Eurhizococcus brasiliensis Wille, 1922 (Hemiptera: Margarodidae) molecular profile

Eurhizococcus brasiliensis Wille, 1922 (Hemiptera: Margarodidae), also known as ground pearl, is a root cochineal found in viticultures in several Brazilian states. It causes economic losses and is difficult to control. Given the difficulty in morphologically identifying the group, the current study aims to trace the ground pearl molecular profile by assuming that there is more than one species of this cochineal in the country. Ground pearl samples were collected in Rio Grande do Sul (Flores da Cunha and Pinto Bandeira Counties), Santa Catarina (Videira and Pinheiro Preto Counties), São Paulo (São Roque, São Miguel Arcanjo, Louveira and Indaiatuba Counties) and Pernambuco States (Petrolina County). Subsequently, the COI, ITS and 28S genes as well as the 18 RAPD primers were analyzed. The COI and ITS gene primers were not successfully amplified. The 28S gene analysis formed two clades and the RAPD analysis formed three groups. The genetic and geographic distances among the herein analyzed samples were positive. Results allow inferring the existence of at least two ground pearl groups in the analyzed areas. Two hypotheses are presented in order to explain the cochineal groups' separation: (i) the founder effect action and (ii) the regional species independence. However, it is necessary to conduct complementary molecular studies using other genes as well as studies on the group taxonomy and basic biology to explain the ground pearl phylogeny.

Host-parasite translocation: A potential source of zoonoses emergence in Nigeria

Zoonoses are infectious diseases that are spread between animals and people. These diseases are transmitted to humans in many ways, such as direct contacts, indirect contacts, vector-borne, foodborne, and inhalation. Translocation and introduction of animals to new geographic regions correspond to increased human global travel and commerce as underlying factors for infectious disease emergence. In this review, we examined some potential notable driving mechanism of zoonosis in Nigeria. The population explodes, and demand for animal products has resulted in the expansion of animal trade, both local and international, animal and human movements, and intensification of livestock production systems. The above mentioned have an indirect role in zoonotic disease distribution. Animal husbandry, wildlife hunting, and hunting with dogs are potential routes of parasite translocation, most notably when infected animals are killed. Zoonotic diseases cause severe economic loss in the pathogenic spoilage of milk, contaminated animal products, carcass quality, weight loss, infertility, and loss of animal population. The cost of disease control decreases in household income due to a reduction in livestock/product sales. Also, consumption impacts due to reduced food availability, increased household vulnerability where livestock is used as a risk-coping mechanism, and effects on household finance, which influences household savings. Our suggestions for future effective zoonoses control include, an improved surveillance system, well-structured quarantine services, institutionalized one health approach, public enlightenment, interdisciplinary research, and ultimately a strict conservation rules and regulation may be turned into law to avoid transmission of Zoonosis through the consumption of wild animal which is most reservoir of causative pathogen.

Phytochemical screening and antifungal potency of Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) extract against post harvest mycodeterioration of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum)

The study investigated fungi associated with post harvest tomato fruits sold in the open market in Port Harcourt Metropolis. The antifungal activity (bitter leaf) extracts against spoilage was studied using well-in-agar diffusion method. Results showed that mean percentage incidence of fungi isolated from tomato fruits were Rhizopus stolonifer (56%), Aspergillus niger (62%) and Altermaria altermata (35%). Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Vernonia amygdalina at different concentrations (20%, 40%, and 60%) (w/v) were used against fungi isolates, while water and ketoconzole (0.5 mg/mL) served as negative and positive control, respectively. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of V. amygdalina inhibited the growth of all three test fungi. There were significant differences (p > 0.05) in the mean inhibitory effects of plant extracts and control. Antifungal activity measured as diameter of zone of inhibition revealed that V. amygdalina acqueous extract at 60% was very active against Aspergillus niger (16.50 mm) and Alternaria altermata (16.00 mm), while being moderately active against Rhizopus stolonifer (13.00 mm). However, 60% ethanolic extract of V. amygdalina was very active against A. niger (19.00 mm), A. altermata (17.00 mm) and Rhizopus stolonifer (15.80 mm). Phytochemical screening of V. amygdalina revealed the presence of tannins, oxalate, saponnins, flavanoid, cynogenic glucoside, phytate and Alkaloids V. amygdalina could serve as a potentially viable alternative to chemical fungicides in the preservation of post harvest tomato fruits (Lycopersicum esculentum).

Efficacy of jamun Syzygium cumini seed and orange Citrus sinensis peel extracts against microcystin LR induced histological damage in the kidney of rat

In this study we evaluated the protective effects of jamun Syzygium cumini seed and orange Citrus sinensis peel extracts on renotoxicity of microcystin LR in male rats. Groups A-F were given daily treatments for 30 days. Group A (Control): No treatment was given; Group B: microcystin (10 µg/kg body wt); Group C: microcystin (10 µg/kg body wt) and jamun seed extract (200 mg/kg body wt); Group D: microcystin (10 µg/kg body wt) and orange peel extract (200 mg/kg body wt; Group E: orange peel extract (200 mg/kg body wt); Group F: jamun seed extract (200 mg/kg body wt). Kidney were fixed at 15th and 30th day after the treatments. In 15 day MCLR (group B) treated rats shrunken glomeruli, hypertrophy of epithelial cells of tubules. vacuolation of cytoplasm and obliterated tubular lumina were noticed. In MCLR+JSE (group C) and MCLR+OPE (group D) treated rats almost similar changes were noticed as seen in MCLR treated rats. In OPE (group E) and JSE (group F) treated rats no visible morphological alterations were nojticed. Following 30 day MCLR treatment (group B), increased cellularity of glomeruli, no space between the Bowman's capsule and glomerulus, glomerular degeneration, dilated tubules, separation of tubular epithelial cells from underlying basement membrane, tubular vacuolization and degeneration with necrotic nuclei in lumina and deposition of eosin-positive material in the tubules were observed. In MCLR+JSE (group C) and MCLR+OPE (group D) treated rats the glomeruli were swollen showing increased cellularity. No degeneration was noticed in glomeruli. Tubules were dilated, however, at few places few epithelial cells were degenerating. Necrotic nuclei were not seen in tubular lumina. In OPE (group E) and JSE (group F) treated rats the kidney exhibited no histological changes.

Climbing behavior of Rhinella icterica (Spix, 1824) (Anura, Bufonidae): A typically terrestrial toad being scansorial

Toads of the Family Bufonidae do present diversified life histories, most of them are terrestrial, but there are aquatic and arboreal species. Rhinella icterica (Spix, 1824) (Anura, Bufonidae) is a ground dweller bufonid that use the habitat mainly horizontally. Here, we report the occurrence of climbing behavior in R. icterica, adding knowledge with respect to its types of locomotion. The individual was found on the ground and when perceived the presence of the observer it jumped to a wall, hit it, fell back to the ground, and then started to climb the wall. The toad climbed slowly, but apparently without difficulty, since it went up without slipping until the top of the ravine. Performing a given locomotor behavior even rarely confer additional ability to evade from threats and to access otherwise inaccessible food and spatial resources. Whether this behavior is common or rare in the genus is still obscure, nevertheless, at least some typically terrestrial species of Rhinella are capable of climbing and, as R. icterica, use the habitat vertically.

Nutritional, phytoconstituents, and free radical scavenging potentials of Cola lepidota K. Schum. and Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex O'Rorke) Baill. leaves

This study was carried out to determine the essential oil components, protein qualities, fatty acid composition, and free radical scavenging potentials of leaves of Cola lepidota K. Schum. (Malvaceae) and Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex O'Rorke) Baill. (Irvingiaceae) using chromatographic and spectrophotometric methods. Thirty five bioactive components were isolated from C. lepidota leaves with myrcene, phytol, ephedrine, hexadecanoic acid, and 1,14-tetradecanediol as the main compounds while phytol, 2-furancarboxaldehyde, 5-(hydroxymethyl)-, 1-hexadecyne, carotene, and humulene were the predominant components of the I. gabonensis leaves. Leucine and arginine were the predominant essential amino acids, whereas glutamic acid and serine were the main non-essential amino acids in both leaves. The total amino acid (TAA) (70.92 g/100g), total non-essential amino acid (TNEAA) (45.87 g/100 g), and total acidic amino acid (TAAA) (23.01 g/100 g) of C. lepidota were high whereas I. gabonensis recorded higher Total essential amino acid (TEAA) (28.98 g/100 g), total aromatic amino acid (TArAA) (7.21 g/100 g), total branched chain amino acid (TBCAA) (14.28 g/100g), predicted protein efficiency ratios (P-PERs), and essential amino acid index (EAAI). C. lepidota contained 55.72% of unsaturated fatty acids, with predominance of linolenic and linoleic acids, while I. gabonensis produced 74.46% of saturated fatty acids, having myristic, lauric, and palmitic acid as the main compounds. All the radical scavenging potentials of both leaves were concentration dependent and produced higher DPPH, hydrogen peroxide, and ABTS radical scavenging potentials than the standards. This study has thus provided the scientific backing for the inclusion of both leaves for dietary and therapeutic purposes.

Assessment of the haematological parameters and biochemical indices of albino rats fed with spores of Trichoderma viride

The haematological as well as some enzymes biomarkers of albino rats orogastically dosed with different concentrations of Trichoderma viride as well as T. viride subjected to various treatments were evaluated. Generally, red blood cell count, haemoglobin content and packed cell volume of the control group were significantly higher than that of animals dosed with different concentrations of T. viride. The same trend was observed when T. viride was amended with 1% lactose, sodium nitrate and sodium chloride. There were no significant differences in the alanine aspartate, alkaline phosphatase and alanine transaminase values of animals dosed with lower concentrations of T. viride. This study suggests that lower concentration of T. viride could be used in controlling fungal phytopathogens.

Character investigation and homology, with a brief discussion on the phylogenetic relationships of Annelida and Polychaeta within Metazoa

The intense production of information demands coherent treatment of available bodies of theoretical knowledge. A critical revision of methods in use within research programs is essential to maintain an adequate ontology and to guarantee the particular epistemological position required by each research area. The theory of Phylogenetic Systematics was developed in multiple forms, resulting in hypotheses that may be widely incongruent. This reflects the crisis of present paradigm, and illustrates failures in present phylogenetic thinking. The aim of the study is to discuss characters and homology hypotheses based on Hennigian principles. We present samples from the most unresolved groups within the evolutionary history of the Metazoa: Annelida and Polychaeta. The main phylogenetic proposals appearing in the history of the Annelida, from morphological (living and fossilized organisms) to molecular approaches are discussed. We do not consider annelids and polychaetes to be monophyletic entities. Both taxa need more detailed comparisons with others groups, such as deuterostomes. According to our published opinions, Annelida and Polychaeta are placed at the base of the deuterostomes, and these worm-like organisms are ultimately the ancestors of the Enterocoela. Thus, in order to systematize the Metameria, we have regarded Annelida, Pleistoannelida, Lophotrochozoa and Protostomia as being paraphyletic taxa.

Antifungal potential of purified 3-(4-isopropylstyryl)-5-methylcyclohex-2-enone from marine actinobacteria Streptomyces albus A18

Actinomycetes are known to produce potential secondary metabolites which comprise biological activity. The present work endeavor is to assess the fungicidal property of novel marine actinobacterial compound 3-(4-isopropylstyryl)-5-methylcyclohex-2-enone extracted and isolated from Streptomyces albus AC18. The crude compound was loaded on silica gel column and eluted with chloroform - methanol - water. The purity of isolated compound were analyzed by TLC using chloroform and methanol as the solvent system and verified by GC-MS. The purified compound structure was established from infrared, ultraviolet, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and mass spectral data. The chemical shift assignments for the aliphatic compound from 1H-NMR corresponds to molecular formula as C18H22O. The Bioassay-guided fraction leads to the isolation of compound, was identified as 3-(4-isopropylstyryl)-5-methylcyclohex-2-enone. Hence, this marine isolated S. albus AC18 actino-bacterial compound seem to be more efficient in its antifungal activity and acts as prominent reservoir for novel drug molecules en route for answering several fungal diseases.

Impact of Murraya koenigii (L.) Sprengel (Rutaceae) extracts on lifespan and oxidative stress markers in Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830 (Diptera)

The free radicals (ROS and RNS) damage to proteins, DNA, lipids of the cell. These free radicals creates the imbalance in physiological functions and acts as a prevalent cause of various diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, aging, oxidative stress and metabolic syndrome by dysfunction of antioxidant enzyme system of cell. Using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830 (Diptera) as a model we examined the antioxidant properties of Murraya koenigii (L.) Sprengel (Rutaceae) on the life history parameters. We demonstrate a novel physiological interaction between free radicals, oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme system by using extracts of M. koenigii in standard diet of the fly. This study describes how this interaction impacts a very early cellular defect associated with ageing and ageing associate diseases. We also describe progressive deficits in flies expressing the superoxide dismutase gene, catalase and lipid peroxidation. Collectively, our work demonstrates that Drosophila can be used to study the cellular, physiological and behavioral basis of human ageing related diseases.