Inventory and Distribution of Benthic Macroinvertebrates, Indicators of Water Quality in Four Forested Watercourses in Centre Region of Cameroon

The inventory of benthic macroinvertebrate species was carried out in some streams of the Mefou catchment area, from August 2021 to August 2022, in order to determine the biological groups that make up the population and characterise these environments. The dataset acquired during this study made it possible to update the existing database and contribute to the knowledge of the biological groups associated in these environments, and to provide additional information on the existing ones in relation to bioindication. Overall 80 families were identified and, on the basis of frequencies of occurrence greater than 75%, 22 families were retained as potential biological indicators. The remarkable diversity of insects and the low abundance of Diptera reflect the low degradation of environments and the good quality of water. The high diversity indices obtained reflect the maintenance of the favourable ecological conditions that favours the development of a balanced and, integrated biological community capable of adapting to changes.

Study of biological markers in skin quality treatment by subcutaneous injection of a stabilized composition of 26 mg/mL of high molecular weight HA

Aim:Hyaluronic acid(HA)injectables have gained rapid acceptance for the treatment of skin rejuvenation.A novel HA/sorbitol composition intended for skin quality improvement containing 2.6%of high molecular weight HA stabilized by sorbitol was recently designed to be injected subcutaneously.The aim of this study was to assess the expression of biological markers of skin quality after administration of the composition.Methods:The HA/sorbitol composition was evaluated after injection into the superficial adipose tissue with ex vivo cultured human skin explants versus a product comparator to study the general morphology of the skin tissues and the expression of HA,elastin,collagen type Ⅰ,collagen type Ⅲ,and fibrillin-1 in the dermal layer.Results:The results demonstrate that the HA/sorbitol composition is able to boost the production of HA,elastin,collagen type Ⅰ,collagen type Ⅲ,and fibrillin-1 in the dermis while providing a proper quality of skin morphology.Conclusion:The HA/sorbitol composition improved biological markers of skin quality in the dermis after product injection into the superficial adipose tissue.This novel composition can be considered as an attractive solution to treat skin aging by injecting a specific HA/sorbitol formulation to strategically target the subcutaneous tissue to improve the quality of the different layers of the skin.

Response of Epilithic Diatom Communities to Downstream Nutrient Increases in Castelhano Stream,Venancio Aires City,RS,Brazil

The Castelhano Stream Hydrographic Basin, located in the city of Venancio Aires, RS, Brazil, shows an area of 675.3 km2, highlighting the Castelhano Stream as their main water course. The stream is the main responsiblity for the local water supply;however, there are no published studies in the literature regarding their water quality. In this context, the present research aimed to assess the water quality of Castelhano Stream in terms of organic pollution and eutrophication, applying the Biological Water Quality Index (BWQI), which uses epilithic diatoms communities as bioindicators. Biological samples were collected at three sampling stations along the stream in the months of September, November and December 2012. The results showed 81 identified species, distributed in 30 genera. The water pollution levels detected ranged from “strong” (66.7%) and “very strong” (33.3%), with differences in species composition between sampling stations. The sampling station S1 in the upper reaches was characterized by the presence of indicative species of acidophilus and lentic environments with large amounts of organic matter. The sampling stations S2 and S3, in the intermediate and lower reaches, respectively, showed a substitution of species in the community, with the presence of highly tolerant taxa to organic pollution and eutrophication. The high pollution levels detected along the basin are related to the nutrients and high organic load originating from livestock, domestic and industrial waste, as well as excess fertilizers and agricultural inputs used in farming. The results demonstrate the necessity to implement mitigation measures to contain the processes of organic pollution and eutrophication detected due to the dangers offered to public health and the environment.