Determination of dose derived from building materials and radiological health related effects from the indoor environment of Dessie city, Wollo, Ethiopia.

The eight most common construction materials in Dessie City were collected in order to determine the amount of natural radiation released and its effects on humans. This is the first time that such research has been conducted. A B13010 Gamma-ray spectrometry was used to determine the concentration of the daughter element photo peak (High Purity Germanium detector). These studies can be used to track changes in radioactivity caused by industrial and other human activities. The mean radioactivity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were calculated to be 26.59 ± 3.26, 26.59 ± 2.76, and 115.65 ± 2.73 Bq kg-1, respectively. The calculated Radium equivalent activity (Raeq) and absorbed dose were lower than the global average. The estimated annual effective dose equivalent was 0.08 ± 0.01 mSv y-1. External and internal radiation hazard indices (Hex and Hin), activity utilization indices, alpha indices, and gamma representative indices are all lower than the world's recommended standards. The mean of the ELCR is lower than the global mean. The annual effective dose equivalent is slightly above the global average.

Redescription and synonymization of Oscheius citri Tabassum, Shahina, Nasira and Erum, 2016 (Rhabditida, Rhabditidae) from India and its taxonomical consequences.

A population of a nematode species belonging to the genus Oscheius was isolated in western Uttar Pradesh, India. Morphological and morphometrical studies on this species showed its high similarity with six species described previously from Pakistan (Oscheius citri, O. cobbi, O. cynodonti, O. esculentus, O. punctatus and O. sacchari). The molecular analysis of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA sequences of the Indian population and the six species described from Pakistan showed that all the sequences are almost identical. Thus, based on morphological and molecular characteristics, all of the six above-mentioned Pakistani species and Indian strain do not differ from each other, hence can be considered synonyms. The correct name for this taxon is the first described species O. citri. Additionally, the phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rDNA and the 28S rDNA sequences showed that Oscheius citri is sister to the clade formed by O. chongmingensis and O. rugaoensis from China. The high similarity of morphological and morphometric characteristics of O. citri and other species, O. maqbooli, O. nadarajani, O. niazii, O. shamimi and O. siddiqii, suggest their conspecificity; however, lack of molecular data for these species does not allow this hypothesis to be tested.

The first report of Xenorhabdus indica from Steinernema pakistanense: co-phylogenetic study suggests co-speciation between X. indica and its steinernematid nematodes.

During a survey in agricultural fields of the sub-humid region of Meerut district, India, two strains of entomopathogenic nematodes, labelled CS31 and CS32, were isolated using the Galleria baiting technique. Based on morphological and morphometric studies, and molecular data, the nematodes were identified as Steinernema pakistanense, making this finding the first report of this species from India. For the first time, we performed a molecular and biochemical characterization of the bacterial symbiont of S. pakistanense. Furthermore, a co-phylogenetic analysis of the bacteria from the monophyletic clade containing a symbiont of S. pakistanense, together with their nematode hosts, was conducted, to test the degree of nematode-bacteria co-speciation. Both isolates were also tested in a laboratory assay for pathogenicity against two major pests, Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera litura. The morphology of the Indian isolates corresponds mainly to the original description, with the only difference being the absence of a mucron in first-generation females and missing epiptygmata in the second generation. The sequences of bacterial recA and gyrB genes have shown that the symbiont of S. pakistanense is closely related to Xenorhabdus indica, which is associated with some other nematodes from the 'bicornutum' group. Co-phylogenetic analysis has shown a remarkable congruence between the nematode and bacterial phylogenies, suggesting that, in some lineages within the Steinernema / Xenorhabdus complex, the nematodes and bacteria have undergone co-speciation. In the virulence assay, both strains caused a 100% mortality of both tested insects after 48 h, even at the lowest doses of 25 infective juveniles per insect, suggesting that S. pakistanense could be considered for use in the biocontrol of these organisms in India.

Disruption of MBD5 contributes to a spectrum of psychopathology and neurodevelopmental abnormalities.

Microdeletions of chromosomal region 2q23.1 that disrupt MBD5 (methyl-CpG-binding domain protein 5) contribute to a spectrum of neurodevelopmental phenotypes; however, the impact of this locus on human psychopathology has not been fully explored. To characterize the structural variation landscape of MBD5 disruptions and the associated human psychopathology, 22 individuals with genomic disruption of MBD5 (translocation, point mutation and deletion) were identified through whole-genome sequencing or cytogenomic microarray at 11 molecular diagnostic centers. The genomic impact ranged from a single base pair to 5.4 Mb. Parents were available for 11 cases, all of which confirmed that the rearrangement arose de novo. Phenotypes were largely indistinguishable between patients with full-segment 2q23.1 deletions and those with intragenic MBD5 rearrangements, including alterations confined entirely to the 5'-untranslated region, confirming the critical impact of non-coding sequence at this locus. We identified heterogeneous, multisystem pathogenic effects of MBD5 disruption and characterized the associated spectrum of psychopathology, including the novel finding of anxiety and bipolar disorder in multiple patients. Importantly, one of the unique features of the oldest known patient was behavioral regression. Analyses also revealed phenotypes that distinguish MBD5 disruptions from seven well-established syndromes with significant diagnostic overlap. This study demonstrates that haploinsufficiency of MBD5 causes diverse phenotypes, yields insight into the spectrum of resulting neurodevelopmental and behavioral psychopathology and provides clinical context for interpretation of MBD5 structural variations. Empirical evidence also indicates that disruption of non-coding MBD5 regulatory regions is sufficient for clinical manifestation, highlighting the limitations of exon-focused assessments. These results suggest an ongoing perturbation of neurological function throughout the lifespan, including risks for neurobehavioral regression.

Effects of repeated haemolymph withdrawals on haemocyte counts and moulting in lemon-butterfly, Papilio demoleus L.

Total and differential haemocyte counts following repeated haemolymph withdrawals were made in V instar larvae of P. demoleus. While total count showed a steady reduction reaching its lowest in prepupal stage, much variation was observed in the relative percentage of various cell types. Further, the repeated removals of haemolymph from V instar larvae and pupae affected imaginal moulting and lengths of body and wings in adult butterflies.

Signal amplification by substrate recycling on polyaniline/lactate oxidase/lactate dehydrogenase bienzyme electrodes.

The bienzyme electrodes were fabricated by coimmobilization of lactate oxidase (LOD) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) onto electrochemically prepared polyaniline (PANI) films. These PANI/LOD/LDH bienzyme electrodes were shown to provide signal amplification by substrate recycling, making it possible to detect L-lactate at lower concentrations (0.1-1 mM). The PANI/LOD/LDH bienzyme electrodes were found to be stable for about 21 d at 4-10 degrees C.

Immobilization of lactate dehydrogenase on tetraethylorthosilicate-derived sol-gel films for application to lactate biosensor.

Tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS)-derived sol-gel films were utilized for the immobilization of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) by physical adsorption and sol-gel/LDH/sol-gel sandwich configuration. An attempt was made to ascertain the optimum pH and temperature for the immobilized LDH. It was shown that TEOS-derived sol-gel films containing physically adsorbed LDH exhibited linearity from 0.5 to 4 mM, whereas those containing LDH in sandwich configuration showed linearity from 0.5 to 3 mM L-lactate. These sol-gel films, immobilized with LDH, were found to be stable for about 4 weeks at 4-10 degrees C.