Volume 72, Issue 10

The life-long persistence of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) in latent reservoirs is a major hurdle in the eradication of HIV-1, even though highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can be effective in reducing the plasma HIV-1 RNA to less than 50 copies per mL, which is below the detection limit of most clinical assays. In the latent reservoirs the provirus is integrated in the host genome but does not actively replicate and thus is not inhibited by HAART or recognized by the host immune system. There has been increasing scientific interest and investment into research towards HIV cure due to the challenges and limitation of life long treatment. The various strategies that have been developed aim to activate gene expression in HIV latent cells which might lead to the elimination of the virus by HAART or the immune system. In this review we discuss latency and therapeutic approaches that are being evaluated to eradicate HIV latently infected cells to overcome the burden of life long HAART. In addition, we explore the possibility of delivering HAART in latently infected cells using femtosecond laser pulses, a topic closely studied in our research.

Schistosomiasis is the most prevalent neglected tropical disease, which causes a serious health problem in low-income tropical and sub-tropical countries, especially in deprived communities. More than 90% of people suffering from schistosomiasis live in sub-Saharan Africa, where blood flukes Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium are the most prevalent causes of this infection. Primary health care facilities situated in rural regions of Africa – as first contact places for patients suffering from “diseases of poverty”, resulting from lack of clean water and sanitation system – may assist in better diagnosis and management of schistosomiasis. The diagnosis of schistosomiasis is mainly based on microscopic detection of parasite eggs in the excreta (urine or stool), immunodiagnostic assays or DNA-based techniques. However, only some of them are adaptable for primary health care situations. Moreover, most microscopic methods as well as immunodiagnostic assays for Schistosoma antigen detection lack sensitivity in the diagnosis of light infections with low egg output, e.g., in schistosomiasis-endemic areas where mass drug administration programs have been implemented. To improve detection of schistosomiasis in these areas highly sensitive, easy-to-perform and cost-effective methods are needed. The objective of this article is, therefore, to put together reliable diagnostic techniques for schistosomiasis detection, applicable to primary health care facilities in rural regions of Africa. With appropriate tools, these places of first contact between patient and health care workers could contribute to the better identification of population at risk, and improve morbidity or efficacy of preventive measures.

Geranium , section Dissecta , (Geraniaceae) consists of four species in the world. It is believed that the center of diversification of this section is Eurasia. G . dissectum is the only species of this section in northern parts of Iran. A multivariate morphometric study showed that some quantitative characters such as deeply divided leaves, shorter and narrower petals, and shorter filaments are main diagnostic features of G . dissectum . This tannin-rich plant has many uses in folk medicine. There is no information on its population genetic structure, genetic diversity, and morphological variability in Iran. Due to the medicinal and weed importance of this species, a genetic variability and populations’ structure study is performed studying 21 geographical populations of G . dissectum . Perhaps the most important biological challenge today is the conservation of biodiversity. Populations were studied from morphological and genetic (ISSR) points of views. Both intra and inter-population morphological and genetic variability was observed in the studied accessions. ANOVA and CVA tests revealed significant morphological difference among populations. Similarly, AMOVA and Hickory tests revealed significant molecular difference among geographical populations. Mantel test produced significant positive correlation between genetic and geographical distance of the studied populations. Networking, STRUCTURE analyses and population assignment test revealed some degree of gene flow among these populations. Consensus tree based on morphological and genetic data separated some of these populations from the others suggesting the existence of ecotypes within this species.

Halophytes have developed a variety of adaptations to cope with excessive salt and other environmental constraints. These have resulted in altered leaf traits that affect the leaf optical properties and energy balance. In halophytes, there is often salt on the leaf surface due to salt aerosols and salt excretion from glandular cells. After examining the effects of the natural salt deposition on the leaf surface on the leaf light reflectance and transmittance, we defined the relationship between different leaf traits and the leaf optical properties in four halophytes ( Atriplex prostrata , Atriplex portulacoides , Crithmum maritimum , and Limonium angustifolium ). They differed significantly in the amount of naturally deposited salt on their leaves (range, 0.50–7.55 mg cm −2 ) and in the majority of the measured leaf traits. Differences were most pronounced for epidermal layer thickness, dry mass per leaf volume, and amount of UV-absorbing compounds. For the leaf optical properties, the salt on the leaf surface significantly reduced transmittance of UV, violet, and blue wavelengths. Redundancy analysis indicated that leaf upper epidermis thickness and leaf surface salt explained 58% and 7%, respectively, of the variability of the measured reflectance spectra. Leaf surface salt was particularly important for short wavelengths, explaining 35% of the reflectance variability in the UV region, and 20% in the violet and blue regions. The majority of the transmittance spectra variability was explained by leaf pigment content. These data reveal that leaf surface salt can function as a UV screen, to filter out potentially damaging short-wave radiation.

Guard cells can integrate and process multiple complex signals from the environment and respond by opening and closing stomata in order to adapt to the environmental conditions changing. Over the past several years, considerable research progress has been made in our understanding of the role of calcium (Ca 2+ ), nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) as essential signal molecules that mediate abscisic acid (ABA)-induced stomatal closure. However, the sequence or epistasis of signaling cascade elements remains unknown. Here, we report that there are some relationships between extracellular Ca 2+ induced cytosolic free Ca 2+ increases (CICI) and ABA signal transduction in guard cell. ABA-induced stomatal closure in CASas mutant indicates that CAS activity is not required for ABA-induced stomatal closure, while exogenous Ca 2+ failed to induce stomatal closure in CASas mutant and ABA-insensitive mutant, abi1 and abi2 , indicating that extracellular Ca 2+ -induced stomatal closure via CAS requires some components of ABA signal pathway in guard cells. Hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), as a secondary messenger in the ABA-induced stomatal closure pathway, could not induce stomatal closure in CASas guard cells, it indicates that the functional CAS is required for H 2 O 2 to induce stomatal closure. Nitric oxide (NO), another component of ABA-induced stomatal closure pathway, could induce stomatal closure in CASas guard cells while NO overproduction mutant- nox1 did not respond to exogenous high Ca 2+ , this demonstrates that NO acts downstream of CAS. Our results on the analysis of various Arabidopsis mutants indicate that NO and H 2 O 2 maybe the points of connection between CICI and ABA signaling cascade in guard cell.

The effects of different plasmid DNA densities, different varieties, and transformation solution components on the pollen-tube pathway method of transformation were investigated in tomato Solanum Lycopersicum varieties Zhongshu 6, Liaoyuanduoli, and Jinguan 9 using the transformation indicator Yellow Cameleon 3.6 (YC3.6) vector carrying the phosphinothricin (PPT) resistance gene and a YELLOW FLUORESCENT PROTEIN ( YFP ) fluorescence gene. Firstly, PPT resistance screening was conducted at the seed stage, and in vivo fluorescence imaging and fluorescence microscopy analysis were carried out to select positive transformants. Transgenic tomato plants were then confirmed by PCR and Southern and western blot analyses. The reliability of the reporting system was further confirmed by examining calcium ion dynamics in transgenic plants. The results showed that plasmid DNA density and transformation solution components significantly correlated with the fruit set ratio but genotype did not. A transformation solution with a plasmid DNA concentration of 600 ng μL −1 and containing 5% sucrose and 0.05% Silwet-L-77 was found to be the optimal combination, resulting in the highest fruit set ratio and transformation efficiency. Using the YC3.6 vector as an indicator we have developed a system to quickly and accurately screen transgenic plants using in vivo imaging and fluorescence microscopy. These advancements, combined its tissue-culture independent nature, make the pollen-tube pathway an effective and affordable method of transferring exogenous genes into tomato plants.

Plants naturally produce secondary metabolites on exposure to abiotic/biotic stress. Production of secondary metabolites, like phenols or flavonoids, is a defence mechanism against different stresses. This study explores the influence of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on the growth and secondary metabolites of in vitro grown tissues of zero calorie sweetener, Stevia rebaudiana . An efficient regeneration of this valuable plant under the influence of PGRs was conducted, and quantification of physiology parameters, steviol glycosides (SGs) and various antioxidant activities in callus, shoots and regenerated plants was performed. Significantly highest explant response was achieved by 2 mg/L of 6-benzyl aminopurine (BAP) and 0.5 mg/L of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) combination in case of callogenesis, while shoot and root organogenesis was best illustrated by control and 0.5 mg/L of indole acetic acid (IAA) treatment, respectively. Regarding SGs formation in leaves, significantly greater content (2.07% and 0.93%) was obtained by control in case of rebaudioside A (Reb A) and 2 mg/L of BAP in case of stevioside (ST). Leaves of rooted-shoots produced significantly highest Reb A (4.21%) and ST (2.22%) content in case of 1 mg/L of IAA and 0.25 mg/L of IAA inoculation in Murashige and Skoog growth medium, respectively. Similarly, differential effects of PGRs were elucidated in case of all in vitro grown tissues on antioxidant properties. The study concludes that secondary metabolites can be efficiently produced in in vitro culture so can be employed in bioreactors.

Pectinatella magnifica (Leidy, 1851) (phylum Ectoprocta) is an invasive species that is spread in many areas of the world. Its significant attribute is the production of large colonies formed by a specific gelatinous matrix which is usually occupied by microorganisms such as bacteria, algae, and cyanobacteria. This work compares the matrix characteristics of P . magnifica from five (in more details from two) locations according to the established criteria: A+B – thin layer (film) or translucent matrix (no contamination with algae and/or bacteria), C – slightly contaminated (discoloration) base, D – compact matrix, internal contamination (green, red, blue), E+F – disintegrating matrix, with a cavity, heavily contaminated (coloration), or without surface texture (inactive colony). Significant differences were identified both in the occurrence of described matrix types, and in the size and shape of P . magnifica colonies in each location.

The relative growth and the reproductive cycle of Cardites antiquatus (L., 1758) from the Bizerte channel (northern Tunisia) were investigated from July 2008 to June 2009. Individuals presented a broad size range, with shell length ranging between 8 and 37 mm. The study of the species relative growth revealed that shell thickness, total wet weight, shell dry weight, soft tissues dry weight and visceral mass dry weight grow proportionally faster than shell length throughout ontogeny. The species reproductive cycle was described and followed through the calculation of the condition index, gonadosomatic index and histological analyses of the gonads. This hermaphroditic species has three spawning periods: gamete emission with low intensity from July to August, an important emission but shorter in time from October to November and an extended spawning period, comprehended from February until June. Being the first study focusing on C . antiquatus in Tunisian waters, it greatly improves the current knowledge on the relative growth and reproductive cycle of this species, thus providing valuable baseline information in a hypothetical scenario of commercial exploitation of this species for seafood.

Tegolophus glycyglabri Lotfollahi, Hayatolgheyb & Jafari sp. n. is described from Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Leguminosae) in Hatamvand village, Lorestan province, Iran. This is the third eriophyoid mite and the first Tegolophus species described from the plant species of the genus Glycyrrhiza .

The study presents data on the karyotype characteristics and features of chromosomal polymorphism of Chironomus luridus Strenzke, 1959 (Diptera: Chironomidae) from several Caucasian populations (Central and Northwest Caucasus). Eight banding sequences were found in the Caucasian populations. Inversion polymorphism was observed only in arm C. The genetic distances between all the studied populations of C . luridus were calculated using Nei criteria. The studied Caucasian populations are generally closest to Asian populations. However, most of the Caucasian populations (Northwest Caucasus) form their own separate cluster. The principal component analysis (PCA) shows a similar picture. Two of the Caucasian populations do not follow Hardy-Weinberg expectation, bearing a marked deficiency of lur C1.2 heterozygotes, arguably, due to negative selection of heterozygotes. All the obtained data are indicative of relative remoteness of the Northwest Caucasian populations from the previously studied ones and total complexity of the entire Caucasus from the microevolution standpoint.

Our study determines the reptile species richness, composition, and habitat use in three areas recovering from mining activity in addition to the adjacent pristine and anthropized areas of a priority region for biodiversity conservation of the Brazilian Cerrado. We also compared our data with published surveys on the Cerrado domain in order to identify areas with unique species composition and/or areas where the reptile composition is more homogeneous. The survey was conducted in the municipality of Niquelândia, northern Goiás state, central Brazil, and involved reptile samplings from different physiognomies and water bodies. We found 47 species, including one crocodilian, one chelonian, two amphisbaenians, 17 lizards, and 26 snakes. The list includes 37 species with large geographic distribution, occurring in other morphoclimatic domains, as well as 10 species which are endemic to the Cerrado. Some species recorded for the region are listed in the Appendices I and II of the CITES. Many reptile species were frequently associated with anthropogenic habitats, while others seem to depend on remnants of pristine habitats. Low similarity was found among the 32 sites considered across the Cerrado domain. Ten sites located in Cerrado regions in contact with the adjacent domains have unique reptile composition, whereas most sites largely located in the central area of the domain have reptile communities which are more homogeneous among them. It is important to conduct long-term studies to have patterns of reptile species composition recognized as well as population decline and/or local extinctions and effective reptile conservation actions, with focus on these sites considering their unique species.

The spread of alien invasive plants deserves strong and applied attention by conservation biologists, because it is regarded as one of the main causes of loss of native biodiversity. Herbivore species may be involved in the dispersal of invasive plants through zoochory. The Jerusalem artichoke Helianthus tuberosus is an invasive species in Europe, which has been introduced from North America and has shown a rapid spread in newly colonized areas. Crested porcupine Hystrix cristata mainly feed on this species (seeds and tubers) during its flowering period (i.e., late summer, early autumn) and it is suggested to be responsible for its spread through endozoochory. In this paper, the germination rate of the Jerusalem artichoke from faecal pellets of crested porcupines was analysed. Faecal pellets, collected between September and November 2016, were left to germinate at environmental conditions in sterile potting soil. After two weeks, germinated seedlings were genetically identified through DNA barcoding analyses. We reported the first case of endozoochory by the crested porcupine. The results showed a low germination rate (i.e., 16.7% out of 12 excrements), possibly because the digestive tract of crested porcupines affects the propagule viability. Despite this, the Jerusalem artichoke is showing a rapid and alarming increasing trend in our study area, suggesting that a potential role by wildlife may have been occurred. Given the high invasive potential of this plant species, further researches are required to assess and quantify the potential role of herbivores as dispersal agents.

Over the last few years, researchers have been studying telocytes, recently described interstitial cells, voraciously. This morphological study focused on the immunohistochemical identification of telocytes and the study of their topographical relations in the wall of the human uterine body and cervix. This study attempted to find the most specific and therefore, the most suitable monoclonal antibody for the study of telocytes via the immunohistochemical methods. Tissue specimens from human uteruses were stained with eight different primary antibodies, to detect the expression of c-kit (CD117), CD34 antigen, vimentin, α -smooth muscle actin, progesterone receptor, desmin, estrogen receptor and S 100 protein. The presence of telocytes was studied in four different histological regions of the uterus: the endometrium and myometrium of the corpus, endocervical mucosa and exocervical mucosa. This study shows that c-kit is the most suitable marker for identification of telocytes in human uterine body and cervix. C-kit positive telocytes within the endometrium, myometrium, as well as the mucosa of the endocervix and exocervix exhibited an assorted variety of shapes from spindle-shaped, triangular to star-shaped. The greatest abundance of c-kit positive telocytes is found within the myometrium. The connective tissue of endocervical mucosa also contains a considerable number of these cells, while the lowest count of c-kit positive telocytes is found within the endometrium and exocervical mucosa.

Between 2012 and 2014, in the sub-regions of Lake Balaton (Hungary) and the adjacent swamp called Kis-Balaton having stocks of biting mosquito species with large number of specimens, we regularly performed imago collections. In the pooled samples which were collected by aspirator and contained 6,906 adult insects, a nematode infected specimen was detected. The only worm in the abdomen of the female Anopheles maculipennis complex was proved to be a larval mermithid by its morphology but in consequence of the weak morphological characters more detailed identification was not possible. To avoid destroying this evidentiary specimen no DNA extraction has been performed from it so far. This finding proves that it is worth to inspect not only the larvae but also the adult mosquitoes for the presence of mermithids. In Europe, parasites belonging to the Mermithidae family have been found in biting mosquitoes only in Northern Europe. These larvae were detected in Finland, Norway, Sweden and in Denmark. This is the first mosquito-parasitic mermithid recorded from Central Europe.