Burden, Health and Sense of Coherence among Relatives of Depressed Inpatients

In Europe, there are an increasing number of persons suffering from depression, which also affects many relatives. The burden and health when being the relative of an inpatient suffering from severe depression has been less examined. The aim of the study was to describe burden, health and sense of coherence among relatives of inpatients with severe depression. Furthermore, the aim was to investigate relatives’ burden in relation to their health and sense of coherence. A cross-sectional design was performed, with a questionnaire consisting of background questions and three instruments;Burden Assessment Scale, General Health Questionnaire and Sense of Coherence scale. The participants consisted of 68 relatives recruited from a sample of inpatients diagnosed with depression in the psychiatric specialist health services in one hospital trust in Norway. The Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics, Norway South East, gave approval to the study. The relatives reported burden to a various degree, with some reporting a significantly greater burden, poorer health and a weaker sense of coherence than others. With regard to subjective burden eight out of ten relatives reported “Worry about future”, and almost six out of ten were “Upset by change in patient”. Regarding objective burden, more than half the relatives reported having “Less time for friends” and “Reduced leisure time”. In conclusion the relatives with a high level of burden reported more mental distress, poorer health and weaker sense of coherence than those with lower level of burden. Further research should focus on identification of factors predicting burden and health of relatives of inpatients with severe depression.

Experiences of rejection by mental health patients— A qualitative study

Background and aim: People suffering from mental illness and their experiences of attitudes towards them are rarely investigated from the perspective of the individual. The aim was to gain an understanding of how a group of mental health patients experienced social relationships in personal settings as well as in society. Method: Open interviews with twenty-five mental health patients were conducted and analysed with a qualitative content analysis. Result: The essence of the result was that mental health patients’ experiences are still not taken enough into account, neither by mental health professionals nor by their social networks. This was underpinned by four core categories: Patients’ experience of deteriorated and reduced social contacts due to various degrees of acceptance and knowledge of people in general;service users reported on difficulties with social contacts in general, with family relationships, relationships with friends and workmates and with employers;reduced life opportunities were expressed, including violated self-image and poor coping competence and, ambivalent experiences of contact with the mental health services were reported. Conclusion and clinical implication: The present study contributes to the understanding of mental health patients’ experiences of professional services and of their social networks. This knowledge may strengthen the implications of patient-centred care essential for the outcome of the care.

Role of Candida species in pathogenesis, immune regulation, and prognostic tools for managing ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease

The gut microbiome plays a key role in the pathogenesis and disease activity of inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).While research has focused on the bacterial microbiome,recent studies have shifted towards host genetics and host-fungal interactions.The mycobiota is a vital component of the gastrointestinal microbial community and plays a significant role in immune regulation.Among fungi,Candida species,particularly Candida albicans(C.albicans),have been extensively studied due to their dual role as gut commensals and invasive pathogens.Recent findings indicate that various strains of C.albicans exhibit consid-erable differences in virulence factors,impacting IBD's pathophysiology.Intestinal fungal dysbiosis and antifungal mucosal immunity may be associated to IBD,especially Crohn's disease(CD).This article discusses intestinal fungal dysbiosis and antifungal immunity in healthy individuals and CD patients.It discusses factors influencing the mycobiome's role in IBD pathogenesis and highlights significant contributions from the scientific community aimed at enhancing understanding of the mycobiome and encouraging further research and targeted intervention studies on specific fungal populations.Our article also provided insights into a recent study by Wu et al in the World Journal of Gastroenterology regarding the role of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of CD.

Antioxidant and anti-glycation activities correlates with phenolic composition of tropical medicinal herbs

To determine the contribution of total phenolic content(TPC) in glycation inhibitory activity of common tropical medicinal food and spices with potential antioxidative properties. Methods:In vitro glucose-bovine serum albumin(BSA) assay was used.Ethanolic extracts of ten common household condiments/herbs(Allium sativum.Zingiber officinale.Thymus rulgaris, Petroselinum crispum,Murraya koenigii Spreng,Mentha piperita L.,Curcuma longa L.,Allium cepa L.,Allium fistulosum and Coriandrum sativum L.) were evaluated for antinxidative activity by 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH),and ferric reducing antioxidant power(FRAP) and the TPC.flavonoid and tannins content were determined.Results:Findings showed good correlation between TPC/DPPH(r= 0.8).TPC/FRAP(r= 0.8).TPC/Anti-glycation(r=0.9).DPPH/Anti-glycation (r= 0.6),FRAP/Anti-glycation(r = 0.9),Flavonoid/Anti-glycation(r=0.7) and Tannina/Antiglycation (r = 0.8) and relatively fair correlation for TPC/Flavonoids(r = 0.5) and TPC/Tannina(r = 0.5).Results imply that these plants are potential sources of natural antioxidants which have free radical scavenging activity and might be used for reducing oxidative stress.Conclusions:The positive glycation inhibitory and antioxidative activities of these tropical herbs suggest a possible role in targeting ageing,diabetic complications and oxidative stress related diseases.

Spectrum of diagnostic errors in radiology

Diagnostic errors are important in all branches of medicine because they are an indication of poor patient care. Since the early 1970s,physicians have been subjected to an increasing number of medical malpractice claims. Radiology is one of the specialties most liable to claims of medical negligence.Most often,a plaintiff's complaint against a radiologist will focus on a failure to diagnose. The etiology of radiological error is multi-factorial.Errors fall into recurrent patterns.Errors arise from poor technique,failures of perception,lack of knowledge and misjudgments.The work of diagnostic radiology consists of the complete detection of all abnormalities in an imaging examination and their accurate diagnosis. Every radiologist should understand the sources of error in diagnostic radiology as well as the elements of negligence that form the basis of malpractice litigation.Error traps need to be uncovered and highlighted,in order to prevent repetition of the same mistakes.This article focuses on the spectrum of diagnostic errors in radiology, including a classification of the errors,and stresses the malpractice issues in mammography,chest radiology and obstetric sonography.Missed fractures in emergency and communication issues between radiologists and physicians are also discussed.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of Staphylococcus aureus Strains Isolated at the Namibia Institute of Pathology from 2012 to 2014

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is known to acquire resistance to new drugs and continues to defy at-tempts to control it. Infections caused by antibiotic resistant strains of S. aureus have reached epidemic proportions globally and the increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance are resulting in fewer treatment options. Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has also emerged as a serious therapeutic problem worldwide. However, data on the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of this bacterium over a period of time in Namibia are not available. A descriptive retrospective study was therefore conducted to investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of 600 Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated at the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) from January 2012 to December 2014. The results showed that a high proportion of isolates were resistant to penicillin (92.4%) and cotrimoxazole (44.9%), while the antibiotics to which the isolates were least resistant included vancomycin (0%), fusidic acid (0.3%) and ciprofloxacin (4.4%). Methicillin resistance was observed in 13.5% of the staphylococcal isolates. Apart from clindamycin (P value = 0.039) and cotrimoxazole (P value = 0.030), the susceptibility patterns of the antibiotics did not differ significantly over the three years. Moreover, wound swabs and sputum were the clinical samples from which S. aureus was most commonly isolated at NIP. The results from this study suggest that continuous local surveillance on the resistance patterns of S. aureus should be performed on regular basis in Namibia, in order to have adequate information for the empirical treatment of S. aureus infections.

Inhibition of glucose-and fructose-mediated protein glycation by infusions and ethanolic extracts of ten culinary herbs and spices

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory activity of ten culinary herbs and spices namely on glucose-mediated glycation(GMG) and fructose-mediated glycation(FMG) of bovine serum albumin.Methods: Fluorescence was used as an index of albumin glycation using glucose and fructose as substrates in the presence of infusions and ethanolic extracts of ten culinary herbs and spices. Antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated using reducing power,metal ion chelating and superoxide radical scavenging assays. Phytochemicals profile was analysed using 13 standard methods.Results: FMG was found to be significantly higher than GMG(95 and 84 AU,respectively; P < 0.05). Infusions and ethanolic extracts showed significant(P < 0.05)inhibitory activity on both GMG and FMG when compared to appropriate controls. No significant difference(P > 0.05) was found in the percentage glycation inhibitory activity of infusions compared to ethanolic extracts. The mean percentage inhibitory activity of the extracts for GMG(45.9%) and for FMG(45.1%) was not significantly different(P > 0.05). Qualitative phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, anthraquinones, steroids, reducing sugars, proteins, phenols,saponins, phlobatannins, and cardiac glycosides.Conclusions: The higher rate of fluorescence generation by fructation suggests that glycation by fructose deserves much attention as a glycating agent. Data herein showed that the extracts inhibited GMG and FMG. Thus, these edible plants could be a natural source of antioxidants and anti-glycation agent for preventing advanced glycation endproducts-mediated complications.

Stretching in the prevention of hamstring strains: Attitudes, beliefs and current practices among football coaches in Mauritius

Context and Objective: Hamstring strain is a common injury in football and it causes a significant amount of time lost from competition and training. Since poor flexibility is thought to predispose to muscle strain, stretching is routinely recommended during warm-up routines by coaches to prevent injuries. However, available evidence suggests that pre-exercise stretching (PES), especially static stretching, has no benefit on injury rates and may even reduce performance in explosive type activities. We designed this study to assess the attitudes, beliefs and practices of football coaches regarding stretching in the prevention of hamstring strains. Design: A cross-sectional survey. Setting: Mauritius Football Association (MFA). Participants: 26 football coaches registered with the MFA. Intervention: Questionnaires were distributed to football coaches of the MFA via sports officers. Questionnaires were then collected two weeks after distribution. Main Outcome Measures: Attitudes, beliefs and practices of football coaches regarding stretching in the prevention of ham-string strains. Results: MFA coaches held generally positive attitudes and beliefs towards stretching. 88% of coaches felt that PES is beneficial and 93% believed that PES prevents hamstring strains. The majority of coaches recommended stretching after warming up (81%) and after the training session (93%). 76% of coaches also advised stretching outside the training sessions. 96% of coaches used static stretching to stretch the hamstrings. The hamstrings were stretched on average for 4 times at each training session and the mean duration of a static stretch was 12 seconds. Conclusions: Nearly all coaches believed that PES prevents hamstring strains although evidence is limited. Some of the coaches’ beliefs and practices were not in line with current recommendations. Coaches reported that their stretching practices would be most likely influenced by scientific research. Thus there is an urgent need to devise awareness and training programmes in this area.

In vitro modulation of oxidative burst via release of reactive oxygen species from immune cells by extracts of selected tropical medicinal herbs and food plants

Objective:To evaluate in vitro immunomodulating properties and potential cytotoxicity of six tropical medicinal herbs and food plants namely Antidesma madagascariense(Euphorbiaceae) (AM),Erylhroxylum macrocarpum(Erythroxylaceae)(EM),Faujasiopsis flexuosa(Asteraceae) (FF),Pittosporum senacia(Pittosporaceae)(PS),Momordica charantia(Cucurbitaceae)(MC) and Orimum tenuiflorum(Lamiaceae)(Of).Methods:Initially,the crude water and methanol extracts were probed for their capacity to trigger immune cells’ NADPH oxidase and MPO-dependent activities as measured by lucigenin- and luminol-amplified chemiluminescence,respectively; as compared to receptor-dependent(serum opsonised zymosan- OPZ) or receptor-independent phorbol myristerate acetate(PMA).Results:Preliminary screening on whole human blood oxidative buret activity showed significant and concentration-dependent immunomodulating properties of three plants AM,FF and OT.Further investigations of the fractions on isolated human polymorphonuclear cells(PMNs) and mice monocytes using two different pathways for activation of phagocytic oxidative burst showed that ethyl acetate fraction was the most potent extract. None of the active samples had cell-death effects on human PMNs,under the assay conditions as determined by the trypan-blue exclusion assay.Since PMA and OPZ NADPH oxidase complex is activated via different transduction pathways,these results suggest that AM,FF and OT does not affect a specific transductional pathway,but rather directly inhibit a final common biochemical target such as the NADPH oxidase enzyme and/or scavenges ROS.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that some of these plants extracts/fractions were able to modulate significantly immune response of phagocytes and monocytes at different steps,emphasizing their potential as a source of new natural alternative immunomodulatory agents.

Anti-Microbial and Physico-Chemical Properties of Processed and Raw Honeys of Mauritius

Among the panoply of food products used in treatment of various ailments, honey has been used since prehistoric times as an effective antimicrobial therapy. Being first of its kind, honeys with specific botanical origin from Mauritius were examined. In this study, three commercially processed-enhanced v/s three unprocessed honeys were evaluated for possible antimicrobial activities against clinical bacterial (Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Pseudomonas aeroguinosa (ATCC 27853)) and fungal (Aspergillus niger (ATCC 16404) and Candida albicans (ATCC 10231)) isolates in vitro. Research findings showed that the respective physicochemical parameters of the samples ranged from;pH: 3.28 - 4.67, H2O: 17.63% - 24.87%, reducing sugar 42.95 - 60.31 g/100g, density 1.11 - 1.55 g/ml and viscosity: 1.85 - 26.24 Pa·s at 20°C. Physicochemical parameters of different honeys were observed to vary significantly with respect to their floral origin (P P < 0.05). The honey samples used in this study can be considered as valuable food products from their antimicrobial properties’ point of view and can have clinical potential.

Use of a National Clinical Final Examination in a Bachelor’s Programme in Nursing to Assess Clinical Competence—Students’, Lecturers’ and Nurses’ Perceptions

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the perceptions of students, lecturers, nurses and clinical lecturers regarding the ability of the National Clinical Final Examination (NCFE) to assess clinical competence, and whether the assessment was consistent with the qualifications for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing as outlined by the Swedish Higher Education Authority. The NCFE is divided into two parts (written and bedside) and aims to evaluate third-year nursing students’ clinical competence. Methods: Data were collected at 10 universities using study-specific questionnaires. The total response rate was 84% (n = 1652). Results: The clinical lecturers indicated that there was a need for improvement in the written part of the examination in order to adequately assess clinical competence. Regarding the bedside part the clinical lecturers, nurses and students perceived that the bedside part of the examination assessed whether the student had the clinical competence required by a newly registered nurse. Conclusion: The two-part examination described in this study was perceived as useful for assessing clinical competence and for the qualification requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing as outlined by the Swedish Higher Education Authority. However, especially the written part requires further development. The model and form of assessment ought to be applicable to graduate nursing programme internationally.

Microbiological Quality of Freshly Prepared, Packaged Fruit and Milk Juices Sold in Cafés, Shops, and Supermarkets in Hargeisa, Somaliland

Background: Due to their delicious taste, high nutritional content, and health benefits, fruit juices are well-known drinks in many countries and are now an essential component of the modern diet. Objective: Determining the microbiological quality of both packaged and freshly made fruit and milk juices. Method: The spread-plate approach was employed to isolate and count the bacteria. 90 ml of sterile peptone water were blended with 10 ml of well-mixed, packed, and freshly made fruit juices. The samples were sequentially diluted (101 - 105) in accordance with the Indian Manual of Food Microbiological Testing Methods. Results: From eight samples of imported packaged fruit and milk juice, the average of total coliform, staphylococci, and viable bacterial counts were zero, 1.39 × 102, and 2 × 102 CFU/ml, respectively. In contrast, from three samples of locally produced fruit and milk juice, the average of total coliform, staphylococci, and viable bacterial counts were zero, 5.83 × 102, and 2.73 × 103 CFU/ml, respectively. Four samples of handmade prepared fruit and milk juices had a mean of total coliform, staphylococci, and viable bacterial count of 1.441 × 104, 4.1 × 103, and 2.35 × 105 CFU/ml, respectively. Conclusion: 33.3% of the results from microbiological analysis of freshly made fruit and milk juices met the permissible range of the Revised Microbiological Standards for Fruit and Vegetables and Their Products, which were published in 2018 and as well as the Hong Kong Center for Food Safety, whereas 66.7% of the microbiological analyses of freshly prepared fruit and milk juices were above the permissible reference range of GSO standard 2000. 12.5% of the investigated imported and packed fruits and milk juices had one failed test (TSC), which was above the acceptable limit, 87.5% of the tested samples of fruit and milk juices fulfilled the necessary standards of TCC, TVBC, and TSC. 100% of the tested locally manufactured fruit and milk juices complied with TSC, TCC, and TVBC requirements. All investigations showed that freshly made fruit and milk juices were heavily contaminated (Total viable bacterial count, total coliform count, and total staphylococcus count). .

Automated measurement of three-dimensional cerebral cortical thickness in Alzheimer’s patients using localized gradient vector trajectory in fuzzy membership maps

Our purpose in this study was to develop an automated method for measuring three-dimensional (3D) cerebral cortical thicknesses in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) using magnetic resonance (MR) images. Our proposed method consists of mainly three steps. First, a brain parenchymal region was segmented based on brain model matching. Second, a 3D fuzzy membership map for a cerebral cortical region was created by applying a fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering algorithm to T1-weighted MR images. Third, cerebral cortical thickness was three- dimensionally measured on each cortical surface voxel by using a localized gradient vector trajectory in a fuzzy membership map. Spherical models with 3 mm artificial cortical regions, which were produced using three noise levels of 2%, 5%, and 10%, were employed to evaluate the proposed method. We also applied the proposed method to T1-weighted images obtained from 20 cases, i.e., 10 clinically diagnosed AD cases and 10 clinically normal (CN) subjects. The thicknesses of the 3 mm artificial cortical regions for spherical models with noise levels of 2%, 5%, and 10% were measured by the proposed method as 2.953 ± 0.342, 2.953 ± 0.342 and 2.952 ± 0.343 mm, respectively. Thus the mean thicknesses for the entire cerebral lobar region were 3.1 ± 0.4 mm for AD patients and 3.3 ± 0.4 mm for CN subjects, respectively (p < 0.05). The proposed method could be feasible for measuring the 3D cerebral cortical thickness on individual cortical surface voxels as an atrophy feature in AD.

Microbial Analysis of Drinking Water from Randomly Selected Boreholes and Shallow Wells around Hargeisa, Somaliland

Background: Shallow wells and boreholes are vital sources of potable water in Hargeisa. This water can be polluted by runoff, in particular during the rainy season, causing outbreaks of waterborne infections. Objectives: This research aimed at evaluating the microbial quality of shallow wells and boreholes water around Hargeisa, Somaliland. Methods: The total coliform and Escherichia coli count were done by using the membrane filtration method. Overall, 100 ml of each water sample was filtered via a 0.45 μm membrane filter, and then the filters were put on m-Endo agar plates that were incubated at 37°C for 24 to 48 hours. Results: The mean value of total coliform counts for the boreholes and shallow wells ranged from 1.288 × 103 to 8.8 × 103 CFU/100ml, while the mean value of total E. coli counts also ranged from 3.5 × 102 to 4.429 × 103 CFU/100ml. Results from this study have demonstrated that all water sources (Arabsiyo, Dararweyne, Darasalaam, Dabaraqas, and Jaleelo) don’t comply with the WHO guideline for drinking water. Results from the analysis of water samples of 28 wells demonstrated a significant correlation between total coliform and E. coli counts (P = 0.01). Therefore, this water is not fit for human consumption unless it is treated. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that all results of both mean values of total coliform and E. coli counts from groundwater of selected shallow wells and boreholes were beyond WHO standards, so water from Arabsiyo, Jaleelo, Dabaraqas, Dararweyne, and Darasalaam requires treatment before human consumption.

Frequency of Bacterial Organisms Isolated from Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) of Children under Five Years in Windhoek from 2010 to 2014

Bacterial meningitis (BM) is a life-threatening condition which affects the central nervous system (CNS). Its incidence rate is estimated between 0.22 - 2.66 and 0.81 - 6.1 cases/1000 lives worldwide and in Africa respectively. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of bacterial organisms isolated from CSF of children less than five years old in Windhoek. A retrospective analysis was performed on 784 results of CSF submitted to the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) from January 2010 to August 2014. The results showed that out of the suspected meningitis cases, 18 (28.6%) were due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, making it the frequently isolated organism, followed by Staphylococcus aureus 7 (11.1%), Escherichia coli 5 (7.9%) and Haemophilus influenzae 4 (6.3%). Streptococcus pneumoniae showed high resistance to penicillin 17 (70.5%) & cotrimoxazole 16 (93.7%) and 100% susceptibility to ciprofloxacin (5), vancomycin (13) & ceftri-axone (8). Haemophilus influenzae showed moderate resistance to cotrimoxazole 3 (66%) & tet-racycline 2 (50%). It showed 100% sensitivity to chloramphenicol (4), cefuroxime (2) & ceftriaxone (3). Neisseria meningitidis showed high resistance to cotrimoxazole by 100% (n = 2) and high sensitivity to chloramphenicol (n = 2), ceftriaxone & penicillin by 100% (n = 2). Streptococcus agalactiae was resistant to tetracycline and sensitive to penicillin & erythromycin by 100% (n = 1). Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated the most in this current study and it had high resistance to penicillin & cotrimoxazole. There was a significant difference between results CSF culture and PCR, Gram stain, CSF cell count, protein & glucose, as all comparisons yielded in P values less than 0.05, indicating a significant statistical association.

Exploring the Implementation of Individual Care Plans in Relation to Characteristics of Staff

The aim was to explore the implementation of individual care plans in municipal elderly care in relation to characteristics of staff. Data regarding characteristics of staff were derived through a questionnaire distributed to all staff working in the care for older people, (N = 908, n = 245) in four municipalities in Sweden. The number of care plans established during a one-year period was collected through a contact person in each municipality. In total 47 individual care plans were established during the study year. Significantly more staff in the municipality that had the most number of established individual care plans agreed that there had been sufficient education (p = 0.017), sufficient time (p = 0.002) and routines established regarding individual care plans (p = 0.014) and had a significantly better job satisfaction (p = 0.001), compared to staff in the other municipalities. Implementation leaders may need to take the working conditions and the perception of available resources among staff into consideration in the on-going process of implementing individual care plans.

Patient Life Experience and Activity of Daily Living before and after Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background: As the population ageing, more patients suffer from joint disease. Joint replacement surgery performed in Taiwan is about 10,000 to 20,000 cases yearly. Aims: The purpose of this study is to realize Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) patients’ views about life experiences and difficulty in daily life before and after the surgery. Methods: In this study, in-depth interview with interview guideline was used to analyze patients’ experience by using a qualitative research method, and questionnaires were used to collect quantity data. Results: 1) A total of 20 participants were recruited. Average age was 75.15 (SD = 6.468). Eighteen of the participants were female and the other two were male. The majority of participants indicated that their home facilities were convenient or very convenient. 2) Motivations of the participants to undergo TKA were joint pain, limited joint range of motion, and weakness in legs. Participants’ expectations after surgery were no more pain and ease in walking, and able to manage daily life. 3) Depending on the time after surgery, joint pain and walking ability had improved to some extent. The joint range of motion increased, but kneeling remained difficult, and the participants’ mood and exercise capacity were improved. Conclusions: The finding can be as a reference for clinical practitioner to provide preoperative education for total knee arthroplasty patients.

New host and geographic records of five pleosporalean hyphomycetes associated with Musa spp.(Banana)

A study was undertaken to collect and identify saprobic fungi associated with Musa spp.(banana)from Taiwan(China),and Thailand.Samples were collected during the dry season and their morpho-molecular relationships were investigated.Five brown pleosporalean hyphomycetous taxa in Periconiaceae and Torulaceae viz.Periconia cortaderiae,P.delonicis,Torula chromolaenae,T.fici,and T.masonii were identified for the first time from Musa spp.(Musaceae).Phylogenetic analyses of a combined SSU,LSU,ITS,RPB2 and TEF DNA sequence dataset further justified the taxonomic placements of these five taxa in the above mentioned families.Periconia delonicis is reported for the first time on a monocotyledonous host and T.masonii is the first geographical record from Taiwan(China).

Taxonomic circumscription and phylogenetics of novel didymellaceous taxa with brown muriform spores

Sexual morph of didymellaceous taxa are characterized by their ascomata with relatively thin peridium,cylindric-clavate to clavate,short-pedicellate or apedicellate asci,hyaline to brown,1-septate to muriform ascospores.Its asexual morphs are coelomycetous and comprising pycnidial or acervulus conidiomata,phialidic,hyaline conidiogenous cells and hyaline or pale brown,septate or aseptate conidia.The majority of these cosmopolitan species are plant associated fungi which can be pathogens on a wide range of hosts and some species are of particular relevance for quarantine measures.Recent studies have significantly improved the taxonomy and systematics of didymellaceous taxa based on molecular phylogenetics.In contrast to the accurate and detailed studies on the asexual morphs which are common obligate pathogens,information on their usually saprobic sexual morphs is still limited.Among these phenotypically diverse species,spore characteristics are quite unique as most have hyaline spores with 0-1 septum,while only Neomicrosphaeropsis and Didymellocamarosporium are reported as producing pigmented,muriform spores.These dematiaceous muriform spores are characteristic of a considerable number of species that may be quite divergent in other characters.During taxonomic investigations on the diversity of didymellaceous taxa,we have isolated species from Alhagi pseudalhagi,Coronilla emerus,Cytisus sp.,Elaeagnus angustifolia and Spartium junceum in Italy,Russia and Uzbekistan.A comprehensive phylogeny,based on four loci(ITS,LSU,rpb2 and tub2)is used to infer species relationships.Comprehensive morphological descriptions and in-depth phylogenetic investigations of five new species viz.Ascochyta coronillae-emeri,Microsphaeropsis spartii-juncei,Neomicrosphaeropsis alhagi-pseudalhagi,N.cytisicola and N.elaeagni are presented.

Jatropha curcas L: Phytochemical, antimicrobial and larvicidal properties

Objective: To evaluate antimicrobial activities as well as the phytochemical and lavicidal properties of different parts of Jatropha curcas L.(J. curcas) growing in Mauritius.Methods: Determination of the presence of phytochemicals in the crude plants extracts by test tube reactions. Disc diffusion method and microdilution method were used to detect the antimicrobial sensitivity and activity(minimal inhibitory concentration). The crude solvent extracts were also tested on the larvae of two insects, Bactrocera zonata and Bactrocera cucurbitae(Diptera, Tephritidae).Results: The antimicrobial activities were significantly dependent for the different crude plant extracts on the thirteen microorganisms tested. For the Gram-positive bacteria, the crude ethyl acetate extract was more efficient compared to the Gram-negative bacteria with both solvents being effective. The crude ethyl acetate extract of J. curcas bark and mature seed oil showed the highest efficacy. The highest mortality percentage was observed after 24 h for both Diptera flies with(66.67 ± 2.89)% of Bactrocera cucurbitae larvae killed by ethyl acetate extract of J. curcas bark.Conclusions: This paper compared the different J. curcas plant sections with respect to the effectiveness of the plant as a potential candidate for new pharmaceuticals. The larvicidal effect was also studied in order to demonstrate the dual purpose of the plant.