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Myriophyllum, among the most species‐rich genera of aquatic angiosperms with ca. 68 species, is an extensively distributed hydrophyte lineage in the cosmopolitan family Haloragaceae. The chloroplast (cp) genome is useful in the study of genetic evolution, phylogenetic analysis, and molecular dating of controversial taxa. Here, we sequenced and assembled the whole chloroplast genome of Myriophyllum spicatum L. and compared it to other species in the order Saxifragales. The complete chloroplast genome sequence of M. spicatum is 158,858 bp long and displays a quadripartite structure with two inverted repeats (IR) separating the large single copy (LSC) region from the small single copy (SSC) region. Based on sequence identification and the phylogenetic analysis, a 4‐kb phylogenetically informative inversion between trnE‐trnC in Myriophyllum was determined, and we have placed this inversion on a lineage specific to Myriophyllum and its close relatives. The divergence time estimation suggested that the trnE‐trnC inversion possibly occurred between the upper Cretaceous (72.54 MYA) and middle Eocene (47.28 MYA) before the divergence of Myriophyllum from its most recent common ancestor. The unique 4‐kb inversion might be caused by an occurrence of nonrandom recombination associated with climate changes around the K‐Pg boundary, making it interesting for future evolutionary investigations., We sequenced the entire chloroplast genome of Myriophyllum spicatum, a species in Saxifragales. The chloroplast genome of M. spicatum is 158,858 bp long and consists of a quadripartite structure with two inverted repeats separating the large and small single copy regions. In addition, it contains a 4‐kb phylogenetically informative inversion between trnE‐trnC that is unique to at least two genera in Haloragaceae. This inversion may be useful as a barcode to identify species in this genus, many of which are invasive and difficult to identify using morphological characteristics.

Medicinal plant species contain vast and unexploited riches of chemical substances with high medical potential making these plant species valuable as biomedicine sources. Cassia fistula L is an important medicinal plant used in many traditional medicinal systems including Ayurveda and Chinese Traditional Medicine. It is a deciduous medium sized tree with elongated and rod-shaped fruits having pulp and have bright yellow flowers, earning the name ‘Yellow Shower’. The present review provides a version of updated information on its botanical description and pharmacological properties including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antitumor, hepatoprotective among other activities. Pharmacological reviews on medicinal plants will provide valuable information; thus, Cassia fistula L can provide important discoveries of valuable bioactive natural products facilitating in developing novel pharmaceuticals products.

Heat shock factor (HSF) genes are essential in some of the basic developmental pathways in plants. Despite extensive studies on the structure, functional diversification, and evolution of HSF genes, their divergence history and gene duplication pattern remain unknown. To further illustrate the probable divergence patterns in these subfamilies, we analyzed the evolutionary history of HSF genes using phylogenetic reconstruction and genomic syntenic analyses, taking advantage of the increased sampling of genomic data from pteridophytes, gymnosperms and basal angiosperms. We identified a novel clade that includes HSFA2, HSFA6, HSFA7, and HSFA9 with a complex relationship, which is very likely due to orthologous or paralogous genes retained after frequent gene duplication events. We hypothesized that HSFA9 derives from HSFA2 through gene duplication in eudicots at the ancestral state, and then expanded in a lineage-specific way. Our findings indicate that HSFB3 and HSFB5 emerged before the divergence of ancestral angiosperms, but were lost in the most recent common ancestors of monocots. We also presumed that HSFC2 derives from HSFC1 in ancestral monocots. This work proposes that during the radiation of flowering plants, an era during which there was a differentiation of angiosperms, the size of the HSF gene family was also being adjusted with considerable sub- or neo-functionalization. The independent evolution of HSFs in eudicots and monocots, including lineage-specific gene duplication, gave rise to a new gene in ancestral eudicots and monocots, and lineage-specific gene loss in ancestral monocots. Our analyses provide essential insights for studying the evolutionary history of this multigene family.

BackgroundHSF (Heat shock factor) genes are essential in the irreplaceable functions in some of the basic developmental pathways in plants. Despite the extensive studies on the structure, function diversification, and evolution of HSF, their divergent history and gene duplication pattern remain unsolved. To further illustrate the probable divergent patterns in these subfamilies, we visited the evolutionary history of the HSF via phylogenetic reconstruction and genomic syntenic analyses by taking advantage of the increased sampling of genomic data for pteridophyta, gymnosperms and basal angiosperms. ResultsWe identified a novel clade including HSFA2, HSFA6, HSFA7, HSFA9 with complex relationship, very likely due to orthologous or paralogous genes retained after frequent gene duplication events. We suggested that HSFA9 was derived from HSFA2 through gene duplication in eudicots at ancestral state, and then expanded in a lineage-specific way. Our findings indicated that HSFB3 and HSFB5 emerged before the divergence of ancestral angiosperms, but were lost in common ancestors of monocots. We also presumed that HSFC2 was derived from HSFC1 in ancestral monocots. ConclusionThis work proposes that in the era of early differentiation of angiosperms during the radiation of flowering plants, the member size of HSF gene family was also being adjusted, accompanied with considerable sub- or neo-functionalization. The independent evolution of HSFs in eudicots and monocots, including lineage-specific gene duplication gave rise to a new gene in ancestral eudicots and monocots, and lineage-specific gene loss in ancestral monocots. Our analyses provide essential insights for studying evolution history of multigene family.

Background In Kenya, typhoid fever and invasive non-typhoidal salmonellosis present a huge burden of disease, especially in poor-resource settings where clean water supply and sanitation conditions are inadequate. The epidemiology of both diseases is poorly understood in terms of severity and risk factors. The aim of the study was to determine the disease burden and spatial distribution of salmonellosis, as well as socioeconomic and environmental risk factors for these infections, in a large informal settlement near the city of Nairobi, from 2013 to 2017. Methods Initially, a house-to-house baseline census of 150,000 population in Mukuru informal settlement was carried out and relevant socioeconomic, demographic, and healthcare utilization information was collected using structured questionnaires. Salmonella bacteria were cultured from the blood and faeces of children Salmonella serotypes and risk factors were conducted using Pearson Chi-Square (χ2) test. Results A total of 16,236 children were recruited into the study. The prevalence of bloodstream infections by Non-Typhoidal Salmonella (NTS), consisting of Salmonella Typhimurium/ Enteriditis, was 1.3%; Salmonella Typhi was 1.4%, and this was highest among children Salmonella Typhimurium/ Enteriditis was not significantly associated with rearing any domestic animals. Rearing chicken was significantly associated with high prevalence of S. Typhi (2.1%; p = 0.011). The proportion of children infected with Salmonella Typhimurium/ Enteriditis was significantly higher in households that used water pots as water storage containers compared to using water directly from the tap (0.6%). Use of pit latrines and open defecation were significant risk factors for S. Typhi infection (1.6%; p = 0.048). The proportion of Salmonella Typhimurium/ Enteriditis among children eating street food 4 or more times per week was higher compared to 1 to 2 times/week on average (1.1%; p = 0.032). Conclusion Typhoidal and NTS are important causes of illness in children in Mukuru informal settlement, especially among children less than 16 years of age. Improving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) including boiling water, breastfeeding, hand washing practices, and avoiding animal contact in domestic settings could contribute to reducing the risk of transmission of Salmonella disease from contaminated environments.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are among the most chronic viral infections worldwide. Co-infections with HBV and HCV have become increasingly common among people living with HIV, resulting in a growing public health concern. The primary aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV and their associated factors among HIV-1-infected patients attending the Ngong Sub-County Hospital comprehensive care clinic. Methods: After providing consent, a 5 mL blood sample was collected from each study participant visiting the comprehensive care clinic. The blood was screened for hepatitis B surface antigen and HCV antibodies using chemiluminescence immunoassay test according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The CD4 T-cell counts were determined using FACSCalibre machine, while HIV-1 viral load was determined using the Abbott m2000rt System according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic information and data on factors associated with HBV and HCV co-infections. Results: One hundred and ninety HIV-1-infected patients participated in this study: 150 (78.9%) women and 40 (21.1%) men. In the overall study population, the prevalence of HBV co-infection was 5.8% (95% CI, 2.6%–8.9%) and of HCV co-infection was 4.2% (95% CI, 1.6%–7.4%). However, no individual was co-infected with all 3 viruses. HCV was associated with antiretroviral treatment (OR 0.2; 95% CI, 0.0–0.8; P=.036), while HBV showed a significant association with condom usage (OR 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1–0.9; P=.039) and median viral load. Conclusions: A high prevalence of HIV/HBV and HIV/HCV co-infection was reported in this study, suggesting that HIV-infected patients should be routinely screened for HBV and HCV infections, and preventive and control measures should be put in place that include public education on HBV and HCV infections.