Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences最新文献

<b>Background and Objective:</b> The cultivation of <i>Kappaphycus alvarezii</i>, the most economically valuable rhodophyte seaweed species, began in Myanmar in 2004, primarily on islands in the Myeik Archipelago. Since <i>K. alvarezii</i> is not native to Myanmar, it was initially imported from the Philippines and Indonesia. This study aimed to develop a tissue culture procedure for the generation of <i>K. alvarezii</i> plantlets to ensure a continuous supply of seaweed for commercial farming in the coastal waters of Myanmar. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Specimens of <i>K. alvarezii</i>, two-month-old, were procured in the Myeik Archipelago, Myanmar. After being cleared epiphytes and clinging materials, the specimens were placed in glass aquarium tanks with circulating seawater. Axenic explant culture was established using 1% povidone-iodine for 1 min and a 1% antibiotic mixture for 24 hrs. Plant growth regulators, 6-benzyl aminopurine (BAP) and indole 3 acetic acid (IAA) were supplemented in solid Provasoli's enriched seawater (PES) media to induce callus formation and somatic embryogenesis. <b>Results:</b> The optimal culture conditions were incubation at 22-25°C under cool-white fluorescent-light (15-20 μmol photons/m²/sec) with a 12:12 hrs light and dark cycle. Water quality during the culturing process was maintained at a pH of 8 and salinity of 30 PSU. The tissue-cultured <i>K. alvarezii</i> plantlets exhibited an average daily growth rate of 9.70±0.25% over the growth period. <b>Conclusion:</b> Therefore, plantlet regeneration from <i>K. alvarezii</i> callus cultures can be utilized as seedlings for revenue-generating cultivation along the Myanmar coastline.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> The clover plant (alfalfa) is considered the primary fiber source in the rabbit diet in Mediterranean Sea countries like Egypt, so researchers are always trying to find alternatives and aromatic and medicinal plant remnants could be one of them. So, this study was designed to determine the effects of some aromatic and medicinal plant remnants on New Zealand white rabbits' blood hematological and biochemical aspects. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> A total of 108 weaned white New Zealand rabbits at five weeks of age were used to consider the effect of using remnants of mint, fennel, basil and anise with or without probiotics to replace 50% from alfalfa hay in rabbits' diets. Four remnants were obtained after etheric oil distillation and were incorporated in rabbit diets at level 17.5% without probiotics and with probiotics (replacement 50% of alfalfa hay). Rabbits were randomly assigned into nine experimental groups; the experimental period lasted eight weeks. Rabbit blood hematological and blood biochemical were analyzed. <b>Results:</b> The highest values of RBC 6.03 μL, HCT 37.13%, WBC 12.70 μL and lymph percentage were found in the basil+probiotics group. In contrast, the highest value of hemoglobin (HGB 10,50 g/dL), MCV 64.13 fl, MCH 23.27pg, MCHC 36.40 g/dL, PLT 463 μL, urea 50.33 mg/dL and creatinine 1.30 mg/dL were found in anise+probiotic group. In contrast, RDW-CV 33.17%, Mid 13.17 μL, granulocytes (Gran 7.13 μL) and PDW 16.73 in the mint group. Furthermore, RDW-SD (34.40 fl) and procalcitonin (PCT 0.35%) were found in the control group and the highest values ALT 142 IU/L and AST 77.33 IU/L were found in the fennel group. The highest albumin value (3.10 g/dL) was found in the anise group and the highest total protein (TP 5.23 g/dL) was found in the mint+probiotic group. <b>Conclusion:</b> The results proved that using these medicinal plant remnants and probiotics as substitutes for half the amount of alfalfa used in the diet of New Zealand white rabbits did not have a negative effect and improved their health condition.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Despite its widespread use in cardiology, patient's response to clopidogrel exhibits significant interindividual variability, often leading to persistent thromboembolic complications. The hepatic Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) superfamily plays a pivotal role in clopidogrel's conversion to its active form and CYP2C19 polymorphisms significantly contribute to this variability. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and impact of the CYP2C19 rs4986893 polymorphism on clopidogrel treatment response. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Seventy-three patients with Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) undergoing clopidogrel antiplatelet therapy for a minimum of six months were recruited from Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Yalgado Ouédraogo (CHU-YO). Sociodemographic data were collected and DNA was extracted from blood samples for CYP2C19 rs4986893 genotyping using PCR-RFLP. <b>Results:</b> The patient's mean age was 62.56±13.45 years, ranging from 23 to 94 years, with a male-to-female sex ratio of 1.28. Most patients came from the informal sector, primarily of Mossi ethnicity and residing in Ouagadougou. Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and hypertension were the predominant reasons for consultation, with clopidogrel showing efficacy in 97.3% of cases. While 72.6% had no family history of CVD, hypertension was prevalent among those with familial cardiovascular conditions. Genetic analysis revealed a 65.8% frequency of heterozygotes CYP2C19*1/*3, with no mutant homozygotes CYP2C19*3/*3 detected. The results of the present study underscore a high prevalence of heterozygotes CYP2C19*1/*3 among patients with cardiovascular diseases. <b>Conclusion:</b> This intermediate metabolic phenotype, along with a good response to clopidogrel, suggests that CYP2C19*1/*3 genotype promotes a favourable response to clopidogrel therapy.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is proposed to have a potential regenerative effect on the ovaries following premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), however, the main impact on the process of follicle development (folliculogenesis) remains unclear. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) or network interaction analysis enables us to predict the targets of PRP's biomolecules using biological data through public databases and platforms. Therefore, this method is more efficient in time and cost than traditional laboratory procedures. The purpose of this study was to predict the targets of PRP's biomolecules on folliculogenesis following POI using PPI analysis and to clarify if those predictive targets integrate into PI3K/Akt signaling pathway which is an important pathway in folliculogenesis. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Mining data targets of POI, PRP and folliculogenesis was done by GeneCards. Only genes with "protein-coding" category were analyzed further. Network analysis was performed using Cytoscape and STRING. Finally, STRING, Enricher and ShinyGO platforms were conducted to analyze gene ontology, including biological processes, molecular function and cellular components, as well as pathways. <b>Results:</b> Network analysis with Cytoscape and STRING discovered 107 gene hubs for POI, PRP and folliculogenesis. Analysis of KEGG pathway using STRING, Enricher and ShinyGO identified 43 genes integrated into PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. From the KEGG pathway, PI3K and Akt were revealed as two main targets following PRP treatment for POI patients. <b>Conclusion:</b> Biomolecules in PRP may recover ovarian follicle development following POI through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the primary aetiology of vaginal discharge causing significant public health consequences. The study aims to detect the frequency of bacterial vaginosis and to assess the effectiveness of the Amsel's criteria and Nugent's score system as diagnostic tests for BV. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> A total of 135 high vaginal swab samples were obtained and analyzed microbiologically to detect the presence of Amsel clinical criteria and to determine the Nugent's score using gram staining. The microbiological culture, antimicrobial susceptibility test and bacterial biofilm generation were conducted using standardized laboratory conditions. The study data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 and Microsoft Excel. The Chi-square test was used to ascertain any significant differences with a p-value of less than 0.05. <b>Results:</b> Out of 135 HVS, 60 (44.4 %) specimens revealed bacterial vaginosis and 30 (22.2%) represent <i>Candida albicans</i> vaginitis. In comparing Amsel's criteria with Nugent's score, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 94.7, 92.3, 90 and 96%, respectively. Also, 26 (50%) of the study isolates were produced biofilm strongly. Further, <i>Gardnerella vaginalis</i> was the study isolate that produced biofilm strongly (66.6%) followed by <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> (57.1%). <b>Conclusion:</b> The study highlights the significance of Amsel's clinical criteria and the Nugent's score system as diagnostic tests for bacterial vaginosis in outpatient settings. Additionally, there is an association between recurrent bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis. Moreover, addressing vaginal disorders caused by single-species or multi-species biofilms create the researcher to be focused on studying multi-species biofilms.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Peroxidase (POD) is the most widely used enzyme in the manufacture of diagnostic kits, biosensors, immunohistochemistry and different industrial sectors. In this study, the POD was extracted from some local vegetables in Thailand; water mimosa. The POD was biochemically purified and characterized from water mimosa. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The comparison of the peroxidase enzyme activity from water mimosa using Ion exchange chromatography was analyzed statistically using the Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA non-parametric test. Crude extracted from water mimosa was purified by ion exchange chromatography by two techniques (DEAE-Sepharose chromatographic step and CM-Sepharose chromatographic). <b>Results:</b> The crude enzyme from water mimosa exhibited the highest peroxidase activity at 1,7458.5 U/mL. After purification, the peroxidase enzyme in the DEAE-Sepharose column showed a 1.61-fold increase in purity at a NaCl concentration of 0.0 M in 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer, pH 7.2, with a remaining yield of 46.15%. However, after DEAE-Sepharose and CM-Sepharose columns, the purity increased by 1.64-fold at a NaCl concentration of 0.0 M in 20 mM sodium acetate, pH 5.5, but the remaining yield was only 7.45%. The molecular weight of the POD enzyme was 32.3+2 kDa (n = 5) by Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The enzyme activity of POD showed approximately 3,500 U/mL at pH 6.8 and the optimum temperature was 37°C. From these studies, peroxidase activities in water mimosa demonstrated a "high total activity". <b>Conclusion:</b> These results suggested that POD from water mimosa could replace horseradish peroxidase (HRP), the most used peroxidase, which is very valuable to reduce the costs of biosensors or diagnostic kit applications.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> <i>Aedes</i> mosquito is a competent vector of arboviruses, mainly dengue, chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever. The high incidence of arboviral infections among travelers indicated the vulnerability of tourist attractions and public places visitors to arboviral infections. This study aimed to determine the presence and population density of <i>Aedes</i> mosquitoes at the places, as well as the susceptibility to temephos larvicide. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> A total of 17 tourist attractions and public places in four districts/cities of Central Java Province were selected as study sites and 25-40 ovitraps were installed in each location for three days. The coordinates, altitude, vegetation density, shade, wind speed, air temperature and humidity were recorded. Ovistrips and water of each ovitrap were observed in the laboratory to determine the ovitrap index (OI) and egg density index (EDI), mosquito species and their susceptibility to temephos. <b>Results:</b> A total of 12,231 eggs were obtained with a range, OI and EDI of 0-1,024, 42% and 31.93 eggs/trap, respectively. Vegetation density, shade and wind speed were significantly associated with the presence of <i>Aedes </i>eggs in the ovitraps (p<0.05), while altitude, temperature and air humidity were correlated with the average of <i>Aedes</i> eggs per ovitrap. <b>Conclusion:</b> Although <i>Aedes</i> larvae in all study sites were susceptible to temephos 0.02 mg/L the results indicated the vulnerability of visitors to <i>Aedes</i>-borne diseases. Further investigation of arbovirus infections in <i>Aedes</i> mosquitoes at tourist attractions and public places is necessary conducted to evaluate the potential and risk of pathogen transmission to visitors.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> The presence of Asian small-clawed otters (<i>Aonyx cinereus</i>) in West Sumatra has been reported from ecological data in the form of footprints and feces, while its genetic information has not been reported yet. This genetic information needs to be reported along with the determination of <i>A. cinereus</i> as a vulnerable species and is experiencing population decline by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This study aimed to determine the phylogenetic relationship of <i>A. cinereus</i> found in West Sumatra with other regions. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The samples used were <i>A. cinereus</i> stool collected from several wetland locations in West Sumatra. <i>Aonyx cinereus</i> DNA was extracted from stool samples following the QIAamp Fast DNA Stool Mini Kit protocol (Qiagen). Amplification was performed using the CO1 gene. The IQTree was used to provide phylogenetic information on <i>A. cinereus</i> and MEGA 7 was used to determine the uncorrected genetic distance of <i>A. cinereus</i>. <b>Results:</b> <i>Aonyx cinereus</i> clustered to form three sub-clusters namely <i>A. cinereus</i> Sundaland, Laos lineage and unknown lineage. <i>Aonyx cinereus</i> Sundaland consists of <i>A. cinereus</i> West Sumatra and <i>A. cinereus</i> Sarawak, Malaysia which are closely related with a genetic distance of 0.68%. Moreover, compared to <i>A. cinereus</i> from unknown lineage (including Captive Copenhagen Zoo) and Laos lineage, <i>A. cinereus</i> of West Sumatra had a genetic distance of 0.68-1.20 and 4.18%, respectively. <b>Conclusion:</b> Wetland conversion and the role of humans have influenced the obstacle to connectivity among populations that cause genetic variation.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> The role of sediment in water bodies is significant because sediment can affect water quality and benthic organisms. This study investigated sediment's effect on the <i>Macrobrachium nipponense</i> population in the Anzali Lagoon. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The samples were taken at three different sites of Anzali Lagoon in 2015. All the prawns cached by traps and sediment samples were taken exactly next to the traps. All samples were transported to the laboratory for analysis. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was used to analyze the total catch for prawns across the sediment gradients measured. <b>Results:</b> It showed clear separation in all sites. Site 2 is more affected by clay; in Site 2, the number and the weight of <i>M. nipponense</i> were lower than in the other sites. In Sites 1 and 3, fine sand and medium sand were more affected, respectively. The results showed a relationship between the prawn population and sediment in the Anzali Lagoon. <b>Conclusion:</b> In some parts of the Anzali Lagoon, the quality and quantity of sediments were different, which directly affected the population of <i>M. nipponense</i>. Furthermore, because some parts of the lagoon are in good condition according to sediments and water quality, the Anzali Lagoon has a good potential for growing and living <i>M. nipponense</i>.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> The existence of intensive shrimp aquaculture faces serious challenges in the form of a decrease in pond water quality due to overfeeding. Efforts are needed to improve pond water quality by utilizing proteolytic bacterial isolates to break down suspended or accumulated feed on the pond bottom. The research aims to find proteolytic bacterial isolates from pond sediments and the digestive tract of shrimp (<i>Litopenaeus vannamei</i>). <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The materials needed are pond sediment samples, shrimp digestive tract, seawater complete agar (SWCA) medium and skim milk agar medium (SMA). The study used survey methods to determine sampling locations and continued with experimental methods in the laboratory. Nine isolates were obtained from pond sediments and two bacterial isolates were from the shrimp digestive tract. <b>Results:</b> The proteolytic potency test showed that two isolates from pond sediments and one isolate from the digestive tract of shrimp were positive for proteolytic. The largest proteolytic index value reached 6.357. Molecular identification by analyzing the <i>16S rRNA</i> gene sequence shows that PC23 isolate is closely related to the bacterium <i>Exiguobacterium indicum </i>strain KR6 with percent identity 99.44-99.58% and PU32 isolate with <i>Bacillus cereus</i> strain 125 with percent identity 100%. <b>Conclusion:</b> The bacteria obtained can be used as probiotic candidates for the future are <i>Exiguobacterium indicum</i> strain KR6 and <i>Bacillus cereus</i> strain 125.