Fitness costs in chlorfenapyr-resistant populations of the chive maggot,Bradysia odoriphaga

The chive maggot, Bradysia odoriphaga (Yang and Zhang) is an economically important insect pest, affecting many key vegetables, including Chinese chive, especially in northern China. Chlorfenapyr, a halogenated pyrrole insecticide that interferes with mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation is widely used against B. odoriphaga. In this study, we evaluated selection-induced resistance to chlorfenapyr and fitness costs in B. odoriphaga. The results showed that B. odoriphaga developed 43.32-fold resistance after continuous exposure to chlorfenapyr for over 10 consecutive generations. The life-history traits of chlorfenapyr-resistant and susceptible strains were compared using age-stage, two-sex life table approach. No significant effects were observed on the longevity and pre-adult period. However, reduction in the total pre-oviposition period (TPOP) and fecundity (eggs/female) were observed in the resistant strain. Moreover, the demographic parameters such as intrinsic rate of increase (r), net reproductive rate (R0) and finite rate of increase (λ) were also decreased significantly in the resistant strain compared to the susceptible strain. These results showed the potential of B. odoriphaga to develop resistance against chlorfenapyr under continuous selection pressure. Furthermore, there was a fitness cost linked with chlorfenapyr resistance in B. odoriphaga. We conclude that a better knowlegde on the trade-off at play between resistance degree and fitness cost could be crucial for developing further management of B. odoriphaga in China.     

Assessment of knowledge of celiac disease among health care professionals

Objectives:

To assess knowledge of celiac disease among medical professionals (physicians).

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of hospital-based medical staff in primary, secondary, and tertiary care public, and private hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (KSA). We carried out the study between January 2013 and January 2104 at King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA. A pretested questionnaire was distributed to the potential participants. A scoring system was used to classify the level of knowledge of participants into 3 categories: poor, fair, and good.

Results:

A total of 109 physicians completed the survey and of these participants, 86.3% were from public hospitals, and 13.7% from private hospitals; 58.7% were males. Of the physicians, 19.2% had poor knowledge. Interns and residents had fair to good knowledge, but registrars, specialists, and even the consultants were less knowledgeable of celiac disease.

Conclusion:

Knowledge of celiac disease is poor among a significant number of physicians including consultants, which can potentially lead to delays in diagnosis. Educational programs need to be developed to improve awareness of celiac disease in the health care profession.Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder that is triggered by ingestion of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. This leads to small intestinal villous atrophy and its ensuing complications. Celiac disease is a common disorder, and the prevalence seems to be on the rise. The exact prevalence of CD in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia (KSA) is not known, but it affects approximately 0.5-1% of the general population in the West.1 The classical presentation of CD is in early childhood with a mal-absorptive picture leading to diarrhea and failure to thrive. However, many cases now present in adulthood. It can also have a variety of non-intestinal presentations such as anemia, fatigue, bone disease, liver enzyme elevation, and infertility.1,2 Highly sensitive screening tests such as immunoglobulin (Ig)A-tissue transglutaminase antibody are now available to screen for CD. The diagnosis of CD is confirmed with small intestinal biopsies, and treatment consists of a strict gluten-free diet for life.3 Health care professionals need to be aware of both the classical and non-classical (extra-intestinal) manifestations of CD in order to make a timely diagnosis. Delays in diagnosis can lead to potentially serious complications such as osteoporosis and small intestinal lymphoma.4 The purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge of CD among the medical professionals. The information obtained will help to design and conduct educational and training programs on CD.     

Antipyretic,anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia hydaspica</Emphasis> R. Parker and its phytochemical analysis

Background

Inflammation and pain underlies several pathological conditions. Synthetic drugs used for the management of these conditions carry severe toxic effects. Globally efforts are ongoing to introduce novel medicinal plants to develop effective, economic and innocuous drugs. The current study was aimed at investigating the antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of methanol extract of A. hydaspica aerial parts (AHM) and its active fraction. Furthermore identification and isolation of polyphenolic compounds was carried out to identify the active principles.

Methods

Yeast induced pyrexia, Paw edema, acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate test were carried out in vivo. HPLC-DAD analysis and combination of different chromatographic techniques, involving vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC) and flash chromatography (FC) were carried out for chemical characterization. The structural heterogeneity of flavanols was characterized by ESI- MS, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and ²D NMR spectroscopic analyses, and also by comparison with reported literature.

Results

Oral administration of A. hydaspica methanol extract (AHM) and A. hydaspica ethyl acetate fraction (AHE), showed dose and time dependent decrease in body temperature in yeast induced pyrexia, comparable to standard, Paracetamol. AHM and AHE (150 mg/kg) significantly (p?<?0.001) inhibit pain sensation in various pain models, i.e. acetic acid induced writhing and hot plate test. Similarly AHM and AHE demonstrated an anti-inflammatory effect in carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats and 150 mg/kg dose being distinctly more effective (91.92% inhibition). When studied on prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) induced edema in rats, AHM and AHE showed maximum inhibition of edema at 150 mg/kg after 4 h. HPLC chromatogram of AHM revealed the presence of gallic acid, catechin, rutin and caffeic acid. Chromatographic separation and structure characterization of AHE, has led to the identification of three flavan-3-ol derivative including 7-O-galloyl catechin, +catechin and methyl gallate, which have been reported for the first time in A. hydaspica.

Conclusion

These results revealed that the presence of bioactive compounds in A. hydaspica might be responsible for the pharmacological activities, confirming the indigenous utility of A. hydaspica against inflammatory disorders.

     

Chlorophyll derivatives can be an efficient weapon in the fight against dengue

Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral infection, is one of the major public health concerns in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Approximately, 2.5 billion people across the world are at risk from dengue and 50 to 100 million new infections of dengue occur annually. There is yet no vaccine or medicine available against dengue, and treatment remains only supportive. Targeting its vector by a combination of biological and chemical approaches and management of breeding sites are currently the only existing approaches to control or eliminate dengue. Chlorophyll derivatives like chlorophyllin and pheophorbide have been reported as effective natural photosensitizers against larvae of several insects including flies. Chlorophyll derivatives were also reported effective against larval stages of freshwater snails as well as against certain parasites of fish. This article briefly discusses the possible application of chlorophyll derivatives in controlling dengue vectors and hence the disease itself. Chlorophyll derivatives can prove to be a good contributor in an integrated approach against dengue.     

The Aquilegia pubiflora (Himalayan columbine) mediated synthesis of nanoceria for diverse biomedical applications

Herein, we report an eco-friendly, facile, one-pot, green synthesis of nanoceria for multiple biomedical applications. In the study, cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO₂-NPs) were synthesized using a simple aqueous extract of Aquilegia pubiflora as an effective reducing and capping agent. The biosynthesized nanoparticles were characterized via UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy. The NPs were highly stable, exhibited high purity, and had a spherical morphology and mean size of 28 nm. FTIR and HPLC studies confirmed the successful capping of bioactive compounds on the nanoparticles. The well-characterized NPs were evaluated for a number of biomedical applications, and their antimicrobial (antifungal, antibacterial, and antileishmanial), protein kinase inhibition, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-diabetic and biocompatibility properties were studied. Our results showed that the Aquilegia pubiflora mediated CeO₂-NPs were highly active against fungal strains, compared to the tested bacterial strains, with Aspergillus niger resulting in the largest zone of inhibition (15.1 ± 0.27 mm). The particles also exhibited dose dependent leishmanicidal activity with significant LC₅₀ values toward both the amastigote (114 μg mL⁻¹) and promastigote (97 μg mL⁻¹) forms of the parasite Leishmania tropica (KWH23). The NPs were found to be moderately active against the HepG2 cell line, showing 26.78% ± 1.16% inhibition at 200 μg mL⁻¹. Last but not least, their highly biocompatible nature was observed with respect to freshly isolated human red blood cells (hRBCs), making the greenly synthesized CeO₂-NPs a novel candidates for multidimensional medical applications.

Graphical illustration of eco-friendly, facile, one-pot, green synthesis of nanoceria for multiple biomedical applications.     

One-step synthesis of hydrophobic clinoptilolite modified by silanization for the degradation of crystal violet dye in aqueous solution

Hydrophobic clinoptilolite (CP) was successfully synthesized via a silanization method using methyltriethoxysilane (MTS) or diethoxydimethylsilane (DMTS) as silane coupling agents. The structural and textural properties of the resultant hydrophobic CP were characterized using various methods. The effect of the amount of MTS or DMTS additive on the induction (nucleation) and growth of CP were also investigated, and the apparent activation energy values for induction and growth periods were calculated, suggesting that the induction period is kinetically controlled, while the rapid growth process is thermodynamically controlled. Meanwhile, DMTS modification enhanced the hydrophobicity of CP compared with its MTS-modified counterpart and pure CP. Finally, various ZnO-supported CPs were used as photocatalysts for the removal of crystal violet from aqueous solution, demonstrating that ZnO/hydrophobic CP has the largest adsorption capacity and best removal performance. These results suggest that hydrophobic CP, as an adsorbent or support, has the most potential for applications in separation and catalysis.

One-step synthesis of hydrophobic CPs was demonstrated, in which the kinetically-controlled induction period and thermodynamically-based rapid growth process were elucidated.