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1.
Vet Med Sci ; 10(5): e1573, 2024 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39087869

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The study was conducted in Pawe district from Benishangul-Gumuz and Jawi and Fagita Lekoma districts from the Amhara region to investigate major honeybee pests, predators and diseases. METHODS: Using a purposive sampling technique, 183 households were interviewed, and 240 samples were collected for laboratory analysis of bee disease; data were analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The share of hive types owned by sampled respondents was 88.6%; overall, 1.1% and 10.3% were traditional, transitional and modern beehives, respectively. About 92% of the sample respondents acquired their base colonies by catching swarm bees on the apex of trees. The majority of beekeepers executed external inspections of their colony, whereas only 50% carried out internal inspections. Based on the responses of beekeepers, around 48.9%, 56.3% and 23.1% of colonies absconded every year from Pawe, Jawi and Fagita Lekoma districts, respectively. Ants, wax moths, bee lice, beetles, spiders, birds, monkeys and honey badgers were the major honeybee pests and predators discovered in study areas in decreasing order. Concerning the incidence of Varroa mites, Nosema apis and amoeba disease, 27.5%, 60% and 71.6% of samples showed positive results in study locations, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: From this result, we observed that ants, wax moths, bee lice, beetles, spiders, birds, monkeys and honey badgers were the major honeybee pests and predators. The prevalence of amoeba disease was comparatively higher in highland areas and in the summer season. This finding suggests the need for the alertness of beekeepers in controlling bee disease and pests and strengthening bee colonies through seasonal colony management. There should be a strict quarantine, and check-up undertaken when a new colony is purchased from one region to another is essential.


Subject(s)
Beekeeping , Animals , Bees/parasitology , Ethiopia/epidemiology , Prevalence
2.
PhytoKeys ; 244: 237-248, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39086738

ABSTRACT

Pollen transfer efficiency (PTE; the proportion of pollen removed from flowers that reaches conspecific stigmas) is expected to vary with the type of pollinator and flower morphology, and to influence male siring success. Many species in the genus Erica are pollinated by bees (which consume pollen and should thus lower PTE) but during its radiation in the Cape, several independent shifts to both sunbird and long-proboscid fly (LP fly) pollinators, which do not consume pollen have taken place. Improvements in PTE could be one of the factors driving these pollinator shifts. PTE data for 15 Erica species (five for each of the three pollinator types) were collected and compared in relation to type of pollinator and anther exsertion. LP fly- and bird-pollinated species had higher PTE in comparison with bee-pollinated species. Species with inserted anthers had higher PTE than those with exserted anthers. This suggests that sunbirds and LP flies are more efficient pollinators than bees. Additionally, the study suggests that insertion of anthers within the corolla tube can reduce pollen losses.

3.
Front Microbiol ; 15: 1419917, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39091304

ABSTRACT

The prevalent life-threatening microbial and cancer diseases and lack of effective pharmaceutical therapies created the need for new molecules with antimicrobial and anticancer potential. Bee venom (BV) was collected from honeybee workers, and melittin (NM) was extracted from BV and analyzed by urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (urea-PAGE). The isolated melittin was hydrolyzed with alcalase into new bioactive peptides and evaluated for their antimicrobial and anticancer activity. Gel filtration chromatography fractionated melittin hydrolysate (HM) into three significant fractions (F1, F2, and F3), that were characterized by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and evaluated for their antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, antitumor, and anti-migration activities. All the tested peptides showed antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Melittin and its fractions significantly inhibited the proliferation of two types of cancer cells (Huh-7 and HCT 116). Yet, melittin and its fractions did not affect the viability of normal human lung Wi-38 cells. The IC50 and selectivity index data evidenced the superiority of melittin peptide fractions over intact melittin. Melittin enzymatic hydrolysate is a promising novel product with high potential as an antibacterial and anticancer agent.

4.
Ann Entomol Soc Am ; 117(4): 220-233, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39006748

ABSTRACT

Bee monitoring, or widespread efforts to document bee community biodiversity, can involve data collection using lethal (specimen collections) or non-lethal methods (observations, photographs). Additionally, data can be collected by professional scientists or by volunteer participants from the general public. Collection-based methods presumably produce more reliable data with fewer biases against certain taxa, while photography-based approaches, such as data collected from public natural history platforms like iNaturalist, can involve more people and cover a broader geographic area. Few efforts have been made to quantify the pros and cons of these different approaches. We established a community science monitoring program to assess bee biodiversity across the state of Pennsylvania (USA) using specimen collections with nets, blue vane traps, and bowl traps. We recruited 26 participants, mostly Master Gardeners, from across the state to sample bees after receiving extensive training on bee monitoring topics and methods. The specimens they collected were identified to species, stored in museum collections, and the data added to public databases. Then, we compared the results from our collections to research-grade observations from iNaturalist during the same time period (2021 and 2022). At state and county levels, we found collections data documented over twice as much biodiversity and novel baseline natural history data (state and county records) than data from iNaturalist. iNaturalist data showed strong biases toward large-bodied and non-native species. This study demonstrates the value of highly trained community scientists for collections-based research that aims to document patterns of bee biodiversity over space and time.

5.
Plants (Basel) ; 13(13)2024 Jun 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38999602

ABSTRACT

Arctomecon californica, the Las Vegas bear poppy, is a rare plant found only in the eastern Mojave Desert of North America. Because of recent declines in the populations of this endemic plant, conservationists are currently seeking protection for A. californica under the US Endangered Species Act. In this study, we investigated the natural history of A. californica and documented insect visitors potentially pollinating A. californica in Clark County, Nevada. We find that the populations of A. californica fluctuate from year to year, with many populations declining by over 90% from 2021 to 2022. The pollinator communities of A. californica also vary from year to year. In some years, specialist bees in the genus Perdita make up the majority of pollinators, while in other years, generalist bees like Apis mellifera and Hylaeus dominate. Furthermore, we confirm what previous work has suggested, that A. californica requires pollinators to set seed, yet not all insect visitors are good pollinators. This work provides useful natural history information about the Las Vegas bear poppy, which will be informative to conservationists designing strategies to protect this imperiled species.

6.
J Food Sci ; 89(7): 4403-4418, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38957090

ABSTRACT

The improper storage of seeds can potentially compromise agricultural productivity, leading to reduced crop yields. Therefore, assessing seed viability before sowing is of paramount importance. Although numerous techniques exist for evaluating seed conditions, this research leveraged hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technology as an innovative, rapid, clean, and precise nondestructive testing method. The study aimed to determine the most effective classification model for watermelon seeds. Initially, purchased watermelon seeds were segregated into two groups: One underwent sterilization in a dehydrator machine at 40°C for 36 h, whereas the other batch was stored under favorable conditions. Watermelon seeds' spectral images were captured using an HSI with a charge-coupled device camera ranging from 400 to 1000 nm, and the segmented regions of all samples were measured. Preprocessing techniques and wavelength selection methods were applied to manage spectral data workload, followed by the implementation of a support vector machine (SVM) model. The initial hybrid-SVM model achieved a predictive accuracy rate of 100%, with a test set accuracy of 92.33%. Subsequently, an artificial bee colony (ABC) optimization was introduced to enhance model precision. The results indicated that, with kernel parameters (c, g) set at 13.17 and 0.01, respectively, and a runtime of 4.19328 s, the training and evaluation of the dataset achieved an accuracy rate of 100%. Hence, it was practical to utilize HSI technology combined with the PCA-ABC-SVM model to detect different watermelon seeds. As a result, these findings introduce a novel technique for accurately forecasting seed viability, intended for use in agricultural industrial multispectral imaging. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The traditional methods for determining the condition of seeds primarily emphasize aesthetics, rely on subjective assessment, are time-consuming, and require a lot of labor. On the other hand, HSI technology as green technology was employed to alleviate the aforementioned problems. This work significantly contributes to the field of industrial multispectral imaging by enhancing the capacity to discern various types of seeds and agricultural crop products.


Subject(s)
Citrullus , Hyperspectral Imaging , Machine Learning , Seeds , Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared , Citrullus/chemistry , Seeds/chemistry , Hyperspectral Imaging/methods , Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared/methods , Support Vector Machine , Algorithms
7.
Clin Case Rep ; 12(7): e9118, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38947546

ABSTRACT

The commonest renal involvement after bee stings is acute kidney injury due to rhabdomyolysis. Nephrotic syndrome combined with AKI is unusual complication of Hymenoptera stings. We diagnosed a minimal change disease and six-year follow up relapses.

8.
Malays J Med Sci ; 31(3): 75-91, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38984252

ABSTRACT

Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is a common decline in cognitive abilities that occurs within 3 months after a stroke. During recovery, stroke survivors often experience varying degrees of cognitive decline, with some patients experiencing permanent cognitive deficits. Thus, it is crucial to prioritise recovery and rehabilitation after a stroke to promote optimal protection of and improvement in cognitive function. Honey derived from stingless bees has been linked to various therapeutic properties, including neuroprotective effects. However, scientific evidence for the mechanisms through which these honey supplements enhance cognitive function remains limited. This narrative review aims to provide an overview of the causes of PSCI, current treatments, the biomarkers influencing cognition in post-stroke patients and the potential of stingless bee honey (SBH) as a neuroprotective agent against the progression of PSCI.

9.
Malays J Med Sci ; 31(3): 32-51, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38984254

ABSTRACT

Antibiotics are widely used to treat bacterial infections. The effectiveness of antibiotics is very important, but unfortunately, prolonged exposure leads to the development of antibiotic resistance in some bacteria. Hence, using natural products as antibacterial agents is an attractive alternative, given that they have been used as traditional medicine since the existence of humanity. This study systematically reviewed the antibacterial activity of Malaysian bee products such as honey, propolis and bee bread. Five electronic databases: i) PubMed; ii) ScienceDirect; iii) Scopus; iv) Web of Science Core Collection and v) Google Scholar, were searched for relevant articles. A total of 153 articles were obtained from the initial search. Of these, 32 articles, including 24 on honey, eight on propolis and one on bee bread, were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Most studies reported that honey, propolis and bee bread demonstrated antibacterial properties against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

10.
Environ Monit Assess ; 196(8): 724, 2024 Jul 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38990407

ABSTRACT

Analysis of the change in groundwater used as a drinking and irrigation water source is of critical importance in terms of monitoring aquifers, planning water resources, energy production, combating climate change, and agricultural production. Therefore, it is necessary to model groundwater level (GWL) fluctuations to monitor and predict groundwater storage. Artificial intelligence-based models in water resource management have become prevalent due to their proven success in hydrological studies. This study proposed a hybrid model that combines the artificial neural network (ANN) and the artificial bee colony optimization (ABC) algorithm, along with the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) and the local mean decomposition (LMD) techniques, to model groundwater levels in Erzurum province, Türkiye. GWL estimation results were evaluated with mean square error (MSE), coefficient of determination (R2), and residual sum of squares (RSS) and visually with violin, scatter, and time series plot. The study results indicated that the EEMD-ABC-ANN hybrid model was superior to other models in estimating GWL, with R2 values ranging from 0.91 to 0.99 and MSE values ranging from 0.004 to 0.07. It has also been revealed that promising GWL predictions can be made with previous GWL data.


Subject(s)
Environmental Monitoring , Groundwater , Neural Networks, Computer , Groundwater/chemistry , Bees , Animals , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Algorithms
11.
Ecotoxicology ; 2024 Jul 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39001973

ABSTRACT

The stingless bee Frieseomelitta varia Lepeletier 1836 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) is an essential pollinator in natural and agricultural ecosystems in the Neotropical region. However, these bees may be exposed to pesticides during foraging, which can affect both individuals and their colonies. One example comes from the use of pyraclostrobin (a fungicide) and thiamethoxam (an insecticide) for pest control in pepper crops, which F. varia visits. This study aimed to evaluate the isolated and combined sublethal effects of thiamethoxam (TMX) (0.000543 ng a.i./µL) and pyraclostrobin (PYR) (1.5 ng i.a./µL) on the morphology of the midgut and Malpighian tubules of F. varia workers. Results showed that both pesticides, regardless of the exposure time (through feeding during 48 h or 96 h), disturbed the morphology of the analyzed organs. Specifically, F. varia exposed orally to sublethal concentrations of thiamethoxam and pyraclostrobin, either alone or in combination, exhibited a higher rate of damage to the midgut (e.g., vacuolization, apocrine secretion, and cellular elimination) compared to the bees in the control groups, both after 48 h and 96 h of exposure. In Malpighian tubules, vacuolation is the only damage present. As the observed morphological alterations likely compromise the excretion and absorption functions, exposure to pyraclostrobin and thiamethoxam may lead to disturbances at both the individual and colony levels. These results highlight the urgent need for a future reassessment of the safety of fungicides and insecticides regarding their potential effects on bee populations.

12.
Environ Entomol ; 2024 Jul 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38961657

ABSTRACT

Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apis), honey bees, are the most widely used managed crop pollinators. However, their high rental cost and uncertain availability for North American orchard crops have motivated growers to explore alternative pollination options. We examined whether adding solitary, spring-flying Osmia lignaria Say (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), blue orchard bees, as co-pollinators with A. mellifera in Washington sweet cherry and pear orchards enhances fruit set and yield compared to the use of A. mellifera alone. We added managed O. lignaria to orchard sites where A. mellifera hives were already present. Fruit set, fruit yield, and O. lignaria reproduction at O. lignaria-supplemented sites were compared to nearby, paired sites pollinated only by A. mellifera (3 paired cherry and 3 paired pear sites). For both crops, the addition of O. lignaria significantly increased fruit set but did not yield at harvest. Microscopic inspection of pollen grains from O. lignaria nest cell provisions confirmed that O. lignaria primarily visited orchard flowers. Mean retention of O. lignaria in cherry orchards was slightly higher (65%) than O. lignaria retention reported in other orchard crops (30%-60%). However, retention in pear orchards was much lower (≤20%). These results show that supplementing hives with O. lignaria in Washington spring orchard crops can increase overall pollination, but that trees fail to bear developing fruit to maturity. The strategy of using co-pollinators, O. lignaria and A. mellifera, in US orchards may act as "pollination insurance" when A. mellifera hives are in low supply or when the weather is not amenable for A. mellifera flight during the bloom period.

13.
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf ; 282: 116677, 2024 Jul 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38971098

ABSTRACT

Stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Meliponini) are pollinators of both cultivated and wild crop plants in the Neotropical region. However, they are susceptible to pesticide exposure during foraging activities. The fungicide fluazinam is commonly applied in bean and sunflower cultivation during the flowering period, posing a potential risk to the stingless bee Partamona helleri, which serves as a pollinator for these crops. In this study, we investigated the impact of acute oral exposure (24 h) fluazinam on the survival, morphology and cell death signaling pathways in the midgut, oxidative stress and behavior of P. helleri worker bees. Worker bees were exposed for 24 h to fluazinam (field concentrations 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5 mg a.i. mL-1), diluted in 50 % honey aqueous solution. After oral exposure, fluazinam did not harm the survival of worker bees. However, sublethal effects were revealed using the highest concentration of fluazinam (2.5 mg a.i. mL-1), particularly a reduction in food consumption, damage in the midgut epithelium, characterized by degeneration of the brush border, an increase in the number and size of cytoplasm vacuoles, condensation of nuclear chromatin, and an increase in the release of cell fragments into the gut lumen. Bees exposed to fluazinam exhibited an increase in cells undergoing autophagy and apoptosis, indicating cell death in the midgut epithelium. Furthermore, the fungicide induced oxidative stress as evidenced by an increase in total antioxidant and catalase enzyme activities, along with a decrease in glutathione S-transferase activity. And finally, fluazinam altered the walking behavior of bees, which could potentially impede their foraging activities. In conclusion, our findings indicate that fluazinam at field concentrations is not lethal for workers P. helleri. Nevertheless, it has side effects on midgut integrity, oxidative stress and worker bee behavior, pointing to potential risks for this pollinator.

14.
Am J Bot ; 111(7): e16375, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39004802

ABSTRACT

PREMISE: Cross-fertilization in most flowering plants is facilitated by mobile animals that transport pollen while foraging for floral rewards. The contributions of different visitors can vary widely, depending on the amount of pollen transferred during a single visit and on the frequency and timing of the visits of each pollinator taxon. METHODS: We used three approaches to measure the pollination value of bees that visit Mimulus ringens: pollinator interviews, field population observations, and caging studies. RESULTS: The single-visit effectiveness of small bees (primarily Halictidae) was only half that of larger bees (primarily Bombus) for pollen delivery and removal. In five field populations, we found substantial temporal and spatial variation in visitation and pollination. In most sites big bees were active before 08:00 hours, and by 10:00-11:00 hours, stigmas were usually fully pollinated and closed, and little pollen remained in anthers. Small bees seldom visited before 10:00 hours. Excluding big bees from plants confirmed that pollination is reduced and delayed in this ecological context. CONCLUSIONS: Big bees are the primary pollinators of M. ringens, accounting for at least 75% of seed production. Not only are they more effective per visit, in most situations they also visit before small bees become active. Although small bees are not usually important pollinators of M. ringens, they have the potential to partially replace them as a "fail-safe" pollinator in contexts where big bees are not abundant. In a world where pollinator abundance is declining, such backup pollinators may be important for maintaining plant reproduction.


Subject(s)
Mimulus , Pollination , Animals , Pollination/physiology , Bees/physiology , Mimulus/physiology , Flowers/physiology , Pollen/physiology , Time Factors
15.
Insects ; 15(7)2024 Jun 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39057206

ABSTRACT

The honey bee, a significant crop pollinator, encounters pesticides through various routes of exposure during foraging and flower visitation. Considering the potential threat of pesticide poisoning, the indigenous Saudi bee Apis mellifera jemenitica is susceptible to the risks associated with acetamiprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide. This study investigates the acetamiprid-induced effects on the survival, olfactory learning, and memory formation of A. m. jemenitica through two exposure routes: topical application and oral ingestion. Field-realistic and serially diluted concentrations (100, 50, 25, and 10 ppm) of acetamiprid led to notable mortality at 4, 12, 24, and 48 h after treatment, with peak mortality observed at 24 h and 48 h for both exposure routes. Bee mortality was concentration-dependent, increasing with the rising concentration of acetamiprid at the tested time intervals. Food consumption following oral exposure exhibited a concentration-dependent pattern, steadily decreasing with increasing concentrations of acetamiprid. Oral exposure resulted in a substantially higher cumulative mortality (55%) compared to topical exposure (15%), indicating a significant disparity in bee mortality between the two exposure routes. The 24 h post-treatment LC50 values for acetamiprid were 160.33 and 12.76 ppm for topical application and oral ingestion, respectively. The sublethal concentrations (LC10, LC20, and LC30) of acetamiprid were 15.23, 34.18, and 61.20 ppm, respectively, following topical exposure, and 2.85, 4.77, and 6.91 ppm, respectively, following oral exposure. The sublethal concentrations of acetamiprid significantly decreased learning during the 2nd-3rd conditioning trials and impaired memory formation at 2, 12, and 24 h following both topical and oral exposure routes, compared to the control bees. Notably, the sublethal concentrations were equally effective in impairing bee learning and memory. Taken together, acetamiprid exposure adversely affected bee survival, hindered learning, and impaired the memory retention of learned tasks.

16.
Insects ; 15(7)2024 Jul 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39057271

ABSTRACT

Current Varroa mite management strategies rely heavily on the use of pesticides, adversely affecting honey bee health and leaving toxic residues in hive products. To explore the likelihood of RNAi technology being utilised as an alternative control method for pests like Varroa, the opinions of beekeepers on the use of this new biotechnology were obtained using a mixed-methodology approach. In-person surveys and focus groups using the Q method were conducted to discover the willingness of beekeepers to utilise Varroa-targeting RNAi treatments in their hives, and to gain feedback to inform decisions before the implementation of this new technology. Overall, the beekeepers saw potential in RNAi being used to control Varroa in their hives and were eager to have access to an alternative to pesticide treatments. Participants raised concerns about unknown long-term effects on bees and other non-target species, and the potential of an uninformed public preventing them from accessing a new Varroa treatment. While further research and discussion is needed before RNAi treatments for Varroa become commercially available, RNAi technology presents a promising, species-specific and non-toxic solution for Varroa management.

17.
Insects ; 15(7)2024 Jul 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39057275

ABSTRACT

This study determined the influence of foraging distance, environmental factors, and native vegetation on honeybee (Apis mellifera) foraging in arid shrublands and grasslands in Northern Mexico. Apiary distance from inflorescence sites did not have a significant influence on the intensity of foraging. Apiary location and landscape were decisive factors in the response of honeybees to environmental factors. Air temperature, minimum temperature, wind velocity, and relative humidity explained foraging by 87, 80, 68, and 41% (R2), respectively, in shrubland sites in open landscapes but had no significant influence on foraging in the grassland sites in a valley surrounded by hills (1820-2020 amsl). Nights with a minimum temperature of <20 °C increased foraging activity during the day. Minimum temperature, which has the least correlative influence among climate elements, can be used to determine climate change's impact on bees. The quantity of available inflorescence explained the foraging intensity by 78% in shrublands and 84% in grasslands. Moreover, when honeybees depended mainly on native vegetation in grasslands, the quantity of inflorescence explained the intensity of foraging by 95%. High intensity of honeybee foraging was observed in allthorn (Koeberlinia spinosa) and wait-a-minute bush (Mimosa aculeaticarpa) in shrublands and honey mesquite (Neltuma glandulosa) and wait-a-minute bush (Mimosa aculeaticarpa) in grasslands. The findings and baseline data contributed by this study may be used to identify suitable environments for increasing apiary productivity and other agricultural and ecological benefits.

18.
Foods ; 13(14)2024 Jul 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39063350

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the development of protein powder from honey bee drone broods using foam-mat drying, a scalable method suitable for community enterprises, as well as the preservation of bee broods as a food ingredient. Initially, honey bee broods were pre-treated by boiling and steaming, with steamed bee brood (S_BB) showing the highest protein content (44.71 g/100 g dry basis). A factorial design optimized the powder formulation through the foam-mat drying process, incorporating varying concentrations of S_BB, glycerol monostearate (GMS), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The physicochemical properties of the resulting powder, including yield, color spaces, water activity, solubility, protein content, and total amino acids, were evaluated. The results showed that foam-mat drying produced a stable protein powder. The binders (CMC and GMS) increased the powder's yield and lightness but negatively affected the hue angle (yellow-brown), protein content, and amino acid content. The optimal quantities of the three variables (S_BB, GMS, and CMC) were determined to be 30 g, 6 g, and 1.5 g, or 80%, 16%, and 4%, respectively. Under this formulation, the protein powder exhibited a protein content of 19.89 g/100 g. This research highlights the potential of bee brood protein powder as a sustainable and nutritious alternative protein source, enhancing food diversification and security.

19.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 16747, 2024 Jul 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39033233

ABSTRACT

In Argentina, migratory activity in search of floral diversity has become a common approach to maximizing honey production. The Entre Ríos province possesses a floral diversity that allows beekeepers to perform migratory or stationary management. Beyond the impact caused by transhumance, migratory colonies in this province start and end the season in monoculture areas. To study the effect of these practices on viral infection, we assayed for the presence, abundance and genetic characterization of the Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) in honey bees from apiaries with both types of management. In migratory apiaries, DWV was detectable in 86.2% of the colonies at the beginning of the season (September 2018), and 66% at the end of the season (March 2019). On the other hand, DWV was detected in 44.11% and 53.12% of stationary samples, at the beginning and the end of the season, respectively. Sequence analysis from migratory and stationary colonies revealed that all samples belonged to DWV-A type. The highest viral loads were detected in migratory samples collected in September. Higher DWV presence and abundance were associated with migratory management and the sampling time. Based on our findings we propose that the benefit of migration to wild flowering areas can be dissipated when the bee colonies end the season with monoculture.


Subject(s)
RNA Viruses , Animals , Bees/virology , Argentina , RNA Viruses/genetics , RNA Viruses/isolation & purification , Animal Migration , Seasons , Phylogeny , Beekeeping , Viral Load
20.
Food Sci Nutr ; 12(7): 5027-5035, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39055217

ABSTRACT

Cachexia is associated with various diseases, such as heart disease, infectious disease, and cancer. In particular, cancer-associated cachexia (CAC) accounts for more than 20% of mortality in cancer patients worldwide. Adipose tissue in CAC is characterized by adipocyte atrophy, mainly due to excessively increased lipolysis and impairment of adipogenesis. CAC is well known for the loss of skeletal muscle mass and/or fat mass. CAC induces severe metabolic alterations, including protein, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of bee wax (Apis mellifera L. 1758) (BW) extract on adipogenesis, lipolysis, and mitochondrial oxygen consumption through white adipocytes, 3T3-L1. To achieve this study, cancer-associated cachexia condition was established by incubation of 3T3-L1 with colon cancer cell line CT26 cultured media. BW extract recovered the reduced adipogenesis under cachectic conditions in CT26 media. Treatment of BW showed increasing lipid accumulation as well as adipogenic gene expression and its target gene during adipogenesis. The administration of BW to adipocytes could decrease lipolysis. Also, BW could significantly downregulated the mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation-related genes, oxygen consumption rate, and extracellular acidification rate. Our results suggest that BW could improve metabolic disorders such as CAC through the activation of adipogenesis and inhibition of lipolysis in adipocytes, although we need further validation in vivo CAC model to check the effects of BW extract. Therefore, BW extract supplements could be useful as an alternative medicine to reverse energy imbalances.

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