are effective in very low doses. Therefore, Biological Agent Detection Systems (BADS) need to exhibit high sensitivity. The complex and rapidly changing environmental background also requires these detection systems to exhibit a high degree of selectivity (i.e. Able to discriminate BA from other harmless biological and non-biological material present in the environment). In this paper we present a Remotely Accessible Bio Surveillance System (RABSS) that can sense presence of the BA such as Bacteria in remote water bodies. The system is capable of detecting the presence of bacteria in water bodies that contains a cell count greater than or equal to ten. The fully automated system includes, a Sample Handling System (SHS), Sensor module, Wireless communication link and an embedded system to control all the functionalities in real time.

Reputable for treatment of Malaria, Diabetes, Digestive disorders, Fever, Wounds, Jaundice, and painful menstruation, Azadirachta indica (Neem) is locally called “Dogonyaro” in Nigeria and has been reported to be an orally active, safe, and effective plant preparation in fertility regulation. This study investigated the effect of neem leaf extract on male reproductive hormones in wistar rats. Eight wistar rats were divided into two groups of four rats each (n=4). While group 1 rats were fed normal mesh and water (Control), group 2 received 200 mg/kg body weight of neem extract and mesh feed (Extract). Following period of administration, rats were euthanized, and blood samples obtained for analysis of reproductive hormones [Testosterone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and Leutenizing Hormone (LH)]. Student’s t-test revealed a decrease in testosterone, FSH, and LH levels of experimental groups as compared with control. Study therefore has shown that neem leaf extract can negatively affect male reproductive hormones.

Additional oncogene copy was transferred in normal cells, and additional tumor-suppression gene copy-in malignant cells, respectively, by transfection with the appropriate recombinant DNA-constructs, containing each one the respective gene. The results obtained were compared with the data from insertion of copy from the respective gene in prokaryotic bacteria strains E. coli, by analogical transfection with appropriate gene constructs. In application of low initial infections (high initial dilutions of viral suspensions, respectively) of eventually attenuated by many passages vaccine strains from the heterologous for mammals and mammalian cells avian viral species, only slight ultra-structural changes and signs of partially-formed immature viral particles in the cells, were established, but no cytopathic effect (CPE was observed). In freezing of the so inoculated mammalian cells after addition of cryoprotector Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), thawing and re-incubation in fresh cultivation medium, signs of activated cell proliferation were noted. One of the possible explanations could be eventual transfer of nucleotide sequences from viral particles to separate cells because of activated fusion processes on the influence of DMSO in drastic temperature changes. The results obtained proposed a possibility about application of the described methods as available alternatives for both vaccine production and gene-engineering manipulations with cells, compared with the procedures of preparation and application of designed quite expensive recombinant DNA-constructs. Future studies are necessary in this direction.

In the present study, Abaqus finite element modelling was used to explore the durability of cardiovascular stent made of AISI 316L under bending loading. In order to achieve this purpose, two geometries of stent are explored: the U-shaped and Ω-shaped stent. The cyclic loading of blood pressure doesn’t cause fracture. This result was confirmed by many studies. However, when subjected to bending loading the stent was found to experience an inservice failure. The last proved to the artery movement and depends on the increase of bending loading. However, the Ω-shape stunt permits a better distribution of load than the U-shape one.

Advancements in influenza virus or virus like particle separation technology can greatly accelerate vaccine production. Due to frequent mutation of the influenza virus, rapid and effective separation of influenza virus directly from host cells still remains a challenge. In this paper, we developed a new cellulose fiber monolith-based chromatography with tunable anion exchange and pseudo-affinity modifications for the separation of cell cultureproduced influenza virus. A novel strategy is proposed for preparing cellulose fiber monolith, which enhances the mechanical property of the monolith. Controllable pore size and porosity were achieved by dispersing and removing a porogen into cellulose-dissolving solution. The structure of cellulose monolith was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope and the porosity study, which confirmed the controllable average pore size of 10 micron and porosity up to 85%. Two virus separation modes including anion-exchange and pseudo-affinity were introduced into the cellulose monolith, subsequently. The two modifications were quantified by an Element Analyzer. A H1N1 influenza virus strain (A/WSN/33) was produced and harvested in adherent Madin-Darby Canine Kidney Epithelial (MDCK) cells and used directly for virus separation. The results indicated that the pseudo-affinity mode had higher virus separation efficiency and had less host cell dsDNA and protein contamination.