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Three new species of the genus Cicurina Menge, 1871 from Chongqing, China (Araneae, Cicurinidae)
No full textThree new species of the spider genus Cicurina Menge, 1871, C. jinyun sp. nov. (♂♀), C. yinhe sp. nov. (♂♀) and C. zhangfui sp. nov. (♂), are described from Chongqing, China. Morphological descriptions, photographs, and illustrations of copulatory organs are provided. The number of documented Cicurina species in Chongqing increases from 10 to 13
Favipiravir-indomethacin interaction and its impact on their solid-state character
No full textFavipiravir is an antiviral agent, a weak acid, and slightly soluble in water, while indomethacin is a weak basic compound and a poorly water-soluble anti-inflammatory drug. This study aimed to combine the two drugs as an eutectics mixture system to enhance their physicochemical properties. The study began with a phase diagram constructed from thermal analyses using electrothermal data, elaborated with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and electron microscopic observation. The mixture was then evaluated for its solubility characteristics. The unique profile of the phase diagram indicated a melting point lower than those of the starting materials, at 144 °C, observed at a 1:2 molar ratio of favipiravir–indomethacin. DSC also showed a single endothermic curve at the same temperature. Subsequently, the PXRD and FTIR data revealed no new physical or chemical phases, confirming a simple eutectic interaction between the antiviral and anti-inflammatory agents, which is rare in drug–drug interactions. However, the solubility tests showed significant improvement, particularly for indomethacin, which exhibited up to a 100-fold increase in solubility. The change in particle form and size was predicted as the mechanism responsible for the increased solubility, which was then confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Imaging confirmed that favipiravir coats the surface of indomethacin, reducing interfacial tension. Smaller particle sizes are likely to increase surface area and solubility, potentially enhancing bioavailability and accelerating the onset of action. These findings support the development of a solid-state antiviral–anti-inflammatory drug combination
A new revision of the lichen genus Pleopsidium (Acarosporales, Acarosporaceae) in China reveals two new species
No full textBased on a combination of morphological, chemical, and phylogenetic analyses, we present a new revision of the lichen genus Pleopsidium in China. Pleopsidium tumidulum sp. nov. and P. corrugatulum sp. nov. are proposed as new species to science, both included in a distinctive clade (clade 1) together with P. gobiense. These three species are characterized by the absence of fatty acids, acaranoic and acarenoic acids, and share similar ecological traits. In contrast, species containing fatty acids, including Pleopsidium flavum, P. chlorophanum, and P. discurrens, constitute a separate clade (clade 2). Fresh specimens of Pleopsidium discurrens were collected from the type locality, Yulong Snow Mountain, and molecular data were generated to confirm the phylogenetic position of the species. Our study additionally reveals substantial morphological variation in this species. New collections and sequences of Pleopsidium gobiense from Hami City, the type locality, are provided, from which a neotype is designated, confirming its phylogenetic position. Differences in morphology, anatomy, chemistry, and ecology among Pleopsidium species from China are discussed. A key and several phylograms are provided
Discovery of a new skink of the genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata, Scincidae) from Guizhou Province, China
No full textScincella potanini was long considered the only species of the genus Scincella recorded in Guizhou Province, China. This study describes a new species of the genus Scincella, Scincella qianica sp. nov., from Guizhou, China, based on an integrative taxonomic approach combining molecular and morphological data. The new species can be distinguished from all known congeners by the following combination of morphological characters: (1) medium body size in adults (SVL length up to 44.8 mm); (2) tail relatively long, TAL/SVL ratio 1.76–2.14 in original tail specimens; (3) toes not in contact with fingers when limbs adpressed; (4) infralabials six to seven; (5) supraciliaries six, rarely seven; (6) tympanum deeply sunk, without lobules; (7) primary temporal one; (8) three pairs of nuchals; (9) midbody scale row counts 26; (10) paravertebral scale row counts 61–66; (11) ventral scale row counts 46–53; (12) 9–10 enlarged lamellae beneath finger IV, and 13–14 beneath toe IV; (13) dark dorsolateral stripes with relatively straight upper edge, extending from the tip of snout to the end of tail, with 1/2+4+1/2 rows of dorsal scales in the middle; (14) ventral surface covered with discontinuous black longitudinal stripes. In the phylogenetic analyses, the new species was nested within a highly supported lineage, forming a sister taxon with S. alia, and exhibits at least 15.8% genetic divergence from other congeners based on the mitochondrial CO1 gene
Explanatory Data Science in Technology Applications
No full textThis volume presents a conference paper selection from the 4th Workshop on Collaborative Technologies and Data Science in Smart City Applications (CODASSCA 2024): Data Science and Reliable Machine Learning, held in Yerevan, Armenia, October 3-6, 2024, https://codassca2024.aua.am/. The special issues guest editors invited five groups of authors from Armenia, Chile, Germany, the UK, and the USA to submit enlarged versions of their CODASSCA 2024 papers There was also a J.UCS open call so that any author could submit papers on the highlighted subjects. The invitation to review the 16 contributions received was accepted by 16 experts, and, after three rounds, seven articles were finally accepted for publication in the special issue
Pediatric tracheotomy: insights from a single-center study
No full textIntroduction: Over the years, pediatric tracheotomy has evolved significantly, and ongoing debates regarding its indications, timing, surgical techniques, and decannulation protocols persist. In most cases, management decisions are based on the medical team’s clinical experience and existing literature, as there are no universally accepted guidelines. Aim: This study aims to present our experience with pediatric tracheostomies and compare our results with those reported in the international literature. Patients and methods: Over the past few years, 18 pediatric tracheotomies were performed at the ENT Clinic at St George University Hospital in Plovdiv due to various chronic conditions. All procedures were planned due to disease progression. Results: The surgical interventions were completed without complications in all cases. Eight patients underwent permanent tracheostomy, while ten underwent temporary tracheostomy. Three children were successfully decannulated. Conclusion: Pediatric tracheotomy is a relatively rare surgical procedure with an estimated incidence rate of 6.6 per 100,000, according to the literature. Despite extensive research on the topic, several aspects of planned pediatric tracheotomy remain under discussion and require further clarification
An integrative analysis and account of two new species of Dugesia (Platyhelminthes, Tricladida, Dugesiidae) from the Hengduan Mountains, southwest China, with reflections on the historical biogeography of Eastern Palearctic/Oriental lineages
No full textTwo new species of the genus Dugesia from southwest China are described using an integrative approach based on morphological, histological, and molecular data. Dugesia patula Chen & Dong, sp. nov. is characterized by the following features: symmetrical openings of the oviducts into the bursal canal; vasa deferentia opening symmetrically into the mid-lateral portion of the seminal vesicle; a large and pointed diaphragm; a short duct between the seminal vesicle and diaphragm; and a very broad, short ejaculatory duct with a very wide opening at the tip of the penis papilla. Dugesia postica Chen & Dong, sp. nov., is characterized by the following features: symmetrical openings of the oviducts into the bursal canal; a small penis bulb; a large and long penis papilla with a slightly larger dorsal lip and a small ventral lip; a long connecting duct between the seminal vesicle and diaphragm; a small diaphragm located near the tip of the penis papilla; and an extremely short ejaculatory duct. In the molecular phylogenetic tree, the two new species share a sister-group relationship and fall within an eastern Palearctic/Oriental clade of conspecifics. The distinct specific status of these two new species is also supported by their genetic distances. Through a multi-gene concatenated phylogenetic analysis, this study, for the first time, elucidates the evolutionary relationships among the Oriental, eastern Palearctic, and Australasian groups, enabling the development of a hypothesis on the potential dispersal routes of Dugesia into the eastern Palearctic region
Revision of Lathonura rectirostris (O.F. Müller, 1785) (Anomopoda, Macrothricidae) leads to translocation of East Asian populations to a separate species, Lathonura bekkerae sp. nov.
No full textThe family Macrothricidae (Branchiopoda: Anomopoda) remains one of the least studied groups of water fleas (Cladocera). One of macrothricids with an unclear phylogenetic status is Lathonura Lilljeborg, 1853 comprising a single universally accepted valid species, L. rectirostris (O.F. Müller, 1785). Despite its wide distribution in the Northern Hemisphere, no studies were conducted to prove conspecificity of L. rectirostris from different regions and properly describe its gamogenetic stages. Here, the morphological and genetic diversity of Lathonura in the Holarctic is revised. Our results show that in East Eurasia and Alaska a separate species of the genus occurs, L. bekkerae sp. nov., which differs from L. rectirostris s. str. by the posteroventral valve armature, structure of antenna I, and ephippium ornamentation. Mitochondrial DNA barcoding supports separation of L. bekkerae sp. nov. and reveals a deeply divergent clade of L. rectirostris s. l. in Canada, for which parthenogenetic females are morphologically indistinct from those of L. rectirostris s. str. Lathonura distribution fits well to the known patterns of Anomopoda biogeography. Males of Lathonura possess two additional setae at antenna II basipodite, P1 with a subdistal lobe lacking setae, P1 IDL with a hook and an additional seta, and an unmodified postabdomen. As noted in some previous studies, Lathonura likely represents a phylogenetic lineage distinct from the subfamily Macrothricinae, differing from most macrothricines by the absence of Fryer’s fork at P1 inner endite anterior setae and presence of P1 accessory seta. However, the phylogenetic position of the genus and its diversity in South Eurasia, Africa, and North America requires further studies
Detection of compounds in the essential oil and extract of Lycium shawii: Investigation on their anticancer, antimicrobial, antibiofilm and anti-efflux activities
No full textThe tendency has been increasing toward the use of plant secondary metabolites to limit the side-effects of antibiotics and bacterial drug resistance. The present research aimed to investigate the essential oil of Lycium shawii and to explore its antimicrobial effect. The essential oil was extracted in ethanol and its antimicrobial activity was investigated by the disk diffusion method in order to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The anti-biofilm, and anti-efflux effects of the essential oil were investigated by the microplate method, and by determining the MIC of ethidium bromide, respectively. The expression level of biofilm and efflux-associated genes, including bap, abeM, and adeB in Acinetobacter baumannii treated or not with the essential oil was evaluated by the real-time PCR method. The inhibitory effect of the essential oil on the propagation and viability of MCF-9 cells was studied by the 3’-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. The diameter of the zone of inhibition varied between 14–44 mm and the MIC values against tested bacteria ranged between 3.12–25 mg mL-1. The expression levels of bap, abeM, and adeB were significantly reduced in treated vs untreated bacteria. The IC50 was 4.66 mg L–1 for the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. The essential oil of L. shawii has antimicrobial activity and influences the clinical isolates of the bacteria, as well as exerting an inhibitory effect on the MCF-7 cell line
The cavernicolous freshwater prawn in China, with description of two new species (Decapoda, Palaemonidae, Macrobrachium)
No full textThe karst area in southern China is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot for cave-dwelling organisms. However, the research of the cavernicolous species of the prawn genus Macrobrachium remains limited. This study aims to explore the species boundaries and diversity of this group and infer its phylogeny using an integrative approach. Molecular species delimitation analyses revealed five species excluding M. elegantum, for which molecular data were unavailable. Genetic gaps were observed among these species, with high interspecific distances (8.90%–27.43% for COI and 1.91%–9.63% for 16S) and low intraspecific distances (maximum 3.98% for COI and 0.47% for 16S). In contrast, morphological taxonomy identified three species and one species complex, which comprises three cryptic species. As a result, a total of six species were identified, including two new species, i.e. Macrobrachium guizhouense sp. nov. and M. parvum sp. nov. Among them, M. tenuipes and M. parvum sp. nov. are likely to be stygophiles, while the remaining species are likely to be stygobites. The phylogenetic trees based on (COI + 16S) revealed that these cave-dwelling species are polyphyletic, indicating the multiple independent cave invasions in the evolutionary history of this genus. Finally, these cavernicolous species exhibit opposite sexual dimorphism compared to epigean congeners, with females being larger than males. This may imply that they adopt a “pure search” mating mode. The findings enhance our understanding of the biodiversity and evolutionary history of subterranean Macrobrachium and provide fundamental data for the conservation of subterranean biodiversity