Evaluation of qualitative phytochemicals and antifungal activity of aqueous leaf extract of Senna tora on downy mildew of cabbage

This study was embarked upon to evaluate the efficacy of aqueous extracts of Senna tora leaf against Perenospora parasitica, causing downy mildew on cabbage. Phytochemical analysis of the leaf extracts revealed the presence of some secondary metabolites (Tannins, Saponins, Flavonoid, Glycosides, Alkaloids, Phenolic compounds and Carbohydrates) which have been reported to have antimicrobial effects. Assays were performed using extract concentrations of 1000, 500, 250, 125 mg/ml by agar well diffusion technique. Results obtained, revealed a significant difference in diameter of mycelial zone of inhibition between the concentrations. Highest zone of inhibition was recorded at 1000 and 500 mg/ml (20 and 15 mm) respectively. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) were determined and recorded at 250 mg/ml. The antifungal screening revealed that the extract exhibited inhibitory activities at varying concentrations against the downy mildew pathogen. These activities observed could be attributed to the presence of active metabolites contained in the extract.Keywords: Aqueous leaf extract, Downy mildew, Perenospora parasitica and Senna tor

Structure Demographique D’un Labeo Africain, Labeo coubie Rüppel, 1832 (Pisces: Cyprinidae), Dans Le Lac De Barrage De Taabo (Bassin Du Bandama, Côte D’ivoire)

La structure démographique de Labeo coubie a été étudiée en vue d’une gestion rationnelle du stock de poissons dans le lac Taabo. Des échantillonnages ont été effectués en juillet, octobre et décembre 2006, puis en mars et juin 2007. Les analyses ont porté sur la dynamique spatio-temporelle du sex-ratio, de la structure des tailles, des relations longueur-poids et du coefficient de condition. Le sex-ratio global a été en faveur des mâles (1,35 : 1) mais, n’a pas été significativement différent de la valeur d’équilibre. La taille moyenne des spécimens collectés en amont du lac (206,18 ± 63,55 mm LS) a été significativement plus importante (p<0,05) que celle des individus obtenus en aval (179,94 ± 56,66 mm LS). De même, la taille moyenne enregistrée pendant les mois de crue (285,28 ± 34,69 mm LS) a été largement supérieure à celle des mois de décrue (190,14 ± 61,13 mm LS), avec une croissance isométrique à l’échelle du lac (b = 2,97). Le coefficient moyen de condition obtenu dans la partie amont (3,59 ± 0,39) a été plus important (p<0,05) que celui observé dans la partie aval (2,29 ± 0,31).The demographic characteristics of Labeo coubie from lake Taabo was assessed, in order to establish the basis for a rational management of the stock of this fish. Samplings were done at different periods: in July, October and December 2006, and again in March and June 2007. Analyses were concerned with the spatiotemporal dynamics of sex-ratio, size and the structure, as well as length-weight relationships and condition factor of the fish. Results show that overall sex-ratio was in favor of males (1.35 : 1) but, it did not differ significantly from the equilibrium point. The mean size of the fish collected upper stream (206.18 ± 63.55 mm SL) was significantly higher than that from downstream (179.94 ± 56.66 mm SL) of the lake. Moreover, the mean size recorded during the inflow months (285.28 ± 34.69 mm SL) was significantly higher than that recorded during the months of low waters (190.14 ± 61.13 mm SL). Fish growth appeared isometric at the scale of the lake (b = 2.97). The average condition factor obtained upstream (3.59 ± 0.39), was higher (p<0.05) than that from downstream (2.29 ± 0.31).Keywords: Labeo coubie, demographic structure, lake Taabo, Côte d’Ivoir

FISH DIVERSITY ALONG THE LONGITUDINAL GRADIENT IN A MAN–MADE LAKE OF WEST AFRICA, TAABO HYDROELECTRIC RESERVOIR, IVORY COAST

Fish assemblage patterns in Taabo Reservoir, a hydroelectric lake of Ivory Coast, were studied and related to the longitudinal gradient (river–dam gradient) composed of riverine, transitional, and lacustrine zones. Data were collected at 5 stations and each one was sampled during 5 surveys. Fish community structure was analysed using alpha and beta diversity indices. In total, 53 fish species were obtained in the whole ecosystem. Total species richness recorded at each ecological zone was 42, 43 and 45 species respectively in the riverine, transitional and lacustrine zones. Alpha diversity did not differed significantly along the longitudinal gradient but reached the highest value (33 species) in the transitional zone and the lowest (18 species) occurred in both the riverine and lacustrine zones. Temporal variability of Alpha diversity according to the hydrological regime of the lake differed with the zone. Beta diversity showed that fish assemblages similarity was higher between the transitional and the riverine zones (βw = 0.43) and lower between the riverine and the lacustrine zones (βw = 0.79)

RAZNOLIKOST RIBA U UMJETNOM JEZERU ZAPADNE AFRIKE, HIDROELEKTRANA TAABO, OBALA BJELOKOSTI

Fish assemblage patterns in Taabo Reservoir, a hydroelectric lake of Ivory Coast, were studied and related to the longitudinal gradient (river–dam gradient) composed of riverine, transitional, and lacustrine zones. Data were collected at 5 stations and each one was sampled during 5 surveys. Fish community structure was analysed using alpha and beta diversity indices. In total, 53 fish species were obtained in the whole ecosystem. Total species richness recorded at each ecological zone was 42, 43 and 45 species respectively in the riverine, transitional and lacustrine zones. Alpha diversity did not differed significantly along the longitudinal gradient but reached the highest value (33 species) in the transitional zone and the lowest (18 species) occurred in both the riverine and lacustrine zones. Temporal variability of Alpha diversity according to the hydrological regime of the lake differed with the zone. Beta diversity showed that fish assemblages similarity was higher between the transitional and the riverine zones (βw = 0.43) and lower between the riverine and the lacustrine zones (βw = 0.79).Uzorci riba jezera hidroelektrane Taabo u Obali Bjelokosti proučavani su u odnosu na uzdužni gradijent (rijeka — nasip) koji se odnosi na riječnu, prijelaznu i jezersku zonu. Podaci su sakupljani na pet lokaliteta. Struktura zajednica riba analizirana je s pomoću alfa i beta–indeksa raznolikosti. Ukupno u cijelom ekosustavu bile su 53 vrste riba. Ukupno bogatstvo vrsta zabilježeno na svakoj ekološkoj zoni jest 42, 43, odnosno 45 vrsta, i to u riječnoj, jezerskoj i prijelaznoj zoni. Alfa–raznolikost nije se značajno razlikovala duž uzdužnoga gradijenta već je dosegla najvišu vrijednost (33 vrsta) u prijelaznoj zoni, a najnižu (18 vrsta) u riječnoj i jezerskoj zoni. Beta–raznolikost je pokazala da je veća sličnost riba kod prijelazne i riječne zone (βw = 0,43), a niža između riječne i jezerske zone (βw = 0,79)

Copper Induced Lysosomal Membrane Destabilisation in Haemolymph Cells of Mediterranean Green Crab (Carcinus aestuarii, Nardo, 1847) from the Narta Lagoon (Albania)

ABSTRACTDestabilisation of blood cell lysosomes in Mediterranean green crabCarcinus aestuarii was investigated using Neutral Red Retention Assay (NRRA). Crabs collected in Narta Lagoon, Vlora (Albania) during May 2014 were exposed in the laboratory to sub-lethal, environmentally realistic concentrations of copper. Neutral Red Retention Time (NRRT) and glucose concentration in haemolymph of animals were measured. The mean NRRT showed a significant reduction for the animals of the treatment group compared to the control one (from 118.6 ± 28.4 to 36.4 ± 10.48 min, p<0.05), indicating damage of lysosomal membrane. Haemolymph glucose concentration was significantly higher in the treatment group (from 37.8 ± 2.7 to 137.8.4 ± 16.2 mg/dL, p<0.05) than in control group, demonstrating the presence of stress on the animals. These results showed thatC. aestuarii could be used as a successful and reliable bioindicator for evaluating the exposure to contaminants in laboratory conditions. NRRA provides a successful tool for rapid assessment of heavy metal pollution effects on marine biota

EURECA: European-Japanese microcalorimeter array

The EURECA project aims to demonstrate technological readiness of a micro-calorimeter array for application in future X-ray astronomy missions, like Constellation-X, EDGE, and XEUS. The prototype instrument consists of a 5 × 5 pixel array of TES-based micro-calorimeters read out by two SQUID-amplifier channels using frequency-domain-multiplexing (FDM) with digital base-band feedback. The detector array is cooled by a cryogen-free cryostat consisting of a pulse tube cooler and a two stage ADR. Initial tests of the system at the PTB beam line of the BESSY synchrotron showed stable performance and an X-ray energy resolution of 1.5 eV at 250 eV for read-out of one TES-pixel only. Next step is deployment of FDM to read-out the full array. Full performance demonstration is expected end 2008.This work was financially supported by the Dutch Organization for Scientific Research (NWO).Peer Reviewe

Association of respiratory symptoms and lung function with occupation in the multinational Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has been associated with exposures in the workplace. We aimed to assess the association of respiratory symptoms and lung function with occupation in the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease study. Methods We analysed cross-sectional data from 28 823 adults (≥40 years) in 34 countries. We considered 11 occupations and grouped them by likelihood of exposure to organic dusts, inorganic dusts and fumes. The association of chronic cough, chronic phlegm, wheeze, dyspnoea, forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/FVC with occupation was assessed, per study site, using multivariable regression. These estimates were then meta-analysed. Sensitivity analyses explored differences between sexes and gross national income. Results Overall, working in settings with potentially high exposure to dusts or fumes was associated with respiratory symptoms but not lung function differences. The most common occupation was farming. Compared to people not working in any of the 11 considered occupations, those who were farmers for ≥20 years were more likely to have chronic cough (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.19–1.94), wheeze (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.16–1.63) and dyspnoea (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.53–2.20), but not lower FVC (β=0.02 L, 95% CI −0.02–0.06 L) or lower FEV1/FVC (β=0.04%, 95% CI −0.49–0.58%). Some findings differed by sex and gross national income. Conclusion At a population level, the occupational exposures considered in this study do not appear to be major determinants of differences in lung function, although they are associated with more respiratory symptoms. Because not all work settings were included in this study, respiratory surveillance should still be encouraged among high-risk dusty and fume job workers, especially in low- and middle-income countries.publishedVersio

[email protected]; phone +31 30 2535710; fax +31 30 2540860, www.sron.nl Space Telescopes and Instrumentation

ABSTRACT The EURECA (EURopean-JapanEse Calorimeter Array) project aims to demonstrate the science performance and technological readiness of an imaging X-ray spectrometer based on a micro-calorimeter array for application in future X-ray astronomy missions, like Constellation-X and XEUS. The prototype instrument consists of a 5 x 5 pixel array of TES-based micro-calorimeters read out by by two SQUID-amplifier channels using frequency-domain-multiplexing (FDM). The SQUID-amplifiers are linearized by digital base-band feedback. The detector array is cooled in a cryogenfree cryostat consisting of a pulse tube cooler and a two stage ADR. A European-Japanese consortium designs, fabricates, and tests this prototype instrument. This paper describes the instrument concept, and shows the design and status of the various sub-units, like the TES detector array, LC-filters, SQUID-amplifiers, AC-bias sources, digital electronics, etc. Initial tests of the system at the PTB beam line of the BESSY synchrotron showed stable performance and an X-ray energy resolution of 1.58 eV at 250 eV and 2.5 eV @ 5.9 keV for the read-out of one TES-pixel only. Next step is deployment of FDM to read-out the full array. Full performance demonstration is expected mid 2009