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Calcaridorylaimus heynsi n. sp. is the second species of the genus to be described by both morphological and molecular techniques. Morphologically, it can be distinguished from all known species of Calcaridorylaimus by a combination of the following characters: presence of advulval ornamentations, short body (0.90-1.33 mm), slightly anteriorly positioned vulva (V = 47.6 (45.8-49.8)), short odontostyle in females and males (13.1 (11.5-14.5) μm and 13.5 (12.0-18.0) μm, respectively), number of supplements (2 + 9-11), short spicules when measured along the median line (40.4 (38-42) μm) and pore-like vulval opening. It is closest to C. sirgeli, especially in the presence of advulval ornamentations and the pore-like vulva. Phylogenetic analysis based on partial D2-D3 segment of 28S rDNA sequences showed that C. heynsi n. sp. is in a well-supported sister relation with Mesodorylaimus sp. in a clade with C. cignatus and Mesodorylaimus spp. In the Bayesian tree, using partial sequences 18S rDNA, M. japonicus was the closest taxon to the new species

Two isolates of Steinernema bertusi n. sp. were separately recovered from Tito, Mpumalanga, and Port Edward, Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa. In this paper, we describe the isolates as a new entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species using molecular and morphological methodologies. The new species belongs to the cameroonense-clade, which consists of nematodes only isolated from the African continent. Steinernema bertusi n. sp. is characterised by having the longest infective juvenile (IJ) for this clade at 716 (628-814) μm. The IJ is further characterised by a body diam. of 32 (28-36) μm and the pattern for the arrangement of the lateral ridges from head to tail is 2, 4, 5, 4, 2. The first-generation male spicule and gubernaculum length is 82 (72-88) μm and 63 (54-72) μm, respectively. Only 25% of the second-generation males possess a mucron. The first-generation females of S. bertusi n. sp. have a slightly protruding vulva, with double-flapped epiptygmata and a mucron at the posterior end. The new EPN species is most closely related to S. sacchari and is the sixth species to be included in the cameroonense-clade

Hemicycliophora presently contains 132 valid species of sheath nematodes. Within several samples obtained from surveys in Canada, South Africa, Spain and the USA, we distinguished six valid and six putative unidentified species by integrating the results of morphological and molecular analyses. Valid species included: H. californica, H. gracilis, H. parvana, H. poranga, H. raskii, and H. signata. The putative unidentified species were indicated as Hemicycliophora sp. 10, sp. 12, sp. 15, sp. 16, sp. 17, and sp. 18. Two new species of sheath nematodes from Spain and the USA were described and named as H. onubensis sp. n. and H. robbinsi sp. n., respectively. Hemicycliophora wyei is proposed as a junior synonym of H. parvana and H. ripa is proposed as a junior synonym of H. poranga. Eighteen valid and 13 unidentified species of sheath nematodes were characterised using the partial COI mtDNA gene. A total of 94 new sequences of which 77 were for the COI mtDNA gene were obtained in this study. Phylogenetic relationships within Hemicycliophora, using the D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rDNA, ITS rRNA and COI gene sequences, are presented as inferred from Bayesian analysis.

The SeDeM Expert Diagram System is a galenic pre-formulation system, which evaluates the suitability of excipients and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API's) for direct compression into tablets as well as predicting possible formulations (i.e. ratios of API:excipient) to obtain acceptable direct compressible tablets. In this study, the prediction ability of the SeDeM Expert Diagram System with a special focus on testing the limits of the system was investigated. Three different active pharmaceutical ingredients (API's) in combination with a mix of classic and novel excipients which are currently in use in the wider pharmaceutical community were utilized. The API's and seven excipients were selected based on their physicochemical properties in order to determine the system's ability to predict ratios of API:excipient for acceptable direct compression tablets (e.g. acceptable weight variation as well as sufficient strength to withstand handling). Predicted formulations were tableted and evaluated according to the set criteria. If a tablet formulation failed to meet the criteria, the ratio of excipient to API was increased in 5% increments until a successful formulation was obtained, while the reverse was applied if a formulation was successful. The SeDeM Expert Diagram System proved to be proficient at predicting acceptable tablet formulations, with a few exceptions. The SeDeM system gave successful predictions for only two excipients (FlowLac® 100 and StarLac®) in the case of paracetamol as API. Contrary to predictions by SeDeM for paracetamol, drug loads between 15 and 30% were prepared depending on the excipient. This may be attributed to the ability of the novel excipients to compensate for the elastic properties of paracetamol. With regard to furosemide, none of the predicted formulations rendered acceptable tablets. This could be attributed to the cohesive properties of furosemide forming interactive mixtures with the excipient particles being coated by the r

During recent nematological surveys Ogma decalineatus and Criconema silvum were found in South Africa and Neobakernema variabile was found in California, USA. These three species are morphologically and morphometrically described. The SEM photos are also given for the species. Molecular characterisations of these three species using the D2-D3 expansions segments of 28S rRNA, ITS rRNA and COI mtDNA gene sequences are provided

The reniform nematodes of the genus Rotylenchulus are semi-endoparasites of numerous herbaceous and woody plant roots and are mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. In this study, we provide morphological and molecular characterisation of six out of ten presently known valid species of Rotylenchulus: R. clavicaudatus, R. leptus, R. macrodoratus, R. macrosoma, R. reniformis and R. sacchari from South Africa, USA, Italy and Spain. Rotylenchulus parvus was only studied morphologically. A new species, R. macrosomoides sp. n., isolated from soil and roots of sugarcane in South Africa, is described. The phylogeny of Rotylenchulus, as inferred from the analyses of D2-D3 of 28S rRNA, ITS rRNA, coxI mtDNA and hsp90 gene sequences, is presented. The study revealed that R. reniformis and R. macrosoma have a sister relationship, but that relationships between other Rotylenchulus species remain unresolved. The phylogenetic analysis also confirmed the hypothesis that this genus originated from the Afrotropical zoogeographical region. Our study revealed that R. reniformis and R. macrosomoides sp. n. have two distinct rRNA gene types and R. macrosoma have three rRNA gene types in their genomes. PCR with species-specific primers was developed for rapid diagnostics of R. reniformis.

Aphelenchoides arachidis is reported for the first time from South Africa and for the fourth time outside Nigeria. The A. arachidis-infested pods from South Africa showed the following symptoms: small seeds with the testa wrinkled and darker in colour than that of non-infested seeds; the pods showed dark lesions and some seeds within the pods showed early germination. Differences between the two South African and the Nigerian populations of A. arachidis include more lateral lines in some specimens (2-4 vs 2) and, on average, longer post-uterine sac length (extending for 74 (41-96) and 62 (33-82) vs about 50% of vulva to anus distance). Scanning electron micrographs of this species are presented for the first time. The ITS regions of ribosomal DNA were amplified, sequenced, aligned and compared with other sequences of Aphelenchoides species. Two pathogenic fungi, Thielaviopsis basicola and Neocosmospora vasinfecta, were also isolated from this material

Ngamiland in northwestern Botswana hosts the Gcwihaba Caves which present unique subterranean environments and host speleothems never before recorded. Cave atmospheric conditions can be extreme with temperatures as high as 28°C and relative humidity nearing 99.9%. Within Dimapo and Diviner’s Caves peculiar root speleothems that we named ‘Hairy Stalagmites’ were found. These stalagmites are closely associated with the roots of Namaqua fig (Ficus cordata) trees that enter the cave environment in search of water. Pieces of broken stalagmites were sampled from Dimapo Cave for further investigations. Stereo and electron microscopy revealed that the Hairy Stalagmites consist of multiple intertwined tubes created when thin films of CaCO3 are deposited around fine lateral roots. The importance of the roots is substantiated with evidence of calcified epidermal cells, apical meristems and epidermal imprints. The development of these stalagmites starts when roots accumulate on the cave floor in the vicinity of a water drip and a root nest is created to capture the water. From this point the roots grow upwards (positive hydrotropism) allowing the development of the calcite structure, and as CO2 diffusion and evaporation occurs, CaCO3 is deposited. The environmental conditions necessary for the growth of Hairy Stalagmites, as well their developmental mechanism, are discussed and illustrated

Sheathoid nematodes of the genus Hemicriconemoides are migratory root-ectoparasites of many plants including various agricultural crops and fruit trees. They are generally found inhabiting warm areas of the world and presently consist of 52 valid species. In this study we provide morphological and molecular characterisation of 12 species of this genus viz.: H. alexis, H. brachyurus, H. californianus, H. chitwoodi, H. macrodorus, H. minutus, H. ortonwilliamsi, H. promissus, H. silvaticus, H. strictathecatus, H. wessoni and Hemicriconemoides sp. originating from China, Greece, Japan, Myanmar, Spain, South Africa and the USA. Morphological descriptions, measurements, light and scanning electron microscopic observations and drawings are given for several species. Phylogenetic relationships within Hemicriconemoides, as inferred from the analyses of the D2-D3 of 28S rRNA and ITS-rRNA gene sequences, resulted in trees with three major clades that corresponded with species groupings based on morphology of the lip pattern and vulval flap. PCR with species-specific primers were developed for H. californianus, H. chitwoodi and H. strictathecatus. © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2014.

Scutellonema spp. are widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of the world and are associated with numerous agricultural and horticultural crops. Identification of many Scutellonema species is not always reliable, in part because many species share very similar diagnostic characters. In this study, we provide morphological and molecular characterisation of S. brachyurus from the USA and South Africa, S. bradys from Nigeria and three unidentified species from California, USA, New Zealand and Burkina Faso. Morphological descriptions, measurements, light and scanning electron microscopic photos and drawings are given for S. brachyurus. Females of S. brachyurus from the USA (type A) and South Africa (type B) showed a significant variation in the number of sectors and blocks on the lip annuli, ranging from about 4-12 and from 8-20, respectively. Molecular analysis using the D2- D3 of 28S rRNA, ITS rRNA and the COI mtDNA gene sequences revealed two distinct genotypes within S. brachyurus samples: type A (samples from USA, Italy, Korea, Taiwan) and type B (South Africa). Multivariate analyses determined that S. brachyurus from the USA and Taiwan (type A) differed from that from South Africa (type B) mainly in body, tail and DGO lengths, and ratios b , c , c and V. Phylogenetic relationships within Scutellonema are given as inferred from the analyses of the D2-D3 of 28S rRNA, ITS rRNA and the COI mtDNA gene sequences. PCR-RFLP diagnostic profiles and PCR with species-specific primers are developed for the studied Scutellonema species

Scutellonema spp. are widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of the world and are associated with numerous agricultural and horticultural crops. Identification of many Scutellonema species is not always reliable, in part because many species share very similar diagnostic characters. In this study, we provide morphological and molecular characterisation of S. brachyurus from the USA and South Africa, S. bradys from Nigeria and three unidentified species from California, USA, New Zealand and Burkina Faso. Morphological descriptions, measurements, light and scanning electron microscopic photos and drawings are given for S. brachyurus. Females of S. brachyurus from the USA (type A) and South Africa (type B) showed a significant variation in the number of sectors and blocks on the lip annuli, ranging from about 4-12 and from 8-20, respectively. Molecular analysis using the D2-D3 of 28S rRNA, ITS rRNA and the COI mtDNA gene sequences revealed two distinct genotypes within S. brachyurus samples: type A (samples from USA, Italy, Korea, Taiwan) and type B (South Africa). Multivariate analyses determined that S. brachyurus from the USA and Taiwan (type A) differed from that from South Africa (type B) mainly in body, tail and DGO lengths, and ratios b′, c′, c and V. Phylogenetic relationships within Scutellonema are given as inferred from the analyses of the D2-D3 of 28S rRNA, ITS rRNA and the COI mtDNA gene sequences. PCR-RFLP diagnostic profiles and PCR with species-specific primers are developed for the studied Scutellonema species. © 2013 Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden.

Anhydrous nevirapine was recrystallized from ethanol containing various amounts of water to determine its effects on the products obtained. The solubility of the anhydrous form was determined for each of the binary solvent systems, and compared to the composition of the solvent system. A novel hemiethanolate was fully characterized by thermal methods, FT-IR spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction