Postoperative Deep Vein Thrombosis in Sudanese Patients

The incidence of postoperative deep vein thrombosis diagnosed by radioisotope scanning in 100 Sudanese patients aged 40 or over was 12%. This compares with an incidence of nearly 30% in 542 patients reported from British hospitals using the same diagnostic technique. The reason for the difference is obscure and needs further investigation.     

Acacia ochracea (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae), a new species from Somalia

Acacia ochracea , a new species in the A. Senegal complex, is described and illustrated. It is a common and conspicuous tree over large areas in the western Bay Region and in the Gedo Region in SW Somalia.     

Superoxide dismutase protects against paraquat-mediated dioxygen toxicity and mutagenicity: studies in Salmonella typhimurium

Paraquat is univalently reduced to the relatively stable, but oxygen-sensitive, paraquat radical (PQ.+). This PQ.+ can react with dioxygen to generate the superoxide radical, which can further generate other more deleterious species of oxygen free radicals (i.e., hydroxyl radical, OH.). These oxygen free radicals are known to cause chromosomal breaks; therefore, it was logical to postulate that paraquat is a mutagen. This proved to be the case when tested in a modified Ames test using a liquid incubation assay. Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 were grown in the presence of various concentrations of PQ, as well as in the presence of known mutagenic compounds: mitomycin C, azide, and proflavine. Paraquat was much more toxic and mutagenic in a simple nutritionally restricted medium than in a rich complex medium and these toxic and mutagenic effects were oxygen dependent. Furthermore, cells containing high levels of superoxide dismutase were more resistant to the toxic and mutagenic effects of paraquat than were cells containing a normal level of this enzyme.     

Putative therapeutic impacts of cardiac CTRP9 in ischaemia/reperfusion injury

Recently, cytokines belonging to C1q/tumour necrosis factor‐related proteins (CTRPs) superfamily have attracted increasing attention due to multiple metabolic functions and desirable anti‐inflammatory effects. These various molecular effectors exhibit key roles upon the onset of cardiovascular diseases, making them novel adipo/cardiokines. This review article aimed to highlight recent findings correlated with therapeutic effects and additional mechanisms specific to the CTRP9, particularly in cardiac ischaemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). Besides, the network of the CTPR9 signalling pathway and its possible relationship with IRI were discussed. Together, the discovery of all involved underlying mechanisms could shed light to alleviate the pathological sequelae after the occurrence of IRI.     

Molecular detection of nematicidal crystalliferous Bacillus thuringiensis strains of Iran and evaluation of their toxicity on free-living and plant-parasitic nematodes

The characterization of nematode-effective strains and cry genes in the Iranian Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) collection (70 isolates) is presented. Characterization was based on PCR analysis using 12 specific primers for cry5, cry6, cry12, cry13, cry14, and cry21 genes encoding proteins active against nematodes, crystal morphology, and protein band patterns as well as their nematicidal activity on root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) and two free-living nematodes (Chiloplacus tenuis and Acrobeloides enoplus). PCR results with primers for these genes showed that 22 isolates (31.5%) contain a minimum of one nematode-active cry gene. Strains containing the cry6 gene were the most abundant and represent 22.8% of the isolates. Bt strains harboring cry14 genes were also abundant (14.2%). cry21 and cry5 genes were less abundant, found in 4.2% and 2.8% of the strains, respectively. In total, six different nematode-active cry gene profiles were detected in this collection. Four isolates did not show the expected PCR product size for cry5, cry6, and cry21 genes; they might contain potentially novel insecticidal crystal protein genes. Twenty-two Bt isolates containing nematode-active cry genes were selected for preliminary bioassays on M. incognita. Based on these bioassays, four isolates were selected for detailed bioassays. Isolates YD5 and KON4 at 2 x 10(8) CFU/mL concentrations showed 77% and 81% toxicity on M. incognita, respectively. The free-living nematodes C. tenuis and A. enoplus were more susceptible and the highest mortality was observed within 48 h of incubation at all of the concentrations tested. Maximum mortality was recorded for isolates SN1 and KON4 at 2 x 10(8) CFU/mL concentrations and resulted in 68% and 77% adults deaths of C. tenuis and 68% and 72% for A. enoplus, respectively. Our results showed that PCR is a useful technique for toxicity prediction of nematicidal Bt isolates.     

Spatial metrics effect of forest fragmentation on forest bird abundance and site occupancy probability: the influence of patch size and isolation

The persistence of species taxa within fragmented habitats is dependent on the source–sink metapopulation processes, and forest patch size and isolation are key factors. Unveiling species–patch area and/or species–patch isolation relationships may help provide crucial information for species and landscape management. In this study, relationship between forest patch size and isolation with abundance and occupancy probability of forest-dependent birds was investigated. This study was based within a coastal landscape that faces deleterious human activities such as clearing for agriculture. The study aimed to answer the question of whether the size and extent of isolation of forest patches influence abundance and/or occupancy probability of forest-specialist and generalist birds. Two bird species, namely Tiny Greenbul Phyllastrephus debilis subsp. rabai and Yellow-bellied Greenbul Chlorocichla flaviventris, were used as models. Birds were surveyed using distance sampling methods, and spatial metrics were measured from satellite imagery. Focal forest size and distance between forest patches were the most influential metrics whereby abundance and occupancy probabilities increased with increasing patch size, but were negatively influenced by increasing gaps between patches. These findings provide evidence of the existence of patch size/ isolation–occupancy relationships characterised by higher occupancy rate of large patches and distance-dependent dispersal, which decreased with increasing gaps between patches. Controlling deleterious human activities that reduce forest size should be a priority for the long-term conservation of forest-dependent birds.