Synthesis, characterisation and in vitro anticancer activity of conjugated protease inhibitor-silver nanoparticles (AgNPs-PI) against human breast MCF-7 and prostate PC-3 cancer cell lines.

The conjugated silver nanoparticles using biomolecules have attracted great attention of researchers because physical dimensions and surface chemistry play important roles in toxicity and biocompatibility of AgNPs. Hence, in the current study, synthesis of bio-conjugated AgNPs with protein protease inhibitor (PI) isolated from Streptomyces spp. is reported. UV-visible spectra of PI and AgNPs showed stronger peaks at 280 and 405 nm, confirming the synthesis of conjugated AgNPs-PI. TEM and SEM images of AgNPs-PI showed spherical-shaped nanoparticles with a slight increase in particle size and thin amorphous layer around the surface of silver nanomaterial. Circular dichroism, FT-IR and fluorescence spectral studies confirmed AgNPs-PI conjugation. Conjugated AgNPs-PI showed excellent anticancer potential than AgNPs and protease inhibitor separately on human breast MCF-7 and prostate PC-3 cell lines. The findings revealed that surface modification of AgNPs with protein protease inhibitor stabilised the nanomaterial and increased its anticancer activity.

Ghatippuspaschima, a new species and genus of plexippine jumping spider from the Western Ghats of India (Salticidae, Plexippini, Plexippina).

We propose a new genus of plexippine jumping spiders from the Western Ghats of India based on the new species Ghatippuspaschimagen. et sp. nov. While it bears a superficial resemblance to Pancorius in body form and Hyllus in membrane-bearing embolus, our UCE phylogenomic data-the first to resolve broad relationships within the Plexippina-as well as morphological features justify its status as a new genus. In addition to the molecular data and morphological descriptions, we provide photographs of living specimens of Ghatippuspaschimagen. et sp. nov. and information on their natural history.

Rhizobium pusense-Mediated Selenium Nanoparticles-Antibiotics Combinations against Acanthamoeba sp.

Severe ocular infections by Acanthamoeba sp. lead to keratitis, resulting in irreversible vision loss in immune-compromised individuals. When a protozoal infection spreads to neural tissues, it causes granulomatous encephalitis, which can be fatal. Treatment often takes longer due to the transition of amoeba from trophozoites to cyst stages, cyst being the dormant form of Acanthamoeba. A prolonged use of therapeutic agents, such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), results in severe side effects; thus, it is critical to improve the therapeutic efficacy of these widely used antibiotics, possibly by limiting the drug-sensitive protozoal-phase transition to cyst formation. Owing to the biomedical potential of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), we evaluated the synergistic effects of ciprofloxacin and Rhizobium pusense-biogenic SeNPs combination. SeNPs synthesized using Rhizobium pusense isolated from root nodules were characterized using UV-Visible spectrophotometer, FT-IR, SEM with EDX, particle size analysis, and Zeta potential. The combination was observed to reduce the sub-lethal dose of Cipro, which may help reduce its side effects. The selenium and ciprofloxacin (SeNPs-Cipro) combination reduced the LC50 by 33.43%. The anti-protozoal efficacy of SeNPs-Cipro was found to transduce through decreased protozoal-cyst formations and the inhibition of the galactosidase and protease enzymes of trophozoites. Furthermore, high leakage of sugar, proteins, and amino acids during the SeNPs-Cipro treatment was one primary reason for killing the trophozoites. These experimental results may be helpful in the further pre-clinical evaluation of SeNPs-Cipro to combat protozoal infections. Future studies for combinations of SeNPs with other antibiotics need to be conducted to know the potential of SeNPs against antibiotic resistance in Acanthamoeba.

Moringa Tree, Gift of Nature: a Review on Nutritional and Industrial Potential.

Purpose of Review: Worldwide occurring Moringa plant is commonly famous as a fruit vegetable, known as drumstick or shevga all over India. The miraculous nutritional potential of the drumstick plant was already proved by worldwide research. But in the common population, it is unknown for the nutritional potential of its leaves. The majority of the population is known it only as a fruit vegetable. The Moringa leaves contain almost all essential nutrients, growth factors, vitamins, amino acids, proteins, minerals, and metals like potassium, iron, and zinc. Besides these, nowadays, plant leaves may be used to prepare various nutritional supplements and medicine. Recent Findings: Besides this, this review takes into account some joint efforts of NASI, Allahabad-funded project to use these Moringa leaves for different formulations and its popularization efforts for malnutrition eradication in tribal, i.e., development of recipes of Moringa leaves that will not only make easy preparations but also help to make habitual use of Moringa leaves today. Summary: This review describes the morphology, occurrence, and distribution of Moringa sp., chemical constitutions of Moringa leaves, its potential as anticancer, antidiabetes, and antimicrobial agent and as a nutritional supplement and the commercial future of various products.

Three new and notes on two other jumping spider species of the genus Stenaelurillus Simon, 1886 (Salticidae: Aelurillina) from the Deccan Plateau, India.

We describe three new species of Stenaelurillus Simon, 1886 from the Deccan Plateau of India, and report on populations of S. sarojinae Caleb Mathai, 2014 and S. marusiki Logunov, 2001. One of the new species, S. shwetamukhi Marathe, Sanap, Maddison, sp. nov., has black-and-white markings, characteristic of several other Indian Stenaelurillus species. The other two new species, S. tamravarni Marathe Maddison, sp. nov., and S. vyaghri Sanap, Joglekar, Caleb, sp. nov., are colourful and with fringed male abdomens, like several other Indian species including S. sarojinae. The population of S. sarojinae from Mysuru, Karnataka, shows colours distinct from the population at the type locality. The female of S. marusiki is described for the first time.

Correlation Between Clinical Diagnosis, MRI, and Arthroscopy in Diagnosing Shoulder Pathology.

Introduction Shoulder disorders are frequently encountered by clinicians and are a common cause of musculoskeletal pain in the general population. Clinical tests specific to each shoulder pathology, MRI, and arthroscopy are the most relied upon modalities of diagnosis used by many clinicians. The aim of this study was to correlate clinical tests and MRI with arthroscopy as the gold standard and whether a negative MRI with a positive clinical test could justify an arthroscopy. Materials and methods A total of 120 consecutive patients who had a history of shoulder pain or instability were evaluated by clinical tests and MRI, and underwent arthroscopy. Based on the confirmatory findings of arthroscopy, they were classified as True Positive (TP), True Negative (TN), False Positive (FP) and False Negative (FN) for each modality i.e., clinical tests and MRI. Results Clinical assessment of rotator cuff tears in comparison to arthroscopy yielded a sensitivity of 96.88%, specificity of 92.86% and diagnostic accuracy of 95%, whilst MRI had a sensitivity of 90.62%, specificity of 92.86% and diagnostic accuracy of 91.67%. In anterior labral lesions, clinical assessment had a sensitivity of 94.44%, specificity of 97.62 % and diagnostic accuracy of 96.67%, whilst MRI had a sensitivity of 83.33%, specificity of 92.86%, with diagnostic accuracy of 90%. Interestingly, in the clinical assessment of superior labral tear from anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesions, a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 95%, and diagnostic accuracy of 93.33% were observed while MRI had a sensitivity of 60%, specificity of 92.50%, and diagnostic accuracy of 81.67%. Conclusion On the basis of these results, clinical assessment appears to be an effective tool in diagnosing shoulder pathologies, whereas MRI, though reliable in the identification of rotator cuff tears and instability, does not identify patients with SLAP lesions effectively. This study reinforces the importance of a good clinical examination of the shoulder, especially in chronic pain and an uncertain MRI, therefore improving patient management.

A phylogenetic and taxonomic review of baviine jumping spiders (Araneae, Salticidae, Baviini).

The systematics and taxonomy of the tropical Asian jumping spiders of the tribe Baviini is reviewed, with a molecular phylogenetic study (UCE sequence capture, traditional Sanger sequencing) guiding a reclassification of the group's genera. The well-studied members of the group are placed into six genera: Bavia Simon, 1877, Indopadilla Caleb & Sankaran, 2019, Padillothorax Simon, 1901, Piranthus Thorell, 1895, Stagetillus Simon, 1885, and one new genus, Maripanthus Maddison, gen. nov. The identity of Padillothorax is clarified, and Bavirecta Kanesharatnam & Benjamin, 2018 synonymized with it. Hyctiota Strand, 1911 is synonymized with Stagetillus. The molecular phylogeny divides the baviines into three clades, the Piranthus clade with a long embolus (Piranthus, Maripanthus), the genus Padillothorax with a flat body and short embolus, and the Bavia clade with a higher body and (usually) short embolus (remaining genera). In general, morphological synapomorphies support or extend the molecularly delimited groups. Eighteen new species are described: Bavia nessagyna, Indopadilla bamilin, I. kodagura, I. nesinor, I. redunca, I. redynis, I. sabivia, I. vimedaba, Maripanthus draconis (type species of Maripanthus), M. jubatus, M. reinholdae, Padillothorax badut, P. mulu, Piranthus api, P. bakau, P. kohi, P. mandai, and Stagetillus irri, all sp. nov., with taxonomic authority W. Maddison. The distinctions between baviines and the astioid Nungia Zabka, 1985 are reviewed, leading to four species being moved into Nungia from Bavia and other genera. Fifteen new combinations are established: Bavia maurerae (Freudenschuss & Seiter, 2016), Indopadilla annamita (Simon, 1903), I. kahariana (Prószynski & Deeleman-Reinhold, 2013), I. sonsorol (Berry, Beatty & Prószynski, 1997), I. suhartoi (Prószynski & Deeleman-Reinhold, 2013), Maripanthus menghaiensis (Cao & Li, 2016), M. smedleyi (Reimoser, 1929), Nungia hatamensis (Thorell, 1881), N. modesta (Keyserling, 1883), N. papakula (Strand, 1911), N. xiaolonghaensis (Cao & Li, 2016), Padillothorax casteti (Simon, 1900), P. exilis (Cao & Li, 2016), P. flavopunctus (Kanesharatnam & Benjamin, 2018), Stagetillus banda (Strand, 1911), all comb. nov. One combination is restored, Bavia capistrata (C. L. Koch, 1846). Five of these new or restored combinations correct previous errors of placing species in genera that have superficially similar palps but extremely different body forms, in fact belonging in distantly related tribes, emphasizing that the general shape of male palps should be used with caution in determining relationships. A little-studied genus, Padillothorus Prószynski, 2018, is tentatively assigned to the Baviini. Ligdus Thorell, 1895 is assigned to the Ballini.

A molecular phylogeny of the cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) with a review of tribe and subfamily classification.

A molecular phylogeny and a review of family-group classification are presented for 137 species (ca. 125 genera) of the insect family Cicadidae, the true cicadas, plus two species of hairy cicadas (Tettigarctidae) and two outgroup species from Cercopidae. Five genes, two of them mitochondrial, comprise the 4992 base-pair molecular dataset. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic results are shown, including analyses to address potential base composition bias. Tettigarcta is confirmed as the sister-clade of the Cicadidae and support is found for three subfamilies identified in an earlier morphological cladistic analysis. A set of paraphyletic deep-level clades formed by African genera are together named as Tettigomyiinae n. stat. Taxonomic reassignments of genera and tribes are made where morphological examination confirms incorrect placements suggested by the molecular tree, and 11 new tribes are defined (Arenopsaltriini n. tribe, Durangonini n. tribe, Katoini n. tribe, Lacetasini n. tribe, Macrotristriini n. tribe, Malagasiini n. tribe, Nelcyndanini n. tribe, Pagiphorini n. tribe, Pictilini n. tribe, Psaltodini n. tribe, and Selymbriini n. tribe). Tribe Tacuini n. syn. is synonymized with Cryptotympanini, and Tryellina n. syn. is synonymized with an expanded Tribe Lamotialnini. Tribe Hyantiini n. syn. is synonymized with Fidicinini. Tribe Sinosenini is transferred to Cicadinae from Cicadettinae, Cicadatrini is moved to Cicadettinae from Cicadinae, and Ydiellini and Tettigomyiini are transferred to Tettigomyiinae n. stat from Cicadettinae. While the subfamily Cicadinae, historically defined by the presence of timbal covers, is weakly supported in the molecular tree, high taxonomic rank is not supported for several earlier clades based on unique morphology associated with sound production.

Revision of the genus Rustia Stål, 1866 (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadinae) including a generic synonymy, four new combinations, and two new species from the Western Ghats, India.

The cicada genus Rustia Stål, 1866 is redescribed. The synonymy of Gudaba Distant, 1906 n. syn. is proposed reassigning the four species of that genus to become Rustia apicata (Distant, 1906) n. comb., Rustia longicauda (Lei, 1996) n. comb., Rustia maculata (Distant, 1912) n. comb., and Rustia marginata (Distant, 1897) n. comb. Two new species, Rustia minuta n. sp. and Rustia kodagura n. sp. that were found during our Indian cicada surveys in the Western Ghats are described. A key for the known species of the genus is provided.

A glycoprotein α-amylase inhibitor from Withania somnifera differentially inhibits various α-amylases and affects the growth and development of Tribolium castaneum.

BACKGROUND: Identification and characterisation of plant defensive molecules enrich our resources to design crop protection strategies. In particular, plant-derived proteinaceous inhibitor(s) of insect digestive enzymes appear to be a safe, sustainable and attractive option. RESULTS: A glycoprotein having non-competitive α-amylase inhibitory activity with a molecular weight of 8.3 kDa was isolated and purified from seeds of Withania somnifera α-amylase inhibitor (WSAI). Its mass spectrometry analysis revealed 59% sequence coverage with Wrightide II-type α-amylase inhibitor from Wrightia religiosa. A dose-dependent inhibition of α-amylases from Aspergillus oryzae, Bacillus subtilis, Helicoverpa armigera and Tribolium castaneum was recorded. Interestingly, WSAI did not inhibit human salivary α-amylase significantly. When adults of T. castaneum were fed with WSAI (1.6 mg g-1 ), decrease in consumption, growth and efficiency of conversion of ingested food was evident, along with over fourfold increases in feeding deterrence index. A decline in larval residual α-amylase activity after feeding of WSAI resulted in a reduction in longevity of T. castaneum. CONCLUSION: The study reflects the significance of WSAI in affecting the overall growth and development of T. castaneum. Pre- and post-harvest pest resistive capability makes WSAI a potential candidate for insect pest management. Further, the effectiveness of this inhibitor could be explored either in formulations or through a transgenic approach. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

The cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka: an annotated provisional catalogue, regional checklist and bibliography.

BACKGROUND: The cicadas of the Indian subcontinent, like many other insects in the region, have remained understudied since the early part of the 20th Century, and await modern taxonomic, systematic and phylogenetic treatment. This paper presents an updated systematic catalogue of cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) from India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka, the first in over a century. NEW INFORMATION: This paper treats 281 species, including: India and Bangladesh (189 species), Bhutan (19 species), Myanmar (81 species), Nepal (46 species) and Sri Lanka (22 species). For each species all recognized junior synonyms are included with information on the type material and additional specimens where relevant. The global distributional range and notes on the taxonomy of each species are included where appropriate. Two lists are provided: (1) species known to occur in India and Bangladesh (treated as a geographic unit), Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka; and (2) species previously listed from these countries in error. A bibliography of species descriptions is provided, with the papers containing the original descriptions provided where copyright allows.