Seasonality,habitat type and locality influenced bird assemblage structure in Nigeria

This is the first report of the avian assemblage in the study area of Dutse, Nigeria. In addition to recording bird species, the effects of season, dominant vegetation structure, locality and anthropogenic activities on bird abundance, species richness and diversity were investigated. Using the point transect method, 264 points on 48 km of transect were used to count birds between 06:30 and 11:00 from August 2015 to February 2016. A total of 122 bird species of 41 families were recorded. Highest bird species richness was recorded in Warwade, highest abundance in Model, and highest diversity in Malamawa. The dry season and woodland habitat showed higher bird species richness, abundance and diversity than the wet season and shrubland habitat. Tree density was more important in increasing bird abundance than shrub density. Small-scale anthropogenic activities and habitat modification, such as farming, grazing, wood removal and human interference did not appear to have impacted the birds; however, loss of high tree-density woodland habitats may pose a major threat to the bird community in Dutse. The presence of birds of concern in the area suggests the need for conservation efforts of avifauna and as well as the forested habitats in Dutse.     

Quantifying the ultrastructure changes of air-dried and irradiated human amniotic membrane using atomic force microscopy: a preliminary study

Air-dried and sterilized amnion has been widely used as a dressing to treat burn and partial thickness wounds. Sterilisation at the standard dose of 25 kGy was reported to cause changes in the morphological structure as observed under the scanning electron microscope. This study aimed to quantify the changes in the ultrastructure of the air-dried amnion after gamma-irradiated at several doses by using atomic force microscope. Human placentae were retrieved from mothers who had undergone cesarean elective surgery. Amnion separated from chorion was processed and air-dried for 16 h. It was cut into 10?×?10 mm, individually packed and exposed to gamma irradiation at 5, 15, 25 and 35 kGy. Changes in the ultrastructural images of the amnion were quantified in term of diameter of the epithelial cells, size of the intercellular gap and membrane surface roughness. The longest diameter of the amnion cells reduced significantly after radiation (p?<?0.01) however the effect was not dose dependent. No significant changes in the shortest diameter after radiation, except at 35 kGy which decreased significantly when compared to 5 kGy (p?<?0.01). The size of the irradiated air-dried amnion cells reduced in the same direction without affecting the gross ultrastructure. At 15 kGy the intercellular gap decreased significantly (p?<?0.01) with Ra and Rq, values reflecting surface roughness, were significantly the highest (p?<?0.01). Changes in the ultrastructure quantified by using atomic force microscope could complement results from other microscopic techniques.     

Iraqi propolis increases degradation of IL-1β and NLRC4 by autophagy following Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection

Autophagy is a cellular process for maintaining cellular homeostasis. This process can be induced by different factors, such as immune stimuli and pathogen-associated molecules. Autophagy has an important role in the control of IL-1β secretion by macrophages and other cell types. In present study, we describe a novel role for Iraqi propolis affecting autophagy in controlling the secretion of IL-1β in bone-marrow macrophages (BMDMs). After infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the presence of propolis, the degradation of IL-1β was induced, and the activity of inflammasome was reduced. Iraqi propolis-induced autophagy in in vitro and in vivo models decreased the levels of IL-1β and caspase-1. Results indicated that IL-1β pathway production is regulated by autophagy via two different novel mechanisms, namely, regulation of the activation of NLRC4 inflammasome and IL-1β targeting for lysosomal degradation.     

Biogenic synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using olea europaea leaf extract and evaluation of their toxicity activities: An in vivo and in vitro study

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CUNPs) were synthesized using Olea europaea leaf extract as reducing and protecting agent. The formation of nanoparticles was observed through a color change from yellowish to brownish black. The CUNPs were confirmed with UV–Vis spectrophotometer, which revealed a peak absorbance at 289 nm. The synthesized CUNPs were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, and TEM. The XRD pattern revealed that CUNPs were crystalline in nature with a diameter around 20 nm. FTIR spectral analysis showed that CUNPs were capped with plant constituents. From SEM and TEM analyses, the CUNPs were generally found to be spherical in shape, and the size range was 20–50 nm. Free radical scavenging potential of CUNPs against DPPH was confirmed by its stable antioxidant effects. In addition, the toxicity of CUNPs in mice was also assessed by body weight and weights of liver, kidneys, spleen, and thymus. The immune response in mice was signaled through an obvious change in spleen and thymus index, with a decrease of ADA enzyme activity in serum, spleen, and thymus after CUNPs treatment. The CUNPs were found to exert cell growth arrest against AMJ‐13 and SKOV‐3 cancer cells in a dose‐dependent manner and induce cell death by apoptosis. Less significant cytotoxic effect was observed in normal dermal fibroblast cells. These findings suggest that CUNPs may have the potential to be anticancer agents. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:218–230, 2018     

Evaluation of Cryptosporidium parvum Genotyping Techniques

We evaluated the specificity and sensitivity of 11 previously described species differentiation and genotyping PCR protocols for detection of Cryptosporidium parasites. Genomic DNA from three species of Cryptosporidium parasites (genotype 1 and genotype 2 of C. parvum, C. muris, and C. serpentis), two Eimeria species (E. neischulzi and E. papillata), and Giardia duodenalis were used to evaluate the specificity of primers. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the genotyping primers was tested by using genomic DNA isolated from known numbers of oocysts obtained from a genotype 2 C. parvum isolate. PCR amplification was repeated at least three times with all of the primer pairs. Of the 11 protocols studied, 10 amplified C. parvum genotypes 1 and 2, and the expected fragment sizes were obtained. Our results indicate that two species-differentiating protocols are not Cryptosporidium specific, as the primers used in these protocols also amplified the DNA of Eimeria species. The sensitivity studies revealed that two nested PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) protocols based on the small-subunit rRNA and dihydrofolate reductase genes are more sensitive than single-round PCR or PCR-RFLP protocols.     

Identification of a critical motif responsible for gating of Kir2.3 channel by intracellular protons.

Protons are involved in gating Kir2.3. To identify the molecular motif in the Kir2.3 channel protein that is responsible for this process, experiments were performed using wild-type and mutated Kir2. 3 and Kir2.1. CO2 and low pHi strongly inhibited wild-type Kir2.3 but not Kir2.1 in whole cell voltage clamp and excised inside-out patches. This CO2/pH sensitivity was completely eliminated in a mutant Kir2.3 in which the N terminus was substituted with that in Kir2.1, whereas a similar replacement of its C terminus had no effect. Site-specific mutations of all titratable residues in the N terminus, however, did not change the CO2/pH sensitivity. Using several chimeras generated systematically in the N terminus, a 10-residue motif near the M1 region was identified in which only three amino acids are different between Kir2.3 and Kir2.1. Mutations of these residues, especially Thr53, dramatically reduced the pH sensitivity of Kir2.3. Introducing these residues or even a single threonine to the corresponding positions of Kir2.1 made the mutant channel pH-sensitive. Thus, a critical motif responsible for gating Kir2.3 by protons was identified in the N terminus, which contained about 10 residues centered by Thr53.     

Habitat segregation and cryptic adaptation of species of Periophthalmus (Gobioidei: Gobiidae)

A study was conducted on the habitat distribution of four sympatric species of Periophthalmus (the silver‐lined mudskipper Periophthalmus argentilineatus, the slender mudskipper Periophthalmus gracilis, the kalolo mudskipper Periophthalmus kalolo and the Malacca mudskipper Periophthalmus malaccensis) from northern Sulawesi. Molecular phylogenetic reconstructions based on one mtDNA marker (16S) were used to validate the morphological taxa, identifying five molecular clades. Periophthalmus argentilineatus includes two molecular species, which are named Periophthalmus argentilineatus clades F and K. Multivariate direct gradient analysis show that these species form three distinct ecological guilds, with the two molecular species occurring in different guilds. Periophthalmus clade F is ecologically eurytypic; Periophthalmus clade K and P. kalolo are prevalent in ecosystems isolated by strong oceanic currents and at shorter distances from the sea; P. gracilis plus P. malaccensis are prevalent in ecosystems connected by shallow coastal waters, in vegetated habitats at larger distances from the sea. This indicates for the first time that mudskipper species exhibit a range of adaptations to semiterrestrialism not only within genera, but even within morphospecies, delineating a much more complex adaptive scenario than previously assumed.     

Enzymatic pre‐treatment of microalgae cells for enhanced extraction of proteins

Crude proteins and pigments were extracted from different microalgae strains, both marine and freshwater. The effectiveness of enzymatic pre‐treatment prior to protein extraction was evaluated and compared to conventional techniques, including ultrasonication and high‐pressure water extraction. Enzymatic pre‐treatment was chosen as it could be carried out at mild shear conditions and does not subject the proteins to high temperatures, as with the ultrasonication approach. Using enzymatic pre‐treatment, the extracted proteins yields of all tested microalgae strains were approximately 0.7 mg per mg of dry cell weight. These values were comparable to those achieved using a commercial lytic kit. Ultrasonication was not very effective for proteins extraction from Chlorella sp., and the extracted proteins yields did not exceed 0.4 mg per mg of dry cell weight. For other strains, similar yields were achieved by both treatment methods. The time‐course effect of enzymatic incubation on the proteins extraction efficiency was more evident using laccase compared to lysozyme, which suggested that the former enzyme has a slower rate of cell disruption. The crude extracted proteins were fractionated using an ion exchange resin and were analyzed by the electrophoresis technique. They were further tested for their antioxidant activity, the highest of which was about 60% from Nannochloropsis sp. The total phenolic contents in the selected strains were also determined, with Chlorella sp. showing the highest content reaching 17 mg/g. Lysozyme was also found to enhance the extraction of pigments, with Chlorella sp. showing the highest pigments contents of 16.02, 4.59 and 5.22 mg/g of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total carotenoids, respectively.     

Attitude toward depression, its complications, prevention and barriers to seeking help among ethnic groups in Penang, Malaysia

This study aims to explore attitudes towards, complications of and preventive measures for depression and the barriers that result in delays in seeking help among the various ethnic groups in Penang, Malaysia. In June 2007 a questionnaire-based survey was undertaken in Penang. Face-to-face interviews were conducted, and 1855 respondents were approached to participate in the study by adopting a cluster random sampling method. A 25-item questionnaire was used to explore public attitudes towards, complications of and preventive measures for depression and delays in seeking help. A total of 1149 (61.94%) showed willingness to participate in the survey. Ethnically, 490 (42.6%) of the respondents who participated in the survey were Malay, while 413 (35.9%) were Chinese, 149 (13%) Indian and 97 (8.4%) from other ethnic minorities. The mean age of the respondents was 30 years (SD ± 11.5). In evaluating public attitudes, the majority (n = 910, 79.2%) agreed with the statement that family and friends can enhance the depression recovery process by providing more care and attention to the patient and this was found to be statistically significant (P ≤0.001). More than one-third of the respondents (n = 437, 38.0%) perceived depression as a normal medical condition and believed that it subsides automatically. The majority (n = 830, 72.2%) stated that depression results in social problems, while some felt that it can lead to raised blood pressure (n = 518, 45.1%). In terms of prevention, most of the respondents indicated that one can prevent depression by maintaining a good social life. In evaluating the barriers to seeking professional help, the majority (n = 582, 50.7%) stated that they did not believe they were at risk, with the next largest group identifying a lack of awareness regarding the signs and symptoms. However, a positive attitude was observed towards the complications and prevention of depression. Initiatives to increase mental health literacy will prove fruitful in neutralising the negative public perceptions towards the treatment of depression and barriers to seeking professional help.     

Characteristics of Biocalcium Powders from Pre-Cooked Tongol (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Thunnus tonggol</Emphasis>) and Yellowfin (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Thunnus albacores</Emphasis>) Tuna Bones

Characteristics of biocalcium powder from pre-cooked tongol tuna bone (BTG) and yellowfin tuna bone (BYF) were investigated, in comparison with their calcined bone powder named CTG and CYF, respectively. Average calcium (40.3%) and phosphorus (19.19%) contents of CTG and CYF were higher than those of BTG and BYF (Ca: 26.74%, P: 12.72%). Nevertheless, similar mole Ca/P ratio (1.62–1.63) was observed among all samples. Mean particle size of all samples was approximately 14 μm. Both CTG and CYF powders exhibited the interconnected granular structure. BTG had higher b*- value than BYF (p < 0.05). Generally, CTG and CYF had lower b*-values with slightly higher L*-values than both BTG and BYF (p < 0.05). X-ray diffraction results indicated the presence of hydroxyapatite in all samples, in which their crystallinities were increased from 54% to 90% after calcination. Hydroxyproline and protein were detected in both biocalcium powders, but were not detectable in calcined bone powders. The abundance of volatile compounds was noticeably lower in BYF, compared to BTG. Negligible volatiles were detected in both calcined bone powders. Based on a simulated gastrointestinal tract study, both BTG and BYF had higher soluble calcium content than calcium carbonate and their corresponding calcined bone powders, indicating the higher availability for absorption.