Detection of refractive photokeratectomy traces during eye banking: impossible with organ culture but possible with an active storage machine: case report

Cell and Tissue Banking - The detection of corneas operated on for refractive surgery [LASIK or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)] will become a major concern for eye banks in the coming years...     

The Study of the Altering Substrate Refractive Index on Single Symmetry Split-Ring Resonator Unit Cell Metamaterial

Plasmonics - This study employed single symmetry split-ring resonator (SRR) to implement biosensor applications. The behavior of the applied mechanism was observed comprehensively by altering the...     

Correction to: In Silico Evaluation of Food Derived Bioactive Peptides as Inhibitors of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE)

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - The original version of the article unfortunately contained a typo in co-author name.     

Reunderstanding Cairo through urban metabolism: Formal versus informal districts resource flow performance in fast urbanizing cities

Urban expansion can be seen as the most pervasive human impact on the environment where its high resource use contributes negatively to climate change and resource scarcity crises. Many experts call for decoupling resource use, economic development, and related urban development especially within cities of the Global South. This paper focuses on investigating resource efficiency through the lens of urban metabolism. It investigates current resource flows, through material flow analysis, from source to sink, in two diverse districts in Cairo: a formal district and an informal one, regarding materials (waste) and mobility. Consequently, the paper discusses locally responsive interventions that address local priorities as opposing to citywide one‐size fits all solution. The paper relies on parcel audits, which are embedded in an Urban Metabolism Information System developed by the Ecocity Builders and their partners, through a joint project with Cairo University. The methodology couples crowd‐sourced data, parcel audits, and experts’ knowledge to better understand resource flows based on a bottom‐up approach, given the unavailability of governmental data on the local level. The paper further correlates the perceived quality of life with the actual resource flows. It utilizes fieldwork investigations to argue against the local misconceptions regarding the inefficiency of informal areas/systems versus the higher efficiency of planned areas/systems. The paper concludes by proposing integrated solutions that respond to local needs and resources. It highlights the challenges and lessons of this tailored bottom‐up approach and its applicability in other cities worldwide.     

Larvicidal potential of gold and silver nanoparticles synthesized using Acalypha fruticosa leaf extracts against Culex pipiens (Culicidae: Diptera)

Plant secondary metabolites have been recently used for the synthesis of different nanoparticles. The present investigation aimed at evaluating the effect of gold (AuNPs) and silver (AgNPs) nanoparticles synthesized using Acalypha fruticosa leaf extracts to control the mosquito Culex pipiens. The A. fruticosa AuNPs and AgNPs spectra displayed their maximum absorption at 550 nm and 440 nm, respectively. The infrared spectra revealed different functional groups related to different chemical compounds. The larval mortality of aqueous leaf extract of A. fruticosa was 499.54 ppm (LC₅₀) and 1734.06 ppm (LC₉₀) after 24 h of treatment. This study revealed that AuNP (LC₅₀, 30.2 and LC₉₀, 104.83 ppm) and AgNP (LC₅₀, 52.86 and LC₉₀, 157.227 ppm) preparations were highly effective compared to the A. fruticosa extract alone and also more affordable, as a smaller amount was required. The present findings show the potential larvicidal effect of the synthesized AuNPs and AgNPs for the control of mosquito-mediated disease transmission.     

Population dynamics,hunting nature on insect pests and existence of symbiotic bacterial microbes among leading transgenic cotton spiders

The genetically modified cotton holding Bt proteins, is noxious to bollworms larvae but very little is known about its impact on population of non-target spiders within the field. Studies conducted with the aim to identify spiders along with their abundance, prevalence pattern, preying habit on insect pests in Bt cotton (L280, Cry2Ab4) and commonness of symbiotic bacteria in these spiders. Spiders collections were made via vial tapping/jarring, from May to end of October (2018). In total, 13,342 spiders were recorded during the entire cropping season. Least relative abundance was in May (0.28%), highest in August (30.39%) while ahead decline was observed, reached to 12% in October. The 27 species were verified, least richness was in May (3 species), high in August (19 species), later in the end, reduced to 7 species. High abundance was of Hylyphantes graminicola (68.56%) and Neoscona theisi (19.98%). Existence of H. graminicola and Pardosa astrigera observed during the whole cropping season. Presence of seven guilds among spiders had a diverse nature of hunting insect pests and on number of species existed in the crop, maximum was from direct hunting habit. Composition and community structure of microbiota varied as of spider species. Proteobacteria was the most abundant bacterial phylum and topmost genus was Wolbachia in observed spiders. Five groups of bacteria distinguished across 4 clusters of spiders depending on core community of symbiotic bacterial genera. This effort is an initial step to get knowhow about spiders in Bt cotton, which will facilitate future research studies concerning spiders.     

In-vitro and In-vivo management of Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood and Rhizoctonia bataticola (Taub.) Butler in cotton using organic’s

Root-knot nematodes Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood and Rhizoctonia bataticola (Taub.) Butler, fungus, are very dangerous root damaging pathogens. Present study was planned to establish a chemical control of these root deteriorating pathogens under lab conditions as well as in field. Maximum death rate of nematode juveniles and minimum numbers of nematode eggs hatched were recorded in plates treated with Cadusafos (Rugby® 100G) @12 g/100 ml and Cartap® (4% G) @9g/100 ml. Chemical treatment of Rhizoctonia bataticola with Trifloxystrobin + Tebuconazole (Nativo®) @0.2 g/100 ml and Mancozeb + Matalaxyl (Axiom) @0.25 g/100 ml significantly controlled the mycelial growth in plates. The best treatments tested in laboratory were applied in field as protective and curative treatments. Results proved that chemical control of root-knot nematode and root rot fungi by tested chemicals at recommended time and dose is a significant management technique under field conditions.     

Quantification of biochemical compounds in Bauhinia Variegata Linn flower extract and its hepatoprotective effect

Liver disorders may occur as a result of exposure to chemical compounds capable of inducing the oxidative stress and hepatic injuries. The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of flower extracts of B. Variegata for the treatment of liver injury induced by the CCl₄. About 1 ml/kg body weight (b.w) of CCl4 was induced to experimental mice by intraperitoneal way for 14 days. The methanol and chloroform extracts (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg b.w) were administered to experimental animals for 14 days along with standard drug Silymarine (100 mg/kg b.w). The extracts alone showed no evidence of hepatic toxicity but animals exposed to CCl₄ without the treatment with B. Variegata presented variations in levels of liver enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, proteins and blood cells as well as injuries in liver cells were also observed during histopathological study. However, after the treatments especially with 300 mg/kg b.w of methanol flower extracts levels of liver markers (ALT, AST and ALP), antioxidant enzymes and blood cells decreases and turned towards normal levels. Whereas level of total proteins and bilirubin was improved and damaged liver cells were repaired. The curative activity of flower extracts can be correlated to the higher potential of antioxidants and occurrence of Quercetin and some other organic compounds those were investigated from flower extracts of B. Variegata during HPLC and GC-MS analysis. The finding of this study supports the use of B. Variegata flower formulation in folk medicines.     

Farmers’ knowledge,perception and management of mango mealy bug,Drosicha mangiferae Green (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae), on Mangifera indica in Punjab,Pakistan

In 2004–05, during the December to February about 141 mango farmers were interviewed during peak activity of mango mealy bug in southern Punjab, Pakistan. The objective was to know the farmers’ knowledge, perceptions and practices in the management of mango mealy bug. Most of the farmers (94.33%) reported that Chaunsa variety (king of all mango varieties) was susceptible to mango and irrigation water was the major source of flare up of this pest. Basudin and Supracide were the most commonly used insecticides as 72.92 and 51.77 percent farmers gave positive response and grease bands were applied for the control of mango mealy bug by the majority of the respondents. Hundred percent yield losses was told by 22.7 percent respondents whereas 75 percent, 50 percent and 25 percent losses were reported by 39.7, 31.9 and 14.2 insecticidal spray did not show satisfaction to the respondents for the control of fertilized females of mango mealy bug coming down from the trees. Lack of knowledge about the pest, lack of money, adulterated and shortage of pesticides, lack of unity amongst farmers Further the growers’ views were tested in the field for confirmation and small land holdings were the main constraints for the control of mango mealy bug.     

In silico annotation of unreviewed acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in some lepidopteran insect pest species reveals the causes of insecticide resistance

Lepidoptera is the second most diverse insect order outnumbered only by the Coeleptera. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is the major target site for insecticides. Extensive use of insecticides, to inhibit the function of this enzyme, have resulted in the development of insecticide resistance. Complete knowledge of the target proteins is very important to know the cause of resistance. Computational annotation of insect acetylcholinesterase can be helpful for the characterization of this important protein. Acetylcholinesterase of fourteen lepidopteran insect pest species was annotated by using different bioinformatics tools. AChE in all the species was hydrophilic and thermostable. All the species showed lower values for instability index except L. orbonalis, S. exigua and T. absoluta. Highest percentage of Arg, Asp, Asn, Gln and Cys were recorded in P. rapae. High percentage of Cys and Gln might be reason for insecticide resistance development in P. rapae. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the AChE in T. absoluta, L. orbonalis and S. exigua are closely related and emerged from same primary branch. Three functional motifs were predicted in eleven species while only two were found in L. orbonalis, S. exigua and T. absoluta. AChE in eleven species followed secretory pathway and have signal peptides. No signal peptides were predicted for S. exigua, L. orbonalis and T. absoluta and follow non secretory pathway. Arginine methylation and cysteine palmotylation was found in all species except S. exigua, L. orbonalis and T. absoluta. Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor was predicted in only nine species.