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A new species of the genus Plagiostomum (Platyhelminthes, Prolecithophora, Plagiostomidae), with description of its reproductive and developmental characteristics
No full textA new species of marine flatworm of the genus Plagiostomum is described from the intertidal zone along the coast of South China, based on comprehensive morphology, histology, reproductive biology, and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Plagiostomum aestuarium has a blunt anterior end with a small tentacle-like structure and a dark-brown patch covering the brain region. A pair of testes and a pair of ovaries are separated. The testes are located ventrally, while the ovaries are distributed from the vitellaria towards the testes. The vitellaria are separated at the anterior end, merge at the dorsal part of the intestine, and separate again at the posterior end on both sides of the intestine. The penis is encased in a well-developed penis sheath. The proximal part of the penis is coiled within the distal sac, and the distal part of the penis is relatively short. In light of the distinctive characteristics that distinguish this new species, we have classified it within the genus Plagiostomum (Platyhelminthes: Prolecithophora: Plagiostomidae). The phylogenetic tree constructed based on the concatenated datasets of 18S rDNA and 28S rDNA revealed that P. aestuarium is closely related to other Plagiostomum species. Furthermore, this study provides a comprehensive account of the distinctive reproductive biology of P. aestuarium and, for the first time, elucidates the function of the penis sheath structure during hypodermic insemination. This new finding could potentially serve as a new classification criterion for species within the family Plagiostomidae
Fargesia nana (Poaceae, Bambusoideae), a new bamboo species from Yunnan, China
No full textFargesia nana (Bambusoideae), a new bamboo species is described and illustrated from Wuding County, Yunnan, China. Based on careful comparison of morphological features and molecular phylogeny evidence, we confirmed its identity as a new member of the genus Fargesia. The morphology of this new species is similar to F. fractiflexa and Yushania polytricha, but differs in its ratio of culm leaf sheath length to internode length, shape of blade, foliage leaf dimensions, and distinct transverse veins. Hitherto, this new species is the smallest of Fargesia species found and recorded. According to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2024), it meets the criteria to be listed as Critically Endangered (CR)
New records of the colonial chrysophyte Urostipulosphaera articulata (Chrysophyceae, Ochromonadales) in China
No full textThe genus Urostipulosphera was established in 2019. Its morphological characteristics are similar to Uroglena and Uroglenopsis, but it differs from both. This genus connects individual cells into communities through a dichotomous branching structure, which distinguishes it from Uroglena and Uroglenopsis. Although there are nine species in this genus, molecular data are available for only four species. Molecular data and species distribution records for Urostipulosphaera are severely lacking. Species of this genus have been recorded in a few locations in Europe and North America.We identified three samples that were discovered in Shanxi Province, China, based on morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analysis. Results of the polygenic phylogenetic tree, based on SSU, rbcL and ITS sequences, showed that the three samples were clustered with Urostipulosphaera articulata U5-5 from Czechia, with a high support rate of 100/1.00. Morphological observations further supported this result. Therefore, the three samples were identified as Urostipulosphaera articulata. This is the first report in China and enriches the geographic diversity of this species. Moreover, we found the long flagellum with mastigonemes under the scanning electron microscope complementing the description of the morphological characteristics of this species. The ITS2 secondary structure of the specimens differed from that of Urostipulosphaera articulata U5-5, which exhibited a loop and five-arm structure. A Bayesian relaxed clock analysis indicated that the genus Urostipulosphaera originated in the Early Cretaceous, approximately 109.85 million years ago (Ma) and diverged into two clades around 79.81 Ma
Preliminary laboratory evaluation of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. for the control of Necrobia rufipes (De Geer) on stored copra
No full textThis study investigates the efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) in controlling Necrobia rufipes (De Geer) (Coleoptera: Cleridae), a significant pest responsible for economic losses in copra production, aiming to determine the effective concentration required to achieve substantial mortality and reduce copra damage in storage systems. Employing a completely randomized design with five treatments and three replications, the research assessed B. bassiana concentrations (10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%) on N. rufipes mortality and copra weight loss across pest population sizes ranging from 8 to 24 adults, with mortality recorded weekly over one month and weight loss measured after one month. Data analysis using analysis of variance, followed by a least significant difference test and probit analysis, revealed mortality rates from 14.67% (±2.31%) at 10% concentration to 69.33% (±3.79%) at 30%, with an LC50 of 23.611% (±1.12%), while copra weight loss increased from 1.33 g (±0.15 g) with 8 adults to 6.87 g (±0.42 g) with 21 adults, strongly correlating with pest density. These findings demonstrate that B. bassiana effectively reduces N. rufipes populations, with higher concentrations enhancing control, and the identified LC50 provides a practical application threshold, underscoring the influence of pest population size on copra weight loss and the need for timely intervention. This approach offers a sustainable, biological strategy to protect copra, potentially minimizing economic losses in tropical storage systems
Novel spirooxindole compounds as anticancer agents: targeting Plk4 kinase through design, synthesis, and molecular docking
No full textPlk4 plays a crucial role in controlling the duplication of centrioles and initiating the creation of centrosomes. Disruption of Plk4 leads to aneuploidy and chromosome instability, contributing to aggressive cancers, as well as microcephaly and fatal ciliopathies in children. To effectively treat cancer, it is essential to develop potent Plk4 kinase inhibitors, which are promising anticancer agents due to their ability to induce cancer cell death and selectively target centrosome amplification. This paper examines the molecular design tools and efficient synthesis of novel spirooxindole compounds with anticancer properties, potentially mediated by Plk4 kinase suppression and consequent centrosome reduction. A potential anticancer mechanism was investigated by docking the most effective spirooxindoles into the Plk4 kinase ATPase binding site (PDB code: 4JXF, resolution: 2.40 Å). Compounds 4b and 4i showed the highest inhibition against the Caco2 and HCT116 cell lines, with IC₅₀ values of 68 and 63 µM and 55 and 51 µM, respectively. Their LibDock scores were 110.12 and 109.1, suggesting that their anticancer activity may result from Plk4 enzyme inhibition. Notably, these compounds exhibited a high safety margin, with fibroblast cell line inhibition above 1000 µM. In conclusion, these findings support the potential of spirooxindole derivatives as selective and safe Plk4 inhibitors, offering a promising avenue for targeted cancer therapy with minimal toxicity to normal cells. Graphical abstract
A new Dichotrachelus Stierlin from Val Grande (Piemonte, Italy) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) with comments on biogeography and evolution of high alpine species of the genus
No full textDichotrachelus sonjae sp. nov. was discovered in a cold north-exposed scree slope in the Togano ridge area in Piemonte North of Val Grande. It is described and compared with the most similar species. Based on morphology and molecular data presented here, Dichotrachelus lepontinus Osella, 1971, distributed from Piemonte in Italy (Monte Rosa) eastwards to the Misox mountains of Switzerland, is its sister species. Dichotrachelus meregallii Osella, 1971 is another closely related species. Phylogeographic and biogeographical considerations on the development of that particularly lithophilous and high alpine living group of Dichotrachelus are presented
Medicinal products under additional monitoring: a comparative analysis of market access
No full textIntroduction: In 2010, the European Union (EU) introduced new pharmacovigilance legislation that established an additional monitoring (AM) measure for certain medicines following their marketing authorization. Since 2013, a black inverted triangle (▼), accompanied by a brief explanatory sentence, has been displayed on their leaflet and in the summary of product characteristics. This symbol is uniformly used across all EU member states to indicate medicines subject to AM. Aim: To analyze the medicines under AM listed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and compare them with those available on the pharmaceutical market in Bulgaria. Material and methods: A descriptive analysis was performed on the EMA’s list of medicines under AM as of February 23, 2024 (EMA/245297/2013 Rev. 119). Additionally, the study assessed the market access and affordability of these medicines in Bulgaria by examining their inclusion in the Positive Drug List (PDL). Public electronic registers of the National Council on Prices and Reimbursement of Medicinal Products in Bulgaria were used for this analysis. Results: The EMA’s list comprised a total of 358 medicines, of which 90 were available on the Bulgarian pharmaceutical market as of February 2024. The analysis revealed that the majority of these medicines were new active substances (n=27, 30%), new biologicals (n=12, 13.3%), and medicines requiring post-authorization safety studies, PASS (n=21, 23.3%). Conclusion: Notably, only 25% of medicines under AM authorized in the EU were marketed in Bulgaria, with a significant proportion of these being new active substances, particularly in therapeutic areas such as oncology, hematology, and neurology
Ichthyofauna (Osteichthyes, Actinopterygii) from tributaries of the Beni and Mamoré rivers in the Llanos de Moxos wetland of the Bolivian Amazon
No full textWe conducted ichthyological surveys in the Biata, Geneshuaya, Benicito, and Yata Rivers, as well as Dos Naciones Lagoon. We recorded 182 species, including new records for Bolivia, such as Jupiaba citrina Zanata & Ohara, 2009, Moenkhausia melogramma Eigenmann, 1908, Spinipterus cf. acsi Akama & Ferraris, 2011, Tatia cf. gyrina (Eigenmann & Allen, 1942), Cetopsidium orientale (Vari, Ferraris & Keith, 2003), Nemuroglanis cf. furcatus Ribeiro, Pedroza & Rapp Py‑Daniel, 2011, and Batrochoglanis melanurus Shibatta & Pavanelli, 2005. Most of these species, reported for the first time in Bolivia, were previously collected in black‑clear water streams located in the Upper Amazon and/or the lowlands around the Guiana Shield and Brazilian Shield, far from the study area.
Unveiling new species of Phragmidiaceae (Basidiomycota, Pucciniales) on rosaceous plants from Guizhou, China
No full textRust fungi associated with Rubus were collected across diverse locations in Guizhou Province, and three new species – Gerwasia amphidasydis on Rubus amphidasys, Phragmidium coreanicola on Rubus coreanus, and Phragmidium parvifolius on Rubus parvifolius are introduced. These novel species are described based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the ITS and LSU loci. Additionally, Gerwasia rubi-setchuenensis is introduced as a new host record on Rubus buergeri. The study includes comprehensive morpho-anatomical descriptions, detailed illustrations, and a phylogenetic tree, providing insights into the taxonomic placement and relationships of these novel taxa within their respective lineages
Influence of homogenization methods on lichen species detection from environmental DNA metabarcoding
No full textEnvironmental DNA (eDNA) techniques are increasingly employed in biodiversity monitoring of aquatic and terrestrial animals, plants, and fungi, holding great potential to revolutionize biodiversity assessments. However, sampling and basic laboratory protocols still require refinement to optimize eDNA metabarcoding performance. Homogenization as a pre-treatment for eDNA extraction is known to enhance the concentration and quality of extracted eDNA for some groups of organisms. We previously developed a simple and efficient method for capturing arboreal biodiversity using stemflow as a source of eDNA; however, its performance with or without homogenization had not yet been compared. In this study, we evaluated the performance of two different homogenization methods using eDNA metabarcoding and qPCR assays. Metabarcoding analyses revealed that the method without homogenization detected the fewest species, while nearly identical and higher numbers of species were detected in samples subjected to bead-beating and frozen bead-beating homogenization. Similarly, qPCR analyses revealed that the method without homogenization yielded the lowest DNA concentration, while nearly identical and higher DNA yields were observed for bead-beating and frozen bead-beating homogenization. These findings suggest that, considering cost and effort, the bead-beating method without freezing is the most advantageous