Two new species of Kiekie Polotow & Brescovit, 2018 (Araneae: Ctenidae) from the highlands of Panama.

Two new species, Kiekie almae sp. n. and K. dietrichi sp. n. are described based on both sexes collected in highlands of Central America (Panama). Live males and females of both species were photographed in situ. A distribution map of all Panamanian Kiekie species is given based on new and literature-derived records.

The Digestive Function of Pseudoplatystoma punctifer Early Juveniles Is Differentially Modulated by Dietary Protein, Lipid and Carbohydrate Content and Their Ratios.

Pseudoplatystoma punctifer is an Amazonian catfish highly appreciated for its high flesh quality, size, and commercial value. Its aquaculture is pursued to satisfy the demands of an increasing population in the region. However, knowledge of the nutritional needs during the early life stages is necessary for improving growth and reducing the incidence of cannibalism, factors that limit the success of its commercial farming. This study aimed at evaluating the influence of four diets containing different protein and lipid levels (30:15, 30:10, 45:15, or 45:10 in %) in the digestive physiology and performance of early juveniles. The results showed that the dietary protein:lipid as well as carbohydrate levels and ratios influenced differently the whole-body proximate composition, the digestive physiology and development, and hence growth and survival. The 45:15 diet promoted the best growth, survival, and the most rapid development of the digestive system, as shown at histological (higher number of hepatocytes, goblet cells in the anterior intestine and enterocytes in all intestinal portions, and longer folds in the posterior intestine), molecular (highest amylase, lipoprotein lipase, phospholipase, trypsinogen, and pepsinogen gene expression), and biochemical (highest lipase and pepsin activities and higher alkaline phosphatase:leucine alanine peptidase activity ratio) levels. Lipids were favored over carbohydrates as source of energy, with lipids promoting a protein-sparing effect at adequate energy:protein ratio. Carbohydrate content higher than 25% was excessive for this species, leading to unbalanced lipid metabolism and fat deposition in the liver.

A comprehensive review of therapeutic approaches available for the treatment of cholera.

OBJECTIVES: The oral rehydration solution is the most efficient method to treat cholera; however, it does not interfere in the action mechanism of the main virulence factor produced by Vibrio cholerae, the cholera toxin (CT), and this disease still stands out as a problem for human health worldwide. This review aimed to describe therapeutic alternatives available in the literature, especially those related to the search for molecules acting upon the physiopathology of cholera. KEY FINDINGS: New molecules have offered a protection effect against diarrhoea induced by CT or even by infection from V. cholerae. The receptor regulator cystic fibrosis channel transmembrane (CFTR), monosialoganglioside (GM1), enkephalinase, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), inhibitors of expression of virulence factors and activators of ADP-ribosylarginine hydrolase are the main therapeutic targets studied. Many of these molecules or extracts still present unclear action mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: Knowing therapeutic alternatives and their molecular mechanisms for the treatment of cholera could guide us to develop a new drug that could be used in combination with the rehydration solution.

Morphologically Different Pectobacterium brasiliense Bacteriophages PP99 and PP101: Deacetylation of O-Polysaccharide by the Tail Spike Protein of Phage PP99 Accompanies the Infection.

Soft rot caused by numerous species of Pectobacterium and Dickeya is a serious threat to the world production of potatoes. The application of bacteriophages to combat bacterial infections in medicine, agriculture, and the food industry requires the selection of comprehensively studied lytic phages and the knowledge of their infection mechanism for more rational composition of therapeutic cocktails. We present the study of two bacteriophages, infective for the Pectobacterium brasiliense strain F152. Podoviridae PP99 is a representative of the genus Zindervirus, and Myoviridae PP101 belongs to the still unclassified genomic group. The structure of O-polysaccharide of F152 was established by sugar analysis and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy: → 4)-α-D-Manp6Ac-(1→ 2)-α-D-Manp-(1→ 3)-ß-D-Galp-(1→ 3 ↑ 1 α -l- 6 dTal p Ac 0 - 2 The recombinant tail spike protein of phage PP99, gp55, was shown to deacetylate the side chain talose residue of bacterial O-polysaccharide, thus providing the selective attachment of the phage to the cell surface. Both phages demonstrate lytic behavior, thus being prospective for therapeutic purposes.

First illustrated description of the male of Diphya macrophthalma, the type species of the genus (Araneae, Tetragnathidae)

Diphya macrophthalma Nicolet, 1849, a type species of the genus and known by only holotype female from Central Chile, is redescribed in details based on recently collected material. The male is described in details and illustrated for the first time. Diphya rugosa Tullgren, 1902 previously considered as junior synonym of D. macrophthalma is revalidated. The known distribution of Diphya species from southern South America is mapped. Comments about status of northernmost populations of D. spinifera Tullgren, 1902 are given.(AU)

First illustrated description of the male of Diphya macrophthalma, the type species of the genus (Araneae, Tetragnathidae)

Diphya macrophthalma Nicolet, 1849, a type species of the genus and known by only holotype female from Central Chile, is redescribed in details based on recently collected material. The male is described in details and illustrated for the first time. Diphya rugosa Tullgren, 1902 previously considered as junior synonym of D. macrophthalma is revalidated. The known distribution of Diphya species from southern South America is mapped. Comments about status of northernmost populations of D. spinifera Tullgren, 1902 are given.

First illustrated description of the male of Diphya macrophthalma, the type species of the genus (Araneae, Tetragnathidae)

ABSTRACT Diphya macrophthalma Nicolet, 1849, a type species of the genus and known by only holotype female from Central Chile, is redescribed in details based on recently collected material. The male is described in details and illustrated for the first time. Diphya rugosa Tullgren, 1902 previously considered as junior synonym of D. macrophthalma is revalidated. The known distribution of Diphya species from southern South America is mapped. Comments about status of northernmost populations of D. spinifera Tullgren, 1902 are given.

Redescription of "Nesticus" citrinus (Taczanowski, 1874) (Araneae, Araneoidea) from French Guyana.

"Nesticus" citrinus, a species originally placed in Theridion is redescribed based on the syntype series composed by 7 females and a lectotype is designated. All syntypes have broken emboli in their epigynes. Taxonomic position of "Nesticus" citrinus is briefly discussed and its belonging to Nesticidae is doubted.

Molecular characterization of the pathogenic plant fungus Rhizoctonia solani (Ceratobasidiaceae) isolated from Egypt based on protein and PCR-RAPD profiles.

Twenty-one isolates of Rhizoctonia solani were categorized into three anastomosis groups consisting of AG-4-HG-I (eight isolates), AG-2-2 (nine isolates) and AG-5 (four isolates). Their pathogenic capacities were tested on cotton cultivar Giza 86. Pre-emergence damping-off varied in response to the different isolates; however, the differences were not significant. Soluble proteins of the fungal isolates were electrophoresed using SDS-PAGE and gel electrophoreses. A dendrogram of the protein banding patterns by the UPGMA of arithmetic means placed the fungal isolates into distinct groups. There was no evidence of a relationship between protein dendrogram, anastomosis grouping or level of virulence or geographic origin. The dendrogram generated from these isolates based on PCR analysis with five RAPD-PCR primers showed high levels of genetic similarity among the isolates from the same geographical locations. There was partially relationship between the genetic similarity and AGs or level of virulence or geographic origin based on RAPD dendrogram. These results demonstrate that RAPD technique is a useful tool in determining the genetic characterization among isolates of R. solani.

Intracranial injury following minor head trauma.

One hundred twelve patients presenting with a Glascow Coma Scale (GCS) score greater than or equal to 13 with a history of minor head trauma were prospectively studied to determine if certain historic or physical examination variables would predict which of these patients were at increased risk for intracranial injury. Patients either underwent cranial computed axial tomography (CT) or were followed up by phone at 4 weeks to determine major morbidity or mortality. Thirty-five patients underwent CT scanning of the head and eight demonstrated intracranial injury. Five patients were treated nonoperatively, and three patients had neurosurgical intervention. One patient died following surgery. At the 4-week follow-up no patient was found to have suffered any major morbidity or mortality. Stepwise logistic regression found age over 40 years (P = .05, odds ratio = 6.4, 95% confidence interval 1.0 to 38.8) and complaint of headache (P = .039, odds ratio 8.167, 95% confidence interval 1.074 to 62.09) to be significantly predictive of intracranial injury. All eight patients with positive CTs had a GCS score of 15. The authors conclude that intracranial injury does exist in patients suffering minor head trauma with a GCS score of 13 or above. Age over 40 years and complaint of headache are associated with an increased risk of intracranial injury.