Abstract Eco-physiological and physiological characteristics are used to study native rhizobial species for their ecological and physiological adaptability to different conditions. This study aimed to assess the eco-physiological and physiological characteristics of cowpea-nodulating rhizobia isolated from major production areas of Ethiopia. Twenty-eight isolates were isolated from cowpea root nodules and evaluated for different eco-physiological and physiological characteristics. All tested isolates grew within a temperature range of 20°C and 35°C. All isolates were able to grow at pH values of between 6.0 and 8.5, with optimal growth at pH around neutral. All isolates were tolerant of NaCl concentration ranging from 0.1% to 1%. The growth of isolates decreased as the salt concentration increased. The tested isolates were able to grow on different carbon sources, such as glucose (100%), fructose (100%) glycerol (100%), mannose (96.43%), lactose (96.43%), galactose (85.71%), arabinose (60.71%) and maltose (46.43%) showing that the majority of tested rhizobia were able to use a broad range of carbohydrates as sole carbon sources. Similarly, the isolates were able to grow on L-lysine (89.29%), L-arginine (92.86%), tyrosine (82.14%), L-tryptophan (89.29%), L-asparagine (78.57%), methionine (75%) and glutamate (85.71%) as a source of amino acids. The tested isolates showed a wide diversity for their tolerance to different eco-physiological conditions (temperature, pH and salt concentration) and had the ability to utilize a large variety of carbon and nitrogen sources. The variation and diversity of tolerance to different ecological conditions and utilization of different nutrients would provide them an ecological advantage and enhance their chance for survival.
Abstract Cancers remain one of the leading causes of death in the world. However, known conventional cancer medicines remain scarce, expensive and out of reach to many patients. To provide an alternative for the expensive therapies, plants are proving to have potential to lead to the development of more drugs against cancers. In this work, we aimed at isolating possible pure compounds from Eichhornia crassipes roots and leaves, examining their prospects to be developed into oral drugs by looking at their chemical properties and also exploring their cytotoxic activities. A total of 12 isolates (A-L) were obtained and examination of their UV and mass profiles on LCMS and cytotoxicity on human cell lines. Compound C was the most active against MCF-7 cell lines (3.08 ± 0.06 µg/ml) and (3.92 ± 0.06 µg/ml) against HepG2. The standard drug, doxorubicin, had an IC50 value of 0.29 ± 0.05 µg/ml against MCF-7 and 0.33 ± 0.04 µg/ml against HepG2 cell lines. UV results from the LCMS chromatograms showed that some active isolates do not possess the chemistry suitable to be developed into oral drugs as they are while others that are not as potent possess very good drug-like chemistry. We therefore conclude that there is need for drug developers to consider chemical properties and medicinal chemistry prospects of active isolates/compounds through rational optimization in plant-based drug discovery. Eichhornia crassipes should be considered as a cheap source of potential drug hits against cancers.
The effect of silver thiosulfate (STS) and putrescine was studied on the vase life and quality of cut chrysanthemum in a factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design. The experimental factors were composed of silver thiosulfate at four levels (0 or control, 0.02, 0.05 and 0.1 mM) and putrescine at three levels (0 or control, 150 and 300 ppm). The results showed that the application of STS at the rates of 0.05 and 0.1 mM improved vase life of cut chrysanthemum. Also, putrescine at the 150 and 300 ppm improved vase life by increasing relative weight and decreasing wilting percentage. The interaction of the two studied factors was insignificant for most traits including wilting percentage and vase life, which may imply that the application of either substance alone suffices to improve postharvest quality and it is not necessary to use them simultaneously in the preservative solution.
Background and Objective:Studies have reported that the spouses of patients with recurrent miscarriage have a high rate of sperm aneuploidy,The types and the methods of determination of sperm aneuploidy are different. The correlation between the specific type of sperm aneuploidy and recurrent miscarriage is inconclusive.Here, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the rate of sperm aneploidy tested in FISH way in male partners of women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL group) and fertile male control groups. Methods:Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, and PubMed databases and a manual search were done for observational research from inception till 23 May 2019.Pooled standard mean difference (SMD), odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to describe effect sizes.This study was conducted according to MOOSE statement. Results:Overall, One study was included for qualitative analysis owing to a lack of standard deviation data, and nine studies were included for quantitative analysis.326 male partners of women with recurrent pregnancy loss and 124 fertile men were included in this study.The primary outcome was the rate of sperm aneuploidy. Pooled data from three studies with sufficient data suggested that male partners of women with a history of RPL had significantly higher rates of total sperm aneuploidy compared with the partners of fertile control women(SMD: 1.07, 95% CI: 0.39-1.75, P < 0.01). In the qualitative analysis, the RPL group had a greater percentage of sperm aneuploidy, Conclusions:Qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis suggested an association between total sperm aneuploidy and RPL. However, for some specific type of sperm aneuploidy, male partners of women with a history of RPL had similar rates as fertile men. Further studies are needed owing to the significant heterogeneity between studies and lack of prospective pregnancy outcome data.
Leachates from the landrace sorghum IS9456 were tested onBidens pilosaemergence and growth at Henderson Research Station in 2018. The trial had six treatments replicated four times. Stover was put in perforated plastic pots suspended on a frame. Watering released leachates, which were received by clay pots under the suspended pots. Atrazine significantly inhibited percentage emergence (P < 0.05) and leaf area (P < 0.001) ofB. pilosacompared to leachates from all sorghum plant parts and the negative control. There was no significant effect (P > 0.05) of sorghum plant part as source of aqueous extract, and atrazine on height ofB. pilosa. Sorghum stalks, leaves and sorghum stalks combined with leaves significantly (P < 0.05) reduced dry weight ofB. pilosacompared to treatments with heads, atrazine and no sorghum herbage. Heads, stalks, leaves and leaves combined with stalks from mature IS9456 have limited allelopathic effect on the emergence ofBidens pilosacompared to atrazine. However, stalks, leaves and leaves combined with stalks can suppress biomass ofBidens pilosapossibly due to high concentrations of water soluble allelopathic compounds. Atrazine can provide early suppressionB. pilosa, while allelopathic leachates from sorghum leaves, stalks and leaves combined with stalks can suppressB. pilosain later growth stages by reducing weed biomass.
The genusBuniumL. (Apiaceae) has about 50 species in the world, distributed in Asia, Europe and North Africa. Recently,Buniumhas been divided into two separate generaElwendiaandBunium. Kerman province is the largest province in Iran and has a wide distribution of these genera especiallyE. persica, as the most important medicinal and spice species. There are a few published studies on the morphology of these genera, especially on flower and fruit morphology. 20 morphological traits were studied to analyze the differences between species. The most important traits in the first principal component analysis (PCA1) were the number of bracts and umbellets per umbel, stylopodial length, corolla shape, empty fruits and the number of flowers and fruits per umbellet. Corolla shape was raised and verticalin B. paucifoliumwhile horizontal and wide in three other species (E. cylindrica, E. persicaandE. wolffii). There are 3 to 4 male flowers in the center of umbellet inE. cylindrica, E. wolffiiandB. paucifoliumwhile inE. Persica, no male flowers were observed. This study revealed that morphological traits particularly corolla shape are consistent with the molecular phylogenetic results reported by other researchers.
Cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths and health debts worldwide. Novel plant extracts with anticancer properties can alleviate this disease burden. The aim of this study was to screen for new therapeutic agents with anticancer properties against a panel of four cancer cell lines. Cytotoxicity screening of aqueous and methanolic extracts from bark, fruits and leaves of Bersama engleriana was carried out on A546 cell line and the best fractions from the methanolic extract of fruits (BEfr: methanolic extracts of fruits) were performed on four cancer cell lines. Methanolic extracts from the root of Bersama engleriana gave the highest yield (21.55%). Phytochemical analysis showed that the tested methanolic extracts contained polyphenols. The F3, a fraction from the methanolic extract of fruits exhibited potent antiproliferative activities with IC50 values of 60 +/- 0.91, 53.73 +/- 0.79, 50.91 +/- 0.46 mu g/ml on U-87MG, MG-63 and MIAPaCa-2 cells, respectively. The F3 fraction also caused death to 50% (CC50) of normal HFF cells, i.e. at 527.4 +/- 0.81 mu g/ml. Selectivity indexes (SI = CC50/IC50) of 10.52, 8.79, 9.81 and 10.25 were obtained for A549, U-87MG, MG-63 and MIAPaCa-2 cells, respectively. These results confirmed the anticancer potential of Bersama engleriana.
Nowadays, lack of irrigation water is critical factor that reduce horticultural crop production and productivity. This serious shortage of irrigation water requires improvement of our irrigation methods and irrigation management techniques. "One of the possible methods to maximize crop production with limited irrigation water was de?cit irrigation one way of deficit irrigation was partial rootzone drying". Therefore, the objective of the review was to assess impact of partial root zone drying on soil water content, and physiology of plants mainly, water absorption, movement, its use efficiency by plants and to suggest role chlorophyll fluorescence on partial root zone dying irrigation management. Result of different studies showed that partial rootzone drying irrigation preserve soil moisture lessening and irrigation water absorption by compensating water absorbed from dry part of the root zone to the wetter part and dry part is irrigated or rewetted alternatively. When we use partial root-zone drying irrigation ABA mediated aquaporin activity increases, which in turn increase the movement of water upward in to stem and leaf. This occurs in both the wet to dried zones. Partial rootzone drying irrigation saves 518 m(3) ha(-1) irrigation water in moisture deficit year and increase irrigation water use efficiency by 70%, and it reduce grain yield by only 10% compared to full irrigation. Chlorophyll fluorescence may help in early detection of plant water stress and ultimately to irrigation scheduling o f partial rootzone drying irrigation. Generally, this review highlights some importance of partial rootzone drying irrigation and suggests methods to manage it mainly chlorophyll fluorescence.
Trichoderma has been used as a biological control agent against grey mould in major crops because of its large variety of antagonistic mechanisms. In the present study, Trichoderma sp. SANA20 was isolated from Japanese apricot bark as a biological control agent for grey mould caused by Botrytis cinerea. SANA20 suppressed B. cinerea hyphal growth but did not show mycoparasitism on media using the dual culture technique. SANA20 decreased B. cinerea induced grey mould disease severity in cucumber leaves. The biocontrol activity of SANA20 culture media toward B. cinerea induced grey mould disease suggested that the antagonistic activity of SANA20 toward B. cinerea was dependent on substances secreted by SANA20. SANA20 produced and secreted chitinase, which can degrade fungal cell wall, in culture media. Purified chitinase from SANA20 culture media also decreased the severity of grey mould in cucumber leaves, suggesting that chitinase production by SANA20 played a critical role in the biological control of B. cinerea. SANA20 is expected to contribute to the further improvement of integrated pest management strategies for combating B. cinerea and to potentially suppress the heavy use of chemical fungicides in the field.
Unpleasant side effects associated with prolonged use of current anti-inflammatory drugs have necessitated a need for new drugs with limited side effects. Plants rich in antioxidants have been suggested as potential sources of anti-inflammatory compounds. Thus, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of extracts ofReissantia indica, Grosseria vignei and Cissus cornifolia-medicinal plants with widespread use in folkloric medicine in Ghana-were evaluated in this study. The phytochemical composition and total phenolic content (TPC) of these extracts were determined using standard methods. Antioxidant potential was screened using the ferric reducing antioxidant activity, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide scavenging, and the phosphomolybdenum assays. The anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated using anin vivoassay. Alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides and coumarins were present in extracts of all three plants. The TPC ofReissantia indica(38.44 mu g/g GAE) was twice that ofGrosseria vignei(19.12 mu g/g GAE) whereasCissus cornifolia(7.59 mu g/g GAE) had the lowest TPC. In all antioxidant tests, activities of the plant extracts varied in the order; Reissantia indica > Grosseria vignei > Cissus cornifolia, which was in agreement with the TPC data. All extracts exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activities, with the dose of extract required to cause half-maximal reduction in edema (ED50) below 80 mg/kg. Reissantia indicawas the most potent anti-inflammatory extract with an ED50 of 47.23 mg/kg. The ethanol extracts of Reissantia indica, Grosseria vignei, and Cissus cornifoliathus exhibited potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities and may be important sources of novel antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.
Parkland agroforestry can store carbon and conserves biodiversity. Studying the relationship between carbon stock and biodiversity is crucial in understanding the tradeoff between major benefits of the parkland agroforestry system, and way to achieve the optimum balance between them. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the biomass and SOC in community type, and explore the relationship between carbon stocks and diversity. Tree with DBH (Diameter at breast height) > 2 cm was measured and species were identified in 75 (50x100m) randomly located plots. Species richness (S), Species evenness (J), Shannon-weiner diversity index (H') and Simpson diversity index (D) of the study area were 3.02, 0.81, 0.82 and 0.46 respectively. Similarly, the mean aboveground (AGC), belowground (BGC) and soil organic (SOC) carbon were 7.9, 3.03 and 20.07 Mg C ha-1 respectively. There was a liner and weakly significant correlation between AGC and tree J in plant community 2 (r = -0.558, P < 0.05) and 3 (r = -0.451, P < 0.05), and there was a negative correlation between J (r = -0.552, P < 0.05), D (r = -0.646, P < 0.05) and H' (r = -0.643, P < 0.05) with TC (Total carbon) in plant community 2. However, there was no significant relationship between J, D and H' with TC in plant communities 1 and 3. In these parkland agroforestry systems, the relationship tree species diversity with AGC and TC appeared to be highly variable; it indicates that parkland agroforestry systems have significantly improved the vegetation and SOC. However, forest carbon enhancement cannot assure the biodiversity conservation and promotion in a parkland agroforestry system.
Abamectin (ABM) is a naturally fermented product of Streptomyces avermitilis. It is used to control pests in livestock and agriculture. In the present study, it has been hypothesized that intoxication of ABM to Oreochromis mossambicus impairs the function of the hepatocyte. Fishes were exposed to ABM with 40, 45, and 55 ppb for 48 h. Test animals were observed at regular intervals of time and sacrificed at the end of the regimen. Liver function tests, oxidative stress parameter, and histopathological alterations were taken into account to analyze hepatotoxicity induced by the test compound. Plasma transaminase activities were increased significantly in all the treated groups. The activity of lipid peroxidation was measured higher due to ABM intoxication, whereas catalase activity was depleted. The marked focal necrotic alteration was examined in liver tissue. The low-dose group showed a less adverse effect on liver, whereas the medium and high dose induced moderate-to-severe hepatotoxicity. Data from this study demonstrate that ABM exposure generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) and alter liver function of fishes, which may lead to liver necrosis. The authors' emphasis on the regulatory use of ABM to protect fish health against ABM-induced toxicological effects.
Vegetable cultivation using river water, which may be polluted with heavy metals, can cause health problems to consumers. A study to establish cadmium and lead levels in water from Msasa, Manyame; Mukuvisi and Nyatsime Rivers was conducted in 2019. A questionnaire survey involving 105 randomly selected urban vegetable growers was conducted to examine farmer knowledge of the potential of polluted water to contaminate produce through heavy metals. Water, soil and vegetable samples were also collected and analysed for heavy metal presence using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results showed that some farmers (62%) were aware that wastewater could contain heavy metals. The majority of farmers (67%) applied phosphate-based fertilisers, a potential source of cadmium. Tested at P < 0.05, the results showed that sampled water from the four sites failed to meet the Standards Association of Zimbabwe 5560 (1997) standards. Cadmium tissue concentration from wastewater from Msasa and Manyame rivers was 1.3 and 1.17 mg g(-1)respectively, which were 59 and 65 times higher than 0.02 mg g(-1)from the control. Water from Manyame and Nyatsime rivers contains levels of heavy metals which exceed the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) safety guidelines. Farmers need to be educated on health hazards from contaminated wastewater. Enforcing regulations on effluent disposal, licencing of vegetable vendors and labelling of vegetables with information on source of water used to irrigate the crop can help reduce exposure of unsuspecting vegetable consumers.
Substance abuse is an issue of considerable concern due to its devastating effects to families and communities in many countries. We formulate a mathematical model for multiple substance abuse using nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The model includes two classes of individuals in the substance using phase, namely, those using the primary substance of abuse only and those using the primary substance of abuse together with additional substance(s). An epidemic threshold value, , termed the initiation reproduction number, is proposed and defined herein in the substance-using context. It has been shown that the substance-free equilibrium is locally asymptotically stable when and the system has a unique positive substance-persistent equilibrium if and only if . The least-squares curve fit routine (lsqcurvefit) in Matlab with optimization has been used to fit the model to data on primary and secondary substance abusers in treatment centres of Cape Town, South Africa. The results indicate a continued decrease in the proportion of primary substance abusers in Cape Town whereas secondary substance abusers shall continue to increase but steadily. Numerical results suggest that there is need to increase treatment efforts targeting secondary substance abusers as this will have more impact in the fight against substance abuse.
Catasetum pileatum Rchb.f. is an important potting and cutting plant. This is the first report trying the polyploid induction in C. pileatum Rchb.f. Protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) explants of this orchid species were treated in vitro with different colchicine concentrations (0.00, 1.00, 2.00, 3.00, 4.00 and 5.00 mg l(-1)) and exposure time (24, 48 and 72 h) to induce polyploidy. Flow cytometry, chromosome counting (karyotype), and some anatomical, morphological, and physiological parameters were used to detect polyploidy induction. Treatment of 4.00 mg l(-1) colchicine for 72 h resulted in a mixoploid plantlet. Results showed that none of the treatments induced tetraploidy or other levels of polyploidy, but changes in anatomical, morphological, and physiological parameters were observed. Differences in anatomical, morphological, and physiological parameters between treated plantlets were significant. The chromosome number detected by chromosome counting was 2 n = 2x = 54 in diploids. The largest size of stoma guard cells and maximum number of these cells was obtained in leaves of plantlets treated with 4.00 and 3.00 mg l(-1) colchicine both for 72 h, respectively. The highest fresh and dry weights of plantlets and chlorophyll index in leaves was obtained in plantlets treated with 4.00 mg l(-1) colchicine for 48 h. Average survival rates from treatments were greater than 90%.
Variations among the populations of Colletotrichum species from diseased coffee berries were studied. A total of 35 Colletotrichum isolates representing 24 districts from major coffee-producing regions of Ethiopia was studied on the basis of cultural, morphological, and pathological characteristics. The isolates differed significantly on their colony color, density, sector, and acervuli. Mycelial growth rate varied significantly (p < 0.05) among the isolates and ranged between 3.97 and 8.69 mm/day. Sporulation capacity, conidial length (12.3-17.7 mu m) and conidia width (3.6-5.1 mu m) also varied significantly (p < 0.05) among the isolates. The dominant forms of conidia were cylindrical and round at both ends followed by cylindrical acute at one and round at the other ends. Cluster analysis based on cultural, morphological, and pathological characteristics showed that isolates of Colletotrichum species associated diseased coffee berries fell into three distinct groups and were identified as C. kahawae, C. gloeosporioides, and C. acutatum. Among these fungal isolates, only C. kahawae was pathogenic to both detached coffee berries and coffee hypocotyls tested. The other Colletotrichum species exist as saprophytic or sequential colonizer of dead tissues. In conclusion, our study indicates the existence of variation in cultural, morphological characteristics and pathogenicity among the C. kahawae and the other related Colletotrichum isolates. However, molecular methods and other detail biochemical tests would provide the genetic diversity of the CBD pathogen populations in the country.
Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) are innate immunity proteins that are conserved from insects to mammals, recognize bacterial peptidoglycan, and function in antibacterial immunity and inflammation. Mammals have four PGRPs (PGLYRP1, PGLYRP2, PGLYRP3 and GLYRP4). They are secreted proteins expressed in different tissues. It is significant to make a study of human PGLYRP1 because neutrophils are a more dominant mechanism in human host defense. Related research results show the functions of human PGLYRP1 in the innate immunity of neutrophils is to conducive to the killing of intracellular and extracellular bacteria. Bactericidal activity of human PGLYRP-1, PGLYRP-3, PGLYRP-4, and PGLYRP-3: 4 for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria require Zn2+. In addition, for killing of Gram-negative bacteria, Zn2+ cannot be replaced by other cations, but for killing of Gram-positive bacteria, Zn2+ can be partially replaced by Ca2+, which have been proved. Then, the effect of human PGLYRP1 on several human diseases (inflammatory bowel disease, ST-elevation myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, skin melanoma and renal carcinoma) have been reviewed. Taken together, these results indicate that human PGLYRP1 encodes an innate immunity protein that breaks down the structure of microbial cell wall, plays a role both in antibacterial defenses and several inflammatory diseases.
Sodium fluoroacetate (1080) is a highly toxic metabolic poison that has the potential because of its lack of defined color, odor, and taste and its high water solubility to be intentionally or unintentionally ingested through food adulteration. Although the mechanism of action for 1080 has been known since the 1950's, no known antidote exists. In an effort to better understand the cardiopulmonary impacts of 1080, we utilized whole-body plethysmography and telemeterized Sprague-Dawley rats which allowed for the real-time measurement of respiratory and cardiac parameters following exposure using a non-invasive assisted-drinking method. Overall, the animals showed marked depression of respiratory parameters over the course of 24 hours post-exposure and the development of hemorrhage in the lung tissue. Tidal volume was reduced by 30% in males and 60% in females at 24 hours post-exposure, and respiratory frequency was significantly depressed as well. In telemeterized female rats, we observed severe cardiac abnormalities, highlighted by a 50% reduction in heart rate, 75% reduction in systolic blood pressure, and a 3.5-fold lengthening of the QRS interval over the course of 24 hours. We also observed a reduction in core body temperature of nearly 15°C. Our study was able to describe the severe and pronounced effects of sodium fluoroacetate poisoning on cardiopulmonary function, the results of which indicate that both tissue specific and systemic deficits contribute to the toxicological progression of 1080 intoxication and will need to be accounted for when developing any potential countermeasure for 1080 poisoning.
Acetaldehyde is a physiological species existing in blood. Glyceraldehyde is a commonly-used surrogate for glucose in studies of nonenzymatic glycation. Both species exist in dynamic equilibrium between two forms, an aldehyde and a hydrate. Nonenzymatic covalent protein modification (NECPM) is a process whereby a protein is covalently modified by a non-glucose species. The purpose here was to elucidate the NECPM mechanism(s) for acetaldehyde and glyceraldehyde with human hemoglobin (HbA). For the first time, both aldehydic and hydrate forms of acetaldehyde and glyceraldehyde were considered. Computations and model reactions followed by 1H NMR were employed. Results demonstrated that the aldehyde and hydrate forms of acetaldehyde bind and covalently-modify Val1 of HbA via different chemical mechanisms, yet generated an identical protonated Schiff base (PSB). The aldehyde and hydrate of glyceraldehyde also covalently-modified Val1 via mechanisms distinct from one another, yet generated an identical PSB. It is noteworthy that the PSB from acetaldehyde and glyceraldehyde were different structures. The PSB from acetaldehyde is proposed to proceed to covalent adducts that have been implicated in alcohol toxicity. Conversely, the PSB generated from glyceraldehyde can form an Amadori which has been implicated in diabetic complications. Thus, the PSB structure generated from acetaldehyde versus glyceraldehyde may be central to pathophysiological outcomes because it determines the structure of the stable covalent adduct formed.
