Displaying publications 81 - 100 of 2345 in total

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  1. Johan I, Maznah WO, Mashhor M, Abu Hena MK, Amin SM
    Pak J Biol Sci, 2012 Jul 01;15(13):647-52.
    PMID: 24218935
    Investigation on copepod communities in Perai river estuary was conducted from November 2005 to May 2006. Five stations were established for monthly sampling and were located from the river mouth to the upper reaches of the river. Copepod samples were collected from vertical tows using a standard zooplankton net. The Perai river estuary was slightly stratified and salinity decreases significantly from the mouth of the river towards the upper reaches of the river. A total of 28 species of copepods were recorded and comprised of 14 families, Paracalanidae, Oithonidae, Corycaeidae, Acartiidae, Calanidae, Centropagidae, Eucalanidae, Pontellidae, Pseudodiaptomidae, Tortanidae, Ectinosomatidae, Euterpinidae, Clausidiidae and Cyclopidae. A total of 10 species showed high positive affiliation towards salinity (R > 0.60), Acartia spinicauda, Euterpina acutifrons, Microsetella norvegica, Oithona nana, Oithona simplex, Paracalanus crassirostris, Paracalanus elegans, Paracalanus parvus, Pseudodiaptomus sp. and Hemicyclops sp. The copepod species Pseudodiaptomus dauglishi were negatively affiliated towards salinity (R = -0.71). The copepod assemblages classified into two distinct groups according to salinity regimes, euryhaline-polyhaline group (25 marine affiliated species) and oligohaline-mesohaline group (3 freshwater affiliated species).
    Matched MeSH terms: Copepoda/growth & development*
  2. Hassan MDS, Razali N, Abu Bakar AS, Abu Hanipah NF, Agarwal R
    Exp Biol Med (Maywood), 2023 Aug;248(16):1425-1436.
    PMID: 37873757 DOI: 10.1177/15353702231199466
    Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a distinct signaling molecule modulating many physiological and pathophysiological processes. This protein is upregulated in numerous fibrotic diseases that involve extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. It mediates the downstream effects of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and is regulated via TGF-β SMAD-dependent and SMAD-independent signaling routes. Targeting CTGF instead of its upstream regulator TGF-β avoids the consequences of interfering with the pleotropic effects of TGF-β. Both CTGF and its upstream mediator, TGF-β, have been linked with the pathophysiology of glaucomatous optic neuropathy due to their involvement in the regulation of ECM homeostasis. The excessive expression of these growth factors is associated with glaucoma pathogenesis via elevation of the intraocular pressure (IOP), the most important risk factor for glaucoma. The raised in the IOP is due to dysregulation of ECM turnover resulting in excessive ECM deposition at the site of aqueous humor outflow. It is therefore believed that CTGF could be a potential therapeutic target in glaucoma therapy. This review highlights the CTGF biology and structure, its regulation and signaling, its association with the pathophysiology of glaucoma, and its potential role as a therapeutic target in glaucoma management.
    Matched MeSH terms: Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism
  3. Lai YM, Tan GC, Shah SA, Abd Rahman R, Mohd Saleh MF, Mansor S, et al.
    Placenta, 2024 Mar 06;147:21-27.
    PMID: 38278001 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.01.012
    INTRODUCTION: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) exerts a great impact on the placenta and reflects changes on placentas both morphological and functionally. The aims of this study are to evaluate the prevalence of placental histopathological lesions in pregnancies complicated by GDM compared to gestational age-matched controls, and their association with maternal and fetal complications.

    METHODS: Fifty-four singleton GDM-complicated pregnancies were recruited and compared to 33 consecutive normal pregnancies. Two pathologists, blinded to all clinical data, reviewed and evaluated all histological samples of the placentas in accordance with Amsterdam criteria. Relevant demographic, clinical data and primary birth outcomes were recorded.

    RESULTS: A myriad of histomorphological abnormalities, including chronic inflammation (n = 9/54, p = 0.031), histological chorioamnionitis (n = 23/54, p growth restriction (n = 13/54, p = 0.004).

    DISCUSSION: Histoarchitectural abnormalities were observed more frequently in placentas of GDM pregnancies compared to the controls. Our findings support the hypothesis that diabetic-induced damage in the placental function may be associated with the increased in fetal growth disorders in GDM-complicated pregnancies.

    Matched MeSH terms: Fetal Growth Retardation/pathology
  4. Babaei N, Abdullah NA, Saleh G, Abdullah TL
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:275028.
    PMID: 24723799 DOI: 10.1155/2014/275028
    A procedure was developed for in vitro propagation of Curculigo latifolia through shoot tip culture. Direct regeneration and indirect scalp induction of Curculigo latifolia were obtained from shoot tip grown on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of thidiazuron and indole-3-butyric acid. Maximum response for direct regeneration in terms of percentage of explants producing shoot, shoot number, and shoot length was obtained on MS medium supplemented with combination of thidiazuron (0.5 mg L(-1)) and indole-3-butyric acid (0.25 mg L(-1)) after both 10 and 14 weeks of cultures. Indole-3-butyric acid in combination with thidiazuron exhibited a synergistic effect on shoot regeneration. The shoot tips were able to induce maximum scalp from basal end of explants on the medium with 2 mg L(-1) thidiazuron. Cultures showed that shoot number, shoot length, and scalp size increased significantly after 14 weeks of culture. Transferring of the shoots onto the MS medium devoid of growth regulators resulted in the highest percentage of root induction and longer roots, while medium supplemented with 0.25 mg L(-1) IBA produced more numbers of roots.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plant Growth Regulators/pharmacology*; Plants, Medicinal/growth & development*; Plant Shoots/growth & development*; Curculigo/growth & development*
  5. Farshad Ashraf M, Abd Aziz M, Abdul Kadir M, Stanslas J, Farokhian E
    Plant Cell Physiol, 2013 Aug;54(8):1356-64.
    PMID: 23749812 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pct083
    This study focuses on the establishment of in vitro tuberization of Chlorophytum borivilianum using solid and liquid culture systems. A high in vitro tuberization rate on solid and stationary liquid Murashige and Skoog media was observed in the presence of 60 g l⁻¹ sucrose with 950, 1,265 and 1,580 µM 2-chloroethyl-trimethylammonium chloride (CCC). Application of a higher sucrose concentration of 90 g l⁻¹ showed a negative interaction with CCC on in vitro tuber number and days to in vitro tuber induction. For economic feasibility, 950 µM CCC with 60 g l⁻¹ sucrose was chosen as the best combination for in vitro tuberization in both solid and stationary liquid media. For optimization of in vitro tuber production,a comparison between solid, stationary liquid and shake liquid culture was carried out. Liquid culture with shaking at 80 r.p.m. resulted in a >2.5-fold increase in in vitro tuber production compared with solid culture.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plant Growth Regulators/pharmacology*; Plant Shoots/growth & development; Liliaceae/growth & development; Plant Tubers/growth & development
  6. Tee HS, Lee CY
    J Econ Entomol, 2017 12 05;110(6):2504-2511.
    PMID: 29029091 DOI: 10.1093/jee/tox241
    Many female parasitoid wasps optimize host selection to balance the benefits of high-quality hosts and the costs of predator- or hyperparasitoid-induced mortality risks to maximize their fitness. Cannibalism exists in many insect species and affects survival of parasitoid larvae developing in or on parasitized hosts. However, little is known about how parasitoid wasps resolve the fitness consequence of host cannibalism-induced mortality risk during host selection. We examined the effect of oothecal age on cannibalism in the American cockroach Periplaneta americana (L.) (Dictyoptera: Blattidae) and its effect on host age selection and fitness of its oothecal parasitoid Evania appendigaster (L.) (Hymenoptera: Evaniidae). P. americana differentially cannibalized 1-d-old (30‒60%) versus 10- to 40-d-old oothecae (<9%). However, parasitoid females did not avoid but still preferred to parasitize 1-d-old (45%) over 10- to 40-d-old oothecae (1.6‒20%). The parasitism rate was greater and the handling time was shorter on 1-d-old compared to older oothecae. For parasitoid progeny emerging from different-aged oothecae, regression analysis showed that development time increased and body size (measured as hind tibia length) and longevity decreased with oothecal age. These results demonstrate that reduced parasitoid progeny survival due to host cannibalism did not change the parasitoid's oviposition preference for newly laid oothecae, and that E. appendigaster females traded progeny survival for fitness gains for themselves and their progeny.
    Matched MeSH terms: Larva/growth & development; Nymph/growth & development; Ovum/growth & development; Periplaneta/growth & development*; Wasps/growth & development
  7. Peng TL, Sajap AS, Jeen LH, Lee SH, Lum WC
    Pak J Biol Sci, 2013 Dec 01;16(23):1786-90.
    PMID: 24506049
    One species of lace bug Cochlochila bullita Stål (Heteroptera: Tingidae) was found heavily infested Orthosiphon aristatus Blume Miq., an important medicinal plant in Malaysia. A morphological re-description of C. bullita was done in order to facilitate the identification of this oligophagous insect pest. Five variables, body length and width, antenna length, tibia length and head width were measured from 15 samples from each stage. Among these variables, body length and width were used to construct the ratio for species identification; while body lengths with the other three variables were used to distinguish the nymphs from each developmental stage. The measurements of four traits except the antenna length showed significant differences between the development stages. And thus suggest the body width, tibia length and head width were suitable parameters used to distinguish the nymphal stages. However, the result on the growth factor showed only the sizes of the head followed a more constant growth rate with growth ratios (1.21-1.39) lie between the Dyar's ratio. Body length and width ratio for the adult female and male was 1.51 +/- 0.00 and 1.59 +/- 0.01, respectively. These data are pertinent for identifying developmental stages and to distinguish the species of the lace bug.
    Matched MeSH terms: Head/growth & development; Nymph/growth & development; Tibia/growth & development; Heteroptera/growth & development*; Arthropod Antennae/growth & development
  8. Wee AS, Lim CK, Tan SL, Ahmad TS, Kamarul T
    Tissue Eng Part C Methods, 2022 10;28(10):501-510.
    PMID: 36082992 DOI: 10.1089/ten.TEC.2022.0112
    Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) has been reported to promote chondrogenic differentiation and proliferation in the multipotent stromal cell (MSCs), and the transforming growth factor-beta 3 (TGF-β3) tends to be exclusively in promoting cell differentiation alone. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of TGF-β1 and -β3 on the MSCs chondrogenic differentiation on the poly (vinyl alcohol)-chitosan-poly (ethylene glycol) (PVA-NOCC-PEG) scaffold, compared with that of monolayer and pellet cultures. In this study, P2 rabbit bone marrow-derived MSCs were seeded either on the untreated six-well plate (for monolayer culture) or onto the PVA-NOCC-PEG scaffold or cultured as a pellet culture. The cultures were maintained in a chemically defined serum-free medium supplemented with 10 ng/mL of either TGF-β1 or TGF-β3. Cell viability assay, biochemical assay, and real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed to determine the net effect of cell proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of each of the growth factors. The results showed that the PVA-NOCC-PEG scaffold enhanced MSCs cell proliferation from day 12 to 30 (p  0.05). In terms of chondrogenic differentiation, the PVA-NOCC-PEG scaffold augmented the GAGs secretion in MSCs and the mRNA expression levels of Sox9, Col2a1, Acan, and Comp were elevated (p  0.05). In conclusion, TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 enhanced the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs seeded on the PVA-NOCC-PEG scaffold; however, there was no significant difference between the effect of TGF-β1 and TGF-β3. Impact statement Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily members is a key requirement for the in vitro chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In this study, the effects of TGF-β1 and -β3 on MSC chondrogenic differentiation and proliferation on a novel three-dimensional scaffold, the poly(vinyl alcohol)-chitosan-poly(ethylene glycol) (PVA-NOCC-PEG) scaffold, was evaluated. In this study, the results showed both TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 can enhance the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs seeded on the PVA-NOCC-PEG scaffold.
    Matched MeSH terms: Transforming Growth Factors/metabolism; Transforming Growth Factors/pharmacology; Transforming Growth Factor beta/pharmacology; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/pharmacology; Transforming Growth Factor beta3/metabolism; Transforming Growth Factor beta3/pharmacology
  9. Edirisinghe ST, Weerasekera M, De Silva DK, Devmini MT, Pathmaperuma S, Wijesinghe GK, et al.
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2023 Jan 01;24(1):267-274.
    PMID: 36708576 DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.1.267
    BACKGROUND: The incidence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is very high in South Asia and Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the key factors essential for cancer growth. The importance of VEGF-A and VEGF Receptor 2(VEGFR-2) in oral cancer pathophysiology is yet to be decided. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A) is the main factor concerned in angiogenesis in tumors, but its role in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is still debatable. Our study aimed to determine the role of VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 in OSCC.

    METHODS: Blood from 30 patients with primary OSCC and 1:1 age-sex-matched controls was subjected to qPCR and ELISA to detect VEGF-A gene expression and serum level. Tumors of the 30 patients were investigated for VEGF Receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) expression and were analyzed using Image J software version 1.52 for DAB percentage (DAB-P) area and optical density (OD).

    RESULTS: VEGF-A relative gene expression among patients was 2.43-fold higher compared to the healthy control group. Well-differentiated had a 1.98-fold increment, while poorly differentiated had a 3.58-fold increment. Serum VEGF-A was significantly elevated among the patients compared to controls (458.7 vs 253.2, p=0.0225). Poorly differentiated had a higher serum VEGF concentration (1262.0±354.7pg/ml) compared with other two. Mean VEGFR-2 DAB-P level in OSCC was 42.41±5.61(p=0.15). Well-differentiated had a DAB-P of 41.20±5.32 while poorly differentiated had DAB-P 46.21±3.78. The mean OD in OSCC was 0.54±0.16. VEGFR-2 OD in well and poorly differentiated OSCC were 0.48±0.12 and 0.68±0.17, respectively.

    CONCLUSIONS: VEGF-A gene expression, serum levels, and tissue VEGFR-2 levels correlated linearly with the stage and grade of the tumor. This study justifies the value of VEGF-A as a potential biomarker in OSCC in early detection of OSCC. More studies are needed to accept the use of VEGF-A.

    Matched MeSH terms: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2/genetics; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3/metabolism; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism
  10. Azizi P, Rafii MY, Maziah M, Abdullah SN, Hanafi MM, Latif MA, et al.
    Mech. Dev., 2015 Feb;135:1-15.
    PMID: 25447356 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2014.11.001
    Auxin and cytokinin regulate different critical processes involved in plant growth and environmental feedbacks. These plant hormones act either synergistically or antagonistically to control the organisation, formation and maintenance of meristem. Meristem cells can be divided to generate new tissues and organs at the locations of plant postembryonic development. The aboveground plant organs are created by the shoot apical meristem (SAM). It has been proposed that the phytohormone, cytokinin, plays a positive role in the shoot meristem function, promotes cell expansion and promotes an increasing size of the meristem in Arabidopsis, whereas it has the reverse effects in the root apical meristem (RAM). Over the last few decades, it has been believed that the apically derived auxin suppresses the shoot branching by inactivating the axillary buds. However, it has recently become clear that the mechanism of action of auxinis indirect and multifaceted. In higher plants, the regulatory mechanisms of the SAM formation and organ separation are mostly unknown. This study reviews the effects and functions of cytokinin and auxin at the shoot apical meristem. This study also highlights the merger of the transcription factor activity with the actions of cytokinin/auxin and their complex interactions with the shoot meristem in rice.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plant Growth Regulators/physiology*; Oryza/growth & development; Meristem/growth & development
  11. Gonbad RA, Rani Sinniah U, Aziz MA, Mohamad R
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2014;2014:943054.
    PMID: 24605069 DOI: 10.1155/2014/943054
    The use of in vitro culture has been accepted as an efficient technique for clonal propagation of many woody plants. In the present research, we report the results of a number of experiments aimed at optimizing micropropagation protocol for tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) (clone Iran 100) using nodal segments as the explant. The effect of different combinations and concentrations of plant growth regulators (PGR) (BAP, TDZ, GA₃) on shoot multiplication and elongation was assessed. The influence of exposure to IBA in liquid form prior to transfer to solid media on rooting of tea microshoots was investigated. The results of this study showed that the best treatment for nodal segment multiplication in terms of the number of shoot per explant and shoot elongation was obtained using 3 mg/L BAP in combination with 0.5 mg/L GA₃. TDZ was found to be inappropriate for multiplication of tea clone Iran 100 as it resulted in hyperhydricity especially at concentrations higher than 0.05 mg/L. Healthy shoots treated with 300 mg/L IBA for 30 min followed by transfer to 1/2 strength MS medium devoid of PGR resulted in 72.3% of shoots producing roots and upon transferring them to acclimatization chamber 65% survival was obtained prior to field transfer.
    Matched MeSH terms: Plant Growth Regulators/pharmacology*; Plant Shoots/growth & development*; Camellia sinensis/growth & development*
  12. Zuha RM, Omar B
    Parasitol Res, 2014 Jun;113(6):2285-94.
    PMID: 24728523 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-014-3883-z
    Cosmopolitan scuttle fly, Megaselia scalaris (Loew) (Diptera: Phoridae) is one of the commonest forensic species recorded colonizing human corpse indoors and in concealed environment. The occurrence of this species in such environments provides a higher evidential value to assist estimation of postmortem interval (PMI) compared to other forensically important dipterans. However, developmental and size data of M. scalaris are still lacking and they are derived from a limited range of thermal values. The objective of this study is to develop the growth model of M. scalaris by emphasizing the size range of larvae and puparia at different constant temperatures. This species was reared in six replicates at eight varying constant temperatures ranging from 23 to 36 °C and cow's liver was provided as food source. Larvae and puparia were sampled at set time intervals and measured by their length and weight. Because interpretation of forensic entomological evidence is subject to application of different techniques, development of M. scalaris is expressed herein by using developmental table, length/morphological stage diagrams and linear/nonlinear estimation methods. From the findings, it is very important to highlight that sexual dimorphism of M. scalaris during post feeding larva and pupa stage could be observed based on size and developmental periods. Mean length and weight ratios of male to female puparia are approximately 0.8 and 0.3-0.5, respectively, indicating sexual dimorphism of this species. Developmental period in female are 4.0-11.4 h (post feeding larval stage), 3.7-24.0 h (pupal stage), and 3.0-20.1 h (total developmental period) longer in male. Due to this dimorphism, PMI estimation using M. scalaris post feeding larva or puparium specimens must be carried out carefully by to avoid inaccuracy and misinterpretation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Diptera/growth & development*; Larva/growth & development; Ovum/growth & development; Pupa/growth & development
  13. Lai PL, Naidu M, Sabaratnam V, Wong KH, David RP, Kuppusamy UR, et al.
    Int J Med Mushrooms, 2013;15(6):539-54.
    PMID: 24266378
    Neurotrophic factors are important in promoting the growth and differentiation of neurons. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is essential for the maintenance of the basal forebrain cholinergic system. Hericenones and erinacines isolated from the medicinal mushroom Hericium erinaceus can induce NGF synthesis in nerve cells. In this study, we evaluated the synergistic interaction between H. erinaceus aqueous extract and exogenous NGF on the neurite outgrowth stimulation of neuroblastoma-glioma cell NG108-15. The neuroprotective effect of the mushroom extract toward oxidative stress was also studied. Aqueous extract of H. erinaceus was shown to be non-cytotoxic to human lung fibroblast MRC-5 and NG108-15 cells. The combination of 10 ng/mL NGF with 1 μg/mL mushroom extract yielded the highest percentage increase of 60.6% neurite outgrowth. The extract contained neuroactive compounds that induced the secretion of extracellular NGF in NG108-15 cells, thereby promoting neurite outgrowth activity. However, the H. erinaceus extract failed to protect NG108-15 cells subjected to oxidative stress when applied in pre-treatment and co-treatment modes. In conclusion, the aqueous extract of H. erinaceus contained neuroactive compounds which induced NGF-synthesis and promoted neurite outgrowth in NG108-15 cells. The extract also enhanced the neurite outgrowth stimulation activity of NGF when applied in combination. The aqueous preparation of H. erinaceus had neurotrophic but not neuroprotective activities.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nerve Growth Factors/pharmacology*; Nerve Growth Factor/pharmacology*; Nerve Growth Factor/secretion
  14. Abu Tahir N, Ahmad AH
    J Med Entomol, 2013 Sep;50(5):999-1002.
    PMID: 24180104
    Effects of laterite cover soil with different characteristics on survival of buried eggs, third instar larvae, and pupae of Musca domestica (L.) were studied experimentally. Soil treatments were loose dry soil, loose wet soil, compacted dry soil, and compacted wet soil (CWS). Eggs, third instar larvae, and pupae were buried under 30 cm of the different soil treatments and placed under field conditions until adults emerged. Rearing medium was provided for eggs and larvae, and control treatments of all stages were unburied immatures placed on soil surface. Egg and pupal survival to adult were significantly affected by the cover soil treatments, but third instars were more resilient. Wet soil treatments (loose wet soil and CWS) resulted in significantly reduced pupal survival, but increased survival of eggs. However, CWS significantly reduced adult emergence from buried eggs. Though emergence of house flies buried as eggs was significantly reduced, some were able to hatch and emerging first instar larvae developed to pupation. Although cover soil does not completely prevent fly emergence, it did limit development and emergence of buried house flies.
    Matched MeSH terms: Houseflies/growth & development; Larva/growth & development; Ovum/growth & development; Pupa/growth & development
  15. Zuharah WF, Fadzly N, Lester PJ
    J Med Entomol, 2013 Sep;50(5):1014-24.
    PMID: 24180106
    The presence of predators can have dramatic consequences on prey communities, not only by the direct effects of consumption but also through sublethal effects. We investigated the survival rate and subsequent life history of the mosquito Culex pervigilans Bergroth under the influence of its major predator, the backswimmer Anisops wakefieldi White. We established a field experiment with various treatments: 1) control without predators, 2) free-roaming A. wakefieldi (with one, three, or nine A. wakefieldi per container), 3) caged A. wakefieldi (empty cage without predators, with one, three, or nine A. wakefieldi in each cage, and 4) A. wakefieldi cues (with cues concentrations of one, three, or nine A. wakefieldi). Cx. pervigilans eggs were then taken from these four experimental treatments and reared in two different laboratory conditions: 1) in clean water without any traces of predators, or 2) in water with the same treatments as in field. The survival rate of Cx. pervigilans was significantly reduced by the presence of predators or their cues. Even after a brief exposure to waters containing predators or residual cues, the subsequent progeny and the ontogeny of the remaining survivors were still affected. The percentage of eggs that hatched, and the resulting mosquito population, was influenced by the presence of predators or their cues. Our results suggest that sublethal effects may be carried by surviving individuals primarily through the effects of stress, perhaps by epigenetic mechanisms. We may expect to observe similar plasticity in species or populations with high temporal or spatial variability in predation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Culex/growth & development*; Larva/growth & development; Ovum/growth & development; Pupa/growth & development
  16. Bong LJ, Neoh KB, Jaal Z, Lee CY
    J Med Entomol, 2013 Sep;50(5):1003-13.
    PMID: 24180105
    The effects of four temperatures (15, 23.5, 28, and 35 degrees C) on the biological characteristics of the rove beetle Paederus fuscipes Curtis were studied, and its cuticular permeability also was measured. Specimens successfully developed to adulthood at each temperature tested, but development time of each preadult stage significantly decreased with increasing temperature. Both egg and L1 stages required at least 80 degree days above a threshold of approximately 10 degrees C to develop to the subsequent stage. The lengthy development time and high survival rate of preadults at 15 degrees C suggests that P. fuscipes can survive in a harsh environment during cold weather by hibernating, and this ability could allow preadults to succeed ecologically in temperate countries. However, adult longevity was short, and no fecundity was recorded at 15 degrees C. At 28 degrees C, P. fuscipes exhibited a high survival rate of adults, which had a longer life span and high fecundity; thus, the population had the highest intrinsic rate of increase (0.0788 +/- 0.0051 d(-1)) and the shortest mean generation time (48.57 +/- 1.43 d) at 28 degrees C. At this temperature, the population might reach a size that could facilitate invasion into residential areas. However, in the absence of a hygric environment, P. fuscipes was unable to survive despite favorable temperature. Unlike in adults and pupae, high cuticular permeability values were found in the larval stages. This indicates that larvae are highly susceptible to desiccation, and it explains why the distribution of P. fuscipes is restricted to moist habitats.
    Matched MeSH terms: Beetles/growth & development; Larva/growth & development; Ovum/growth & development; Pupa/growth & development
  17. Wee LK, Weng SN, Raduan N, Wah SK, Ming WH, Shi CH, et al.
    PMID: 23691624
    Two insular settlements (Kampung Pulau Ketam and Kampung Sungai Lima) were selected to study the population dynamics of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, vectors of dengue and chikungunya infections. Ovitrap surveillance was conducted between October 2007 and October 2008. There was an inverse negative association between ovitrap index and rainfall at the time of collection, probably because rainfall increased the number of available oviposition sites. Rainfall and ovitrap index were positively associates the 25th day after rainfall occurred. A minor, second peak was observed from the 38th to the 42nd day. The first peak was consistent with the minimum 18-day period between the hatching of eggs to the first oviposition. The second minor peak could be due to the second gonotrophic cycle of the female mosquitoes. Rainfall is an important environmental factor associated with Aedes breeding at the study sites.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aedes/growth & development*; Insect Vectors/growth & development*; Larva/growth & development; Population Growth
  18. Takaoka H, Srisuka W, Saeung A, Otsuka Y, Choochote W
    Zootaxa, 2013;3694:280-8.
    PMID: 26312290
    Simulium (Nevermannia) khunklangense sp. nov. is described from females, males, pupae and larvae collected in Doi Inthanon National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand. This new species is placed in the vernum species-group of the subgenus Nevermannia and is similar to S. (N.) chomthongense Takaoka & Srisuka described from Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand, but is distinguished in the male by the number of enlarged upper-eye facets and the relative width of the hind basitarsus against the hind tibia and femur, and in the pupa by the short common basal stalk of the gill and the cocoon with an anterodorsal bulge or a short anterodorsal projection. Taxonomic notes are provided to separate this new species from five other known species of the vernum species-group, which share an accessory sclerite on the larval abdomen, a rare characteristics in this species-group.
    Matched MeSH terms: Animal Structures/growth & development; Larva/growth & development; Pupa/growth & development; Simuliidae/growth & development
  19. Silahuddin SA, Latif B, Kurahashi H, Walter DE, Heo CC
    J Med Entomol, 2015 Jan;52(1):9-23.
    PMID: 26336275 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tju001
    The stages of decomposition and the faunal succession on rabbit carcasses in three different habitats, namely jungle, rural, and highland areas, were studied. Three New Zealand White rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) carcasses weighing ∼2 kg were sampled daily until the decomposition process was completed. Representative specimens of adult flies, larvae, pupa, and mites were collected from the carcasses and processed in the laboratory. There were differences in decomposition rate and faunal succession between the carcasses. The fastest rate of decomposition was recorded in rural area, and the slowest rate of decomposition was recorded in highland area. The carcasses exhibited the same pattern of colonization by adult flies, but the dominant species of larvae and adult flies on each carcass in specific habitats were different. The primary species of flies recorded in jungle were Chrysomya megacephala F., Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart), Chrysomya chani Kurahashi, Chrysomya villenuevi Patton, Chrysomya nigripes Aubertin, Chrysomya pinguis (Walker), Hemipyrellia ligurriens (Wiedemann), Hemipyrellia tagaliana (Bigot), Hypopyiopsis fumipennis (Walker), Hypopygiopsis violacea (Macquart), and Hydrotaea spinigera Stein represented by both adults and larvae. Musca domestica L., Atherigona sp., Lioproctia pattoni (Senior-White), Lioproctia saprianovae Pape & Bänziger, and Seniorwhitea princeps (Wiedemann) were represented by adults only. The biodiversity of flies in the rural area were C. megacephala, C. rufifacies, H. ligurriens, Fannia canicularis L., Hydrotaea chalcogaster (Wiedemann), and Hyd. spinigera represented by both adults and larvae, meanwhile M. domestica, Atherigona sp., Boettcherisca peregrina (Robineau-Desvoidy), Parasarcophaga taenionota Wiedemann, Parasarcophaga scopariiformis Senior-White, and S. princeps were represented by adults only. The species of flies collected in the highland area were Lucilia porphyrina (Walker), C. megacephala, C. rufifacies, C. villenuevi, C. pinguis, H. ligurriens, Hyd. spinigera, Hyd. chalcogaster, F. canicularis, and Boettcherisca highlandica Kurahashi & Tan represented by both adults and larvae, whereas C. nigripes, Chrysomya thanomthini Kurahashi & Tumrasvin, M. domestica, Atherigona sp., Parasarcophaga albiceps Meigen, P. taenionota, Sepsidae, Phoridae, and Millichidae were represented by adults only. Faunal succession followed the sequence of dominant flies, i.e., Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae, Sepsidae, and lastly Stratiomyidae for jungle, or Sepsidae for rural and highland studies. Mites, from suborders Mesostigmata, Prostigmata, Astigmatina, and Oribatida, were also recovered throughout decomposition, which could be used for future implementation in forensic investigations. The data obtained from this study could provide more accurate indicators for local forensic scientists in solving criminal cases especially on the determination of time and primary location of death.
    Matched MeSH terms: Acari/growth & development; Diptera/growth & development; Larva/growth & development; Pupa/growth & development
  20. Chew SY, Cheah YK, Seow HF, Sandai D, Than LT
    Anaerobe, 2015 Aug;34:132-8.
    PMID: 26028405 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2015.05.009
    A conspicuous new concept of pathogens living as the microbial societies in the human host rather than free planktonic cells has raised considerable concerns among scientists and clinicians. Fungal biofilms are communities of cells that possess distinct characteristic such as increased resistance to the immune defence and antimycotic agents in comparison to their planktonic cells counterpart. Therefore, inhibition of the biofilm may represent a new paradigm for antifungal development. In this study, we aim to evaluate the in vitro modulation of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC)-causing Candida glabrata biofilms using probiotic lactobacilli strains. Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 were shown to have completely inhibited C. glabrata biofilms and the results were corroborated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which revealed scanty structures of the mixed biofilms of C. glabrata and probiotic lactobacilli strains. In addition, biofilm-related C. glabrata genes EPA6 and YAK1 were downregulated in response to the probiotic lactobacilli challenges. The present study suggested that probiotic L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 strains inhibited C. glabrata biofilm by partially impeding the adherence of yeast cells and the effect might be contributed by the secretory compounds produced by these probiotic lactobacilli strains. Further investigations are required to examine and identify the biofilm inhibitory compounds and the mechanism of probiotic actions of these lactobacilli strains.
    Matched MeSH terms: Biofilms/growth & development*; Candida glabrata/growth & development; Lactobacillus reuteri/growth & development*; Lactobacillus rhamnosus/growth & development*
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