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This study focuses on the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus, a globally distributed grain pest that affects cereals and pulses. Using chemicals to store grains can harm pest control and pose risks to consumers and the environment. The facultative intracellular symbiont bacteria Wolbachia can affect host's reproductive capacities in a variety of ways, which makes it useful in the management of pests such as C. maculatus. The main goal of the study was to identify Wolbachia diversity in the C. maculatus population. Phylogenetic analysis utilized mitochondrial COI and 12S rRNA genes to identify the host C. maculatus, while screening for Wolbachia was conducted using genes (wsp, coxA, and ftsZ) genes. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Wolbachia genes resulted in one new Wolbachia strain (wCmac1) in C. maculatus populations and contrasting already published data of other Callosobruchus strains. The study discussed the detection of Wolbachia and its phylogenetic comparison with other C. maculatus and Coleopteran populations. It is important to take these findings into account when considering host-pathogen interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe study examined host preferences among three Psyttalia parasitoids (P. ponerophaga, P. concolor, and P. fletcheri) regarding the larval stages of two Bactrocera fruit flies (B. cucurbitae and B. oleae). All parasitoids preferred the third instar larvae, followed by the second and first instars. Psyttalia fletcheri had the highest parasitism rate on B. cucurbitae, while P. ponerophaga was most effective on B. oleae. The highest parasitism rates were observed at the host-parasitoid ratio (400:20) for both P. fletcheri on B. cucurbitae and P. ponerophaga on B. oleae. These results highlight the importance of understanding host-parasitoid dynamics for effective fruit fly management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Altered enzymatic machineries are a substantial biochemical characteristic of tumor cell metabolism that switch metabolic profile from oxidative phosphorylation to amplified glycolysis as well as increased lactate production under hypoxia conditions. Reprogrammed metabolic profile is an emerging hallmark of cancer. Overexpression of several glycolytic enzymes and glucose transporters has been reported in 24 different types of cancers that represent approximately 70% of all the cancer cases around the globe. Thus, targeting glycolytic enzymes could serve as tempting avenue for drug design against cancer. Phosphoglycerate mutase 1 (PGAM1) is an important glycolytic enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of 3‐phosphoglycerate to 2‐phosphoglycerate. Recent investigations have revealed the overexpression of PGAM1 in several human cancers that is linked with tumor growth, survival, and invasion. The aim of this review is to update scientific research network with cancer‐specific role of PGAM1 to elucidate its capability as bonafide therapeutic target for cancer therapy. Moreover, we have also summarized the reported genetic and pharmacological inhibitors of PGAM1. This study suggests that further investigations on PGAM1 should focus on the exploration of molecular mechanisms of PGAM1 overexpression in development of cancer, assessment of biosafety profiles of known inhibitors of PGAM1, and utilization of PGAM1 inhibitors in combinatorial therapies. These future studies will surely support the unbiased strategies for the development of novel PGAM1 inhibitors for cancer therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extremophiles are the organisms that can be manipulated for various industrial activities. Agro–dairy wastes are being utilized for economical production of enzymes employing microbes. In this regard, thermophilic amylolytic bacterium was isolated from soil in vicinity of hot spring near Chakwal, Pakistan. The isolated bacterium was rod‐shaped, positive for Gram staining, and endospores former. The isolate was able to utilize sugars like, maltose, xylose, fructose, sachorose, sorbitol, mannose, mannitol, arabinose and polysaccharides like gelatin and starch. The isolate grew over a wide temperature range (40–70°C) and pH (4–9). It exhibited enough growth with different nitrogen sources which could produce amylase up to 0.72 U/mL, while hydrolyzing starch. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that it belongs to Anoxybacillus beppuensis under Accession number KF254912 (JF84). The DNA G+C content were 56.59%. The isolate JF84 showed fourfold purification and percentage yield was estimated to be 94.21% as compared to crude enzyme. The decreasing order of substrate suitability for amylase production was found to be sugarcane bagasse (SCB) > wheat straw (WS) > sugarcane bagasse and whey (SB + W) > whey (W). A. beppuensis JF84 yielded enough thermostable α‐amylase in economical substrates as well as tolerated broad pH and temperature suggesting its wide economical commercial use in amylase‐dependent industries. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: 417–423, 2019 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roots, bark, stem/twigs, and leaves of Fraxinus xanthoxyloides are being used regionally for the cure of malaria, jaundice, internal injuries, pneumonia, pain, rheumatism and also in fracture of bones. Our objective was to assess the methanolic leaves extract of F. xanthoxyloides for its antioxidant capability against oxidative stress induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in the kidney of Sprague-Dawley rats. Duration of this experiment was 30 days and doses were given on alternative days. Urine of rats was assessed for kidney function and renal tissues for antioxidant enzymes activity, biochemical markers, comet assay and histopathology. Enhanced urinary creatinine, urobilinogen levels and decreased creatinine clearance, protein contents, and albumin levels were observed by CCl4 administration when matched to controls. CCl4 injection also decreased the level of reduced glutathione, catalase, super oxide dismutase, peroxidase, glutathione s-transferase, glutathione reductase, and tissue protein while elevated the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, DNA damages and H2O2 in renal tissues of experimental animals. Co-treatment of FXM and silymarin, lead to the restoration of all the above tested parameters of kidney. Through this study we affirmed the ameliorating role of F. xanthoxyloides in oxidative stress affiliated disorders of kidney. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive hemorrhage through any reasons is a life threatening process. Artemisia scoparia of family Asteraceae has been used in local system of medicine to stop bleeding from wounds and in injuries, antiseptic, in healing urticarial and for removal of worms from the body. Aerial parts of A. scoparia was extracted with 95% methanol (ASM) and fractionated through liquid-liquid partition in ascending order of n-hexane (ASH), chloroform (ASC), ethyl acetate (ASE), and the remaining as the aqueous fraction (ASA). Phytochemical classes of the extract/fractions were determined by qualitative assays. Prothrombin time (PT) was estimated on the plasma of human blood by Owren method. Capillary tube method was applied to determine the hemostasis activity in Sprague-Dawley rat. Tannins, saponins, terpenoids, quinones, betacyanins and flavonoids were present whereas phlobatannins, anthraquinones and alkaloids were established absent in ASM, ASC, ASE and ASA. Prothrombin time was significantly decreased by mixing (10 μg) of ASM (16.67±1.15 sec), ASH (12.33±0.57 sec), ASC (15.33±0.57 sec) and ASA (9.0±1.0 sec) to that of vehicle (20.0±1.0 sec). Administration (200 mg/kg) of all the extract/fractions showed significantly less (26.00±11.79 sec - 41.00±7.21 sec) hemostasis time as compared to the (242.67±39.67 sec) control rats. The results suggested the therapeutics importance of A. scoparia use in bleeding pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leaves and root bark of Fraxinus xanthoxyloides Wall. (Oleaceae) are used locally for the treatment of jaundice, malaria and pneumonia. Decoction of stem, twigs and bark is used in pain, internal injuries, rheumatism and in bone fracture. In this investigation we have evaluated the methanol extract of leaves for its hepatoprotective potential against CCl4 induced hepatic injuries in rat. Methods: Powder of F. xanthoxyloides leaves was extracted with methanol (FXM) and subjected for the determination of polyphenolics through HPLC-DAD analysis. Sprague-Dawley (Rattus novergicus) male rats were divided into eight groups (six rats in each). Group I: non-treated control; Group II: vehicle treated (DMSO plus olive oil) while Group III- VI treated with 1 ml/kg body weight (bw) of CCl4 (30 % in olive oil) for 30 days (15 dosages) to induce the hepatic injuries. Group IV: treated with silymarin (100 mg/kg bw); Group V and VI with FXM (200, 400 mg/kg bw) on alternate days with CCl4 treatment. Group VII and VIII was administered with FXM (200, 400 mg/ kg bw) alone (15 dosages). After 30 days the serum was evaluated for liver function enzymes and biochemical markers, liver samples for antioxidant enzymes, biochemical markers, comet assay and for histopathology. Results: HPLC-DAD analysis of FXM revealed the existence of rutin and caffeic acid. In CCl4 treated rats the level of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), total bilirubin was significantly increased while the albumin concentration in serum was decreased as compared to control group. The level of hepatic antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GSR) was significantly decreased against the control group. Further, significant decrease in GSH while increase in lipid peroxides (TBARS), H2O2, DNA damages and comet length was induced with CCl4 in hepatic tissues of rat. In contrast, co-administration of FXM and silymarin restored the biochemical and histopathological status of the liver. Conclusion: Results of present investigation revealed that F xanthoxyloides leaves possibly protect the liver against CCl4 induced injuries like silymarin by its antioxidant constituents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]