Scientifica最新文献

Bioinformatics tools have been employed for the direct development of gene-based simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Through the analysis of 28,056 Mesembryanthemum expressed sequence tag (EST) sequences, a total of 5,851 ESTs containing SSRs were identified, amounting to approximately 17.07 Mb. Among these, 938 EST sequences harbored more than one SSR marker, and 788 EST-SSR sequences were found in compound form. The most prevalent types of SSR motifs were mononucleotide repeats (MNRs), accounting for 44%, followed by di-nucleotide repeats (DNRs) at 37%, and trinucleotide repeats (TNRs) at 16%. Notably, TNR or longer SSR motifs primarily consisted of shorter repeat lengths, with only 51 motifs containing 10 or more repeats. The BLASTX analysis successfully assigned functions to 4,623 (79%) of the EST sequences. Among the developed primer sets, 21 primers amplified a total of 65 alleles, with primer PMA79 EST-SSR exhibiting the maximum of six alleles. The polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged from 0 to 0.76, with a mean of 0.47. The marker index (MI) and discriminating power (D) values reached 0.66 (primer PMA63) and 0.95 (primer PMA20), respectively. Utilizing the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA), a dendrogram was constructed, successfully segregating the 24 Mesembryanthemum genotypes into three distinct clusters, with a similarity coefficient ranging from 0.96 to 0.38. In this study, we have developed a total of 83 EST-SSR primer pairs specific to the Mesembryanthemum genus. These newly developed EST-SSRs will serve as valuable tools for researchers, particularly molecular breeders, enabling gene-based identification and trait selection through marker-assisted breeding approaches.

The pharmaceutical sector has made considerable strides recently, emphasizing improving drug delivery methods to increase the bioavailability of various drugs. When used as a medication delivery method, nanoemulsions have multiple benefits. Their small droplet size, which is generally between 20 and 200 nanometers, creates a significant interfacial area for drug dissolution, improving the solubility and bioavailability of drugs that are weakly water-soluble. Additionally, nanoemulsions are a flexible platform for drug administration across various therapeutic areas since they can encapsulate hydrophilic and hydrophobic medicines. Nanoemulsion can be formulated in multiple dosage forms, for example, gels, creams, foams, aerosols, and sprays by using low-cost standard operative processes and also be taken orally, topically, topically, intravenously, intrapulmonary, intranasally, and intraocularly. The article explores nanoemulsion formulation and production methods, emphasizing the role of surfactants and cosurfactants in creating stable formulations. In order to customize nanoemulsions to particular medication delivery requirements, the choice of components and production techniques is crucial in assuring the stability and efficacy of the finished product. Nanoemulsions are a cutting-edge technology with a lot of potential for improving medication bioavailability in a variety of therapeutic contexts. They are a useful tool in the creation of innovative pharmaceutical formulations due to their capacity to enhance drug solubility, stability, and delivery. Nanoemulsions are positioned to play a crucial role in boosting medication delivery and enhancing patient outcomes as this field of study continues to advance.

Urban trees are extremely significant and provide numerous advantages for both the environment and people. In order to provide a healthy and sustainable environment, green spaces have long been seen as a crucial component of contemporary cities. Nevertheless, as urbanization and population growth have accelerated, environmental challenges have become a major worldwide issue. This study mainly focuses on the assessment of hazardous trees along the Bagmati river corridor and documents major tree species for urban forestry. The study was conducted in ward number 08 of Kathmandu metropolitan city. Total enumeration was carried out by recording information on trees through direct observation of the whole site. The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) tree hazard evaluation method was used as a tree risk assessment tool. A total of 74 trees were recorded from the study site. Grevillea robusta, Cinnamomum camphora, Ficus bengalensis, F. religiosa, and so on were the major species planted along the Bagmati corridor. The trees were categorized in varying degrees of hazard. Forty-seven trees were less hazardous, 24 were semihazardous, and 3 were hazardous with hazard rates of 2.91, 6.04, and 9, respectively. Jasminum nudiflorum was the only hazardous species recorded followed by semihazardous species such as Morus alba and F. religiosa among other species, and Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Citrus limon, Psidium guajava, Alnus nepalensis, and so on were least hazardous tree species. The hazardous tree in urban areas increases the risk to people and public as well as private properties. There is a need for the removal of such hazardous trees and planting the right species at the right time. Moreover, regular inspection and a clear policy for urban trees are needed.

Histone deacetylation is a key biochemical event associated with transcriptional regulation. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) mediate the deacetylation of histones. Fatty acids have been reported to function as histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi). The present instigation reports the HDAC inhibitory activity of egg yolks and egg yolk-derived fat of country and farm chicken for the first time. Egg yolks and fatty acids derived from both country (CCEF) and farm chicken (FCEF) demonstrated significant HDAC enzyme activity inhibition. Furthermore, egg yolks, CCEF, and FCEF exhibited DPPH free radical scavenging effects. The analysis of fatty acid profiles revealed varying degrees of saturated, mono-, and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the egg yolks. Palmitic acid (C16 : 0) was found to be the most abundant saturated fatty acid in both CCEF and FCEF. Among the monounsaturated fatty acids, oleic acid (C18 : 1) was the most abundant in both CCEF and FCEF. In terms of polyunsaturated fatty acids, a significant difference was observed in the content of linoleic acid (C18 : 2), an omega-6 fatty acid, and docosahexaenoic acid (C22 : 6), an omega-3 fatty acid, between CCEF and FCEF. These findings present exciting prospects for the development of histone deacetylase inhibitors based on egg yolk fat.

Sitophilus oryzae is an insect pest known for its destructive impact on rice crops. Chemical pesticides continue to be employed for the prevention of Sitophilus oryzae. The aforementioned phenomenon exerts adverse effects, notably in the form of human intoxication. Hence, one alternate approach to address the issue involves utilizing a preparation derived from the leaves of the jackfruit tree. The leaves of the jackfruit tree are known to possess many bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, saponins, and tannins, which have insecticidal properties. Hence, the objectives of this study are to investigate the impact of jackfruit leaf extract on the mortality rate of rice insects and to evaluate the quality of rice. The study was carried out in the Biology Laboratory of the Faculty of Education and Teacher Training at the Tadulako University. The study employed a research strategy known as a completely randomized design (CRD), which included five treatments. Each treatment was repeated in four biological and ten technical replicates. The treatments were as follows: treatment A served as the control and involved the use of Bestrin forte, treatment B involved the application of a 10% jackfruit leaf extract, treatment C involved the application of a 20% jackfruit leaf extract, treatment D involved the application of a 30% jackfruit leaf extract, and treatment E involved the application of a 40% jackfruit leaf extract. Every treatment was administered through spraying to all ten insects and that was repeated four times. The data collected were subjected to analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and supported by the SPSS-25 software. The findings of the study indicated that the application of jackfruit leaf extract (Artocarpus heterophyllus) at specific time intervals (20th, 40th, and 60th minutes) resulted in a noteworthy impact on the death rate of rice beetles. Furthermore, the extracts successfully preserved the olfactory attributes of the rice, ensuring its quality. Nevertheless, their ability to uphold the standard of the rice in relation to its color and flavor was inadequate. The efficacy of the jackfruit leaf extract in eradicating rice bugs was found to be highest when applied at a concentration of 40%.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacterium that causes metal deterioration by forming biofilms on metal surfaces. This work was carried out to analyze the antibacterial activity and the phenolic and flavonoid contents of the Moringa oleifera leaf extract against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. M. oleifera leaves were extracted in a methanol solution at different concentrations. The M. oleifera leaf extract yields were 12.84%, 18.96%, and 19.64% for the 100%, 75%, and 50% methanol ratios, respectively. Extracts of M. oleifera leaves had a minimum inhibiting concentration (MIC) of approximately 6144 μg/mL against P. aeruginosa for a ratio of 100% methanol. In addition, no antibacterial activity was found for the 75% and 50% methanol ratios. The total phenolic levels were 16.26%, 12.73%, and 12.33% for the 100%, 75%, and 50% methanol solvent ratios, respectively. The total amounts of flavonoids were 23.32%, 3.40%, and 0.64% for the 100%, 75%, and 50% methanol solvents, respectively. The chemical structure of M. oleifera consists of kaemferol-3-O-rutinoside, quercimeritrin, kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, stearidonic acid, trichosanic acid, pyrophaeophorbide A, and stigmastan-3,6-dione. The concentration of the solvent is essential in the extraction of plant constituents. Different concentrations indicate differences in antibacterial activity, phenolic and flavonoid contents, and chemical structure.

Background. Dendrobium genus has been used in traditional medicine to treat various illnesses. The study aims at examining the phytochemical, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and thrombolytic properties of the leaf, stem, and root of Dendrobium lindleyi Steud, and the relationship between phytochemicals and bioactivities is determined. Results. The qualitative screening found a variety of bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, coumarins, cardiac glycosides, glycosides, flavonoids, proteins, phenols, quinines, resins, steroids, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids, in varying amounts. The quantitative screening showed the highest concentration of alkaloids in the leaves (172.15 ± 1.22 mg/g), phenols in the root (203.55 ± 0.75 mg/g), flavonoids in the root (24.35 ± 0.42 mg/g), tannins in the leaves (105.06 ± 0.55 mg/g), and proteins in the root (194.12 ± 0.65 µg/ml). The root extract showed the highest antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 58.24 µg/mL), the stem extract had the most increased thrombolytic activity (IC₅₀ = 242.74 µg/mL), and the leaf extract had the most potent anti-inflammatory activity (IC₅₀ = 61.79 µg/mL). Statistical analysis revealed a significant positive relationship (p = 0.05) between alkaloids (r = 0.96) and tannins (r = 0.9) with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and thrombolytic properties. Conclusion. The bioactivities of D. lindleyi, including antioxidant (root), thrombolytic (stem), and anti-inflammatory (leaf) activities, are linked to the phytochemicals detected in the screening.

Soft rot disease affects a range of crops in the field and also during transit and storage, resulting in significant yield losses and negative economic impacts. This study evaluated the in vitro antibacterial activities and mode of action of Piper betle extracts against the soft rot disease-causing bacteria, Erwinia caratovora subsp. caratovora (ECC). Dried leaves of P. betle were extracted with water, ethanol, and hexane solvents and evaluated for their antibacterial activity. The results showed the highest antibacterial activity against ECC in the ethanol extract, followed by hexane and water extracts with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) 1.562, 6.25, and more than 12.50 mg/mL, respectively. The time-kill assay indicated a bactericidal mode of action. ECC growth was destroyed within 6 and 8 hours after treatment with the ethanol extract at 4-fold MIC and 2-fold MIC, respectively. The ethanol extract of P. betle showed promising activity against ECC, with the potential for further development as a novel alternative treatment to control phytobacteria.

Dental caries, a predominant childhood and adolescence affliction, has numerous factors implicated in its pathogenesis. Electronic cigarettes (ECs) have recently gained popularity among the younger population. Various factors, such as the EC liquid composition and aerosols, are associated with the development of dental caries. This review explains numerous EC-related factors which may lead to dental caries. An electronic search was conducted in Medline (Pubmed), Scopus, and Embase databases to evaluate the original research investigating the role of ECs in developing dental caries. About 12 included studies in the review indicated that factors such as the composition of e-liquids and aerosols are significant in the progression of dental caries. Specifically, cariogenic sugars such as sucrose, fructose, glucose, aldehydes, and flavors such as menthol, cinnamon, and strawberry in the e-liquids contribute to dental caries. They are toxic to oral commensals such as Streptococcus gordonii, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus intermedius, and Streptococcus oralis and promote the proliferation of cariogenic pathogens such as Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) which causes dental caries. However, further validation of the effects of ECs on the development of dental caries is warranted through clinical trials.

The study was conducted in a historian Wonjeta St Michael Church Forest, believed to be constructed in 11^th century in Northwestern Ethiopia. The composition, structure, and management of this forest is not documented. Fifty plots of 20 m × 20 m (400 m²) were laid along five-line transect for vegetation data collection. In addition, 5 m × 5 m subplots were laid within the main plot to sample seedlings and saplings. All plots were laid at a distance of 50 m along the transect lines. The diversity and population structure of woody individuals of trees and shrubs with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 2.5 cm and height ≥2 m were measured, and DBH <2.5 cm and height <2 m were counted as seedlings and saplings. All trees and shrubs recorded in the 50 plots were used for vegetation structure analysis. A total of 65 woody plant species in 53 genera and 33 families were recorded. Out of the total number of species, three were found to be endemic to Ethiopia. The family Fabaceae had the highest number of species, followed by Moraceae, and then Euphorbiaceae with 14, 6, and 4 species, respectively. The results of Shannon Wiener diversity and evenness indices of woody species were 2.8 and 0.68, respectively. Woody species densities for mature individuals were 2,202.5 stems ha^-1, seedling 2419.2 stems ha^-1, and sapling 1737.6 stems ha^-1. Priority for conservation should be given using population structure, important value index, and regeneration status as criteria. Results of the structural analysis revealed that the Forest is highly dominated by small-sized trees and shrubs indicating that it is in the stage of secondary development and there are species that require urgent conservation measures.