Untangling the taxonomic ambiguities of the spotted seerfish Scomberomorus guttatus with the description of a new species from India

Scomberomorus guttatus has been subjected to a series of synonym assignations over the years. Its taxonomy has been mired with ambiguities due to the greater-than-average morphological variations observed in samples from different regions. An integrated taxonomic revision with molecular support indicated that the species that was thought to be a single entity, in reality, is a complex of three distinct species. They are morphologically distinct with respect to the body depth and elongation, cephalic morphometry, and meristic characteristics. Otolith morphometry and phylogenetic evidence further established the taxonomic divergence within the spotted seerfish complex. The phylogenetic characteristic as indicated by the mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence unveiled that S. guttatus had a high intraspecific divergence of 11.1% from its two identical congeners and a divergence of 2.34% between the congeners, indicating scope for categorizing them as separate species. Based on the morphological and molecular evidence, S. guttatus is redescribed; the senior synonym Scomberomorus leopardus is resurrected as a valid species; and a new species Scomberomorus avirostrus n. sp. is described with keys for species distinction.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci from Yellowcheek (Elopichthys bambusa)

Nine yellowcheek (Elopichthys bambusa) microsatellite loci were isolated using the fast isolation by AFLP of sequences containing repeats (FIASCO) protocol. Three to eight alleles per locus were detected in 29 samples collected from five populations of E. bambusa. The mean number of alleles was 5.6 ± 1.9 and the level of observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.415 to 0.843. These are the first microsatellite loci characterized from E. bambusa that can be used for estimating genetic diversity, population structure and parentage analysis.     

The role of mast cells and macrophages in amiodarone induced pulmonary fibrosis and the possible attenuating role of atorvastatin

Amiodarone (AM) is an effective anti-arrhythmic drug. We investigated the role of mast cells and macrophages on AM induced pulmonary fibrosis and the action of atorvastatin on this fibrosis. Rats were allocated into four groups; negative control (1), positive control (2), 30 mg/kg body weight/day AM (3) and AM + 10 mg/kg/day atorvastatin (4). Lungs were harvested and prepared for histology and immunohistochemistry. Hematoxylin and eosin stained sections of group 3 exhibited disorganized lung architecture. We found cellular debris in the lumen of both intrapulmonary bronchi and bronchioles with partial disruption of the thickened epithelial lining and mononuclear cellular infiltration into the lamina propria. We also observed thickening of the epithelial lining and the smooth muscle layer. Congested, dilated and thickened blood capillaries and thickened inter-alveolar septa were observed with mononuclear cellular infiltrates in the lung of group 3. Most alveoli were collapsed, but some dilated ones were detected. In some alveoli, type ?? pneumocytes were increased, while type I cells were decreased. We observed significant increases in the amount of collagen in the thickened inter-alveolar septa, around bronchioles and around blood capillaries in sections from group 3. We found a significant increase in mast cells and alveolar macrophages in group 3 compared to group 1. Mast cells and macrophages appear to play important roles in AM induced pulmonary fibrosis. Atorvastatin appears to attenuate this condition.     

Thyroid function following radiation therapy in breast cancer patients: risk of radiation-induced hypothyroidism

BackgroundRadiation exposure to the thyroid gland seems unavoidable in breast cancer (BC) patients receiving radiation therapy (RT) to the supraclavicular (SC) region. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of SC region RT on thyroid function and the prevalence of radiation-induced hypothyroidism (RIHT) in BC patients at regular intervals post-treatment.Materials and methodsTwenty-one patients with BC were enrolled in this analytical cross-sectional study by simple and convenient sampling, from March 2019 to March 2020. Thyroid function and the prevalence of RIHT were evaluated and compared by measuring the serum of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine hormone (fT4) levels before radiation therapy (pre-RT) and 3 and 6 months after radiation therapy (post-RT). The patients underwent 3 dimensional conformal. radiation therapy (3D CRT) of breast/chest wall, axillary, and supraclavicular lymph nodes with 50 Gy/25 fractions/5 weeks. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 20).ResultsSerum levels of TSH increased at 3 and 6 months post-RT, this increase was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, serum levels of fT4 were significantly elevated at 3 and 6 months post-RT (p < 0.01). A correlation was observed between the follow-up period and the incidence of RIHT, where it was 0% at 3 months and 9.5% at 6 months post-RT. RIHT was not significantly associated with any factors, including patient’s age, type of surgery, thyroid gland dose, and thyroid gland volume.ConclusionsIt seems that SC region RT does not have a significant adverse effect on the thyroid function among BC patients at 3 and 6 months post-treatment. Hence, a long-term follow-up with a larger sample size is suggested.     

Effects of Row-Type,Row-Spacing,Seeding Rate,Soil-Type,and Cultivar Differences on Soybean Seed Nutrition under US Mississippi Delta Conditions

The new Early Soybean Production System (ESPS), developed in the Midsouth USA, including the Mississippi delta, resulted in higher yield under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions. However, information on the effects of the agricultural practices such as row-type (RT: twin- vs. single-row), row-spacing, (RS), seeding rate (SR), soil-type (ST) on seed nutrition under the ESPS environment in the Mississippi delta is very limited. Our previous research in the Mississippi delta showed these agricultural practices altered seed nutrients in one cultivar only. However, whether these effects on seed nutrients will be exhibited by other soybean cultivars with earlier and later maturities across multiple years are not yet known. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of agricultural practices and cultivar (Cv) differences on seed nutrition in clay and sandy soils under ESPS environment of high heat and drought. Two field experiments were conducted; one experiment was conducted in 2009 and 2010, and the other in 2008, 2009, and 2010 under irrigated conditions. Soybean were grown on 102 cm single-rows and on 25 cm twin-rows with 102 cm centers at seeding rates of 20, 30, 40, and 50 seeds m^–2. Two soybean cultivars (94M80 with earlier maturity; and GP 533 with later maturity) were used. Results showed that increasing seeding rate resulted in increases of protein, sucrose, glucose, raffinose, B, and P concentrations on both single- and twin-rows. However, this increase became either constant or declined at the higher rates (40 and 50 seeds m^–2). Protein and linolenic acid concentrations were higher in GP 533 than in 94M80 on both row-types, but oil and oleic acid concentrations were in 94M80 than GP 533. Generally, cultivar GP 533 accumulated more seed constituents in seeds than 94M80. In 2010, there were no clear responses of seed nutrients to SR increase in both cultivars, perhaps due to drier year and high heat in 2010. It is concluded that RT and SR can alter seed nutrition under clay and sandy soils, especially under high heat and drought conditions as in the Mississippi delta.     

Genetic Environment of Plasmid Mediated CTX-M-15 Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases from Clinical and Food Borne Bacteria in North-Eastern India

Background

The study investigated the presence of CTX-M-15 type extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL), compared their genetic arrangements and plasmid types in gram negative isolates of hospital and food origin in north-east India. From September 2013 to April 2014, a total of 252 consecutive, non-duplicate clinical isolates and 88 gram negative food isolates were selected. Phenotypic and molecular characterization of ESBL genes was performed. Presence of integrons and gene cassettes were analyzed by integrase and 59 base-element PCR respectively. The molecular environments surrounding bla _CTX-M and plasmid types were investigated by PCR and PCR-based replicon typing respectively. Transformation was carried out to assess plasmid transfer. Southern blotting was conducted to localize the bla _CTX-M-15 genes. DNA fingerprinting was performed by ERIC-PCR.

Results

Prevalence of ESBL was found to be 40.8% (103/252) in clinical and 31.8% (28/88) in food-borne isolates. Molecular characterization revealed the presence of 56.3% (58/103) and 53.5% (15/28) bla _CTX-M-15 in clinical and food isolates respectively. Strains of clinical and food origin were non-clonal. Replicon typing revealed that IncI1 and IncFII plasmid were carrying bla _CTX-M-15 in clinical and food isolates and were horizontally transferable. The ISEcp1 element was associated with bla _CTX-M-15 in both clinical and food isolates.

Conclusions

The simultaneous presence of resistance determinants in non-clonal isolates of two different groups thus suggests that the microbiota of common food products consumed may serve as a reservoir for some of the drug resistance genes prevalent in human pathogens.     

In silico analysis of quranic and prophetic medicinals plants for the treatment of infectious viral diseases including corona virus

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infection of the respiratory system caused by single standard RNA viruses named as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease appeared as a serious problem and the leading cause of death in human beings throughout the world. The main source of different phytochemicals are plants, which helps in the development of new drugs against various ailments. Islam is comprehensive religion and a complete code of life for Muslims. The teaching of Islam, according to the Holy Quran and Hadith are universal for the benefit of humanity. Islam believes that every ailment is from God and who made the disease definitely made its medication. There is a complete guideline with regard to taking measures against infectious diseases such as quarantine and seeking medicinal treatment. The research objective is to gather the knowledge of medicinal plants described in the Holy Quran or utilized by the Prophet (SAW) for the treatment of different ailments or advised to use them to boost immunity and strengthen the body. Scientists across the globe have found these plants beneficial for many diseases and have antiviral potential. In present study, the six plant species including Olea europaea, Nigella sativa, Allium Sativum, Allium cepa, Zingiber officinale and Cassia senna were selected which contain phytochemicals like Calcium Elenolate, Thymoquinone, S-Allylcysteine, Dipropyl Disulfide, Sesquiterpene, Monoterpene, Pelargonidin 3-Galactoside ion and Kaempferol. The phytochemicals monoterpene (from Zingiber officinale) shows best interaction with target proteins RdRP, 3CLPro, ACE2. Calcium Elonate (from olive) bonds with 3CLPro, ACE2 and Kemoferol and Pelargomidine (from Senna Makki) bonds with RdRP, ACE2. The ligands show a unique set of intersections i.e. hydrogen bonding, and alkyl interaction. These medicinal plants can be utilized immediately for the treatment of COVID-19 as their safety is already established. This treatment can enhance recovery when combined with other treatments. Furthermore, the screening of bioactive compounds or phytochemicals found in these plants can be utilized to design new therapeutic drug to treat COVID-19 pandemic.