Barcoding: Comparison of Variation Degree of COI and Cytochrome b Mitochondrial Markers in Two Species Primary Maize Pests (Sitophilus zeamais and Sitophilus oryzae)

The phylogeny, taxonomy and identification of insects were originally based upon shared or derived morphological and anatomy criteria. However, these processes are confronted with the barrier of the existence of sympatric or cryptic species. Thus, genetic analyses have more recently played an increasingly important role in confirming existing or establishing often radically different insect

Intraoral premalign ve malign lezyonlu hastaların doku örneklerindeki candida türlerinin DNA analiziyle belirlenmesi ve sağlıklı doku ile karşılaştırılması

Amaç: Bu retrospektif çalışmada premalign ve malign lezyonlu ile sağlıklı bireylere ait doku örneklerindeki Candida albicans, Candida kruseii, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis ve Candida glabrata türlerinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır.  Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya oral premalign veya malign lezyon şüphesi nedeniyle biyopsi uygulanmış doku örnekleri dahil edildi. Örnekler histolojik özelliklerine göre sağlıklı (n=20), displazi (n=20), karsinoma in-situ (n=20) ve skuamoz hücreli karsinom (SHK) (n=20) olmak üzere 4 gruba ayrıldı. DNA izolasyonunun ardından Candida türlerine ait DNA örneklerinin miktar ve saflık kontrolleri gerçekleştirildi. Kantitatif ölçümler için Real-Time PCR (LightCycler 96, Almanya) kullanıldı ve standart eğriler hesaplandı. Veriler Mann-Whitney ve Wilcoxon Signed Ranks testleri ile değerlendirildi (P<0.05).Bulgular: Sağlıklı ve displazik örneklerin yer aldığı gruplarda C. parapsilosis (104DNA/50 mg) en sık görülen Candida türüydü. Karsinoma in-situ grubunda C. tropicalis ve C. kruseii (103DNA/50 mg), SHK grubunda ise C. kruseii (104DNA/50 mg) seviyelerinin daha yüksek olduğu belirlendi. Örneklerin hiçbirinde C. albicans varlığı gösterilemedi. Gruplar arasında farklı Candida türlerinin sayısına göre anlamlı bir fark gözlenmedi (P>0.05). Farklı Candida türlerinin gruplar içerisindeki seviyeleri incelendiğinde; sağlıklı örneklerde C. glabrata (103DNA/50 mg), displazi grubunda C. parapsilosis (104DNA/50 mg), karsinoma in-situ grubunda C. tropicalis-C. kruseii (103DNA/50 mg), SHK grubunda ise C. kruseii’nin (103DNA/50 mg) en fazla sayıda gözlenen Candida türü olduğu belirlendi. Candida türlerinin gruplar içerisindeki dağılımı anlamlı değildi (P>0.05).Sonuç: Sağlıklı, displazik, karsinoma in situ ve skuamöz hücreli karsinoma doku örneklerinde Real-Time PCR yöntemiyle yapılan kantitatif değerlendirmede Candida türlerinin tüm gruplarda benzer oranda mevcut oldukları belirlendi.ANAHTAR KELİMELER Oral Candida, C. albicans, ağız kanseri, Real-Time PCR, moleküler analiz &nbsp

Microorganism compositions for the degradation of lipids in wastewater

This thesis aimed to establish consortia of microorganisms that can degrade crude oil, diesel and vegetable oil efficiently. The degradation rates were determined using gravimetric analysis method. GC and HPLC were respectively used to determine the residual hydrocarbons and triacylglycerides. After sampling, the phylogenetic analyses classified the selected strains as Acinetobacter (2SA, 2SC, C1-8 and C1-9), Bacillus (7SA), Chryseobacterium (2SB) and Pseudomonas (NPK). 2SB, 7SA and NPK isolates displayed ability to produce biosurfactants. A consortium consisting of 2SA, C1-8, C1-9 and NPK was established for the degradation of oily sludge. Acinetobacter strains showed high degradation capability of alkanes, while PAHs were degraded by NPK and 2SA. The rate of oily sludge degradation by the consortium was optimum (93%) at 30°C, pH 7. The gDNA of strain 2SA revealed the presence three different alkane hydroxylases (AH) genes (alkB, almA and cyp153), while that of strains C1-8 and C1-9 harboured alkB and almA. The influence of kurstakin molecules on the ability of 2SA to degrade diesel oil was also evaluated. The results showed that the diesel oil degradation was less in the absence of kurstakin (70%) than its presence (90%). A consortium of 2SA, 2SB and 2SC was able to degrade 96% of olive oil after 14 days. The isolates recorded high lipase production using the tributyrin agar test.This thesis aimed to establish consortia of microorganisms that can degrade crude oil, diesel and vegetable oil efficiently. The degradation rates were determined using gravimetric analysis method. GC and HPLC were respectively used to determine the residual hydrocarbons and triacylglycerides. After sampling, the phylogenetic analyses classified the selected strains as Acinetobacter (2SA, 2SC, C1-8 and C1-9), Bacillus (7SA), Chryseobacterium (2SB) and Pseudomonas (NPK). 2SB, 7SA and NPK isolates displayed ability to produce biosurfactants. A consortium consisting of 2SA, C1-8, C1-9 and NPK was established for the degradation of oily sludge. Acinetobacter strains showed high degradation capability of alkanes, while PAHs were degraded by NPK and 2SA. The rate of oily sludge degradation by the consortium was optimum (93%) at 30°C, pH 7. The gDNA of strain 2SA revealed the presence three different alkane hydroxylases (AH) genes (alkB, almA and cyp153), while that of strains C1-8 and C1-9 harboured alkB and almA. The influence of kurstakin molecules on the ability of 2SA to degrade diesel oil was also evaluated. The results showed that the diesel oil degradation was less in the absence of kurstakin (70%) than its presence (90%). A consortium of 2SA, 2SB and 2SC was able to degrade 96% of olive oil after 14 days. The isolates recorded high lipase production using the tributyrin agar test

Kurstakin molecules facilitate diesel oil assimilation by Acinetobacter haemolyticus strain 2SA through overexpression of alkane hydroxylase genes

Ozdemir, Guven/0000-0002-7577-4233; SAHAR, Umut/0000-0002-2200-6986; Vural, Caner/0000-0003-1400-6377; DIALLO, Mamadou Malick/0000-0001-8264-2960WOS: 000497848100001PubMed: 31752596Biodegradation is a cost-effective process commonly used to eliminate many xenobiotic hydrocarbons such as diesel oils. However, their hydrophobic character reduces the biodegradation efficiency. in order to overcome this hurdle, kurstakins isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis strain 7SA were used as emulsifying agents. the influence of kurstakin molecules on diesel oil degradation by Acinetobacter haemolyticus strain 2SA was evaluated in the presence and absence of the aforementioned lipopeptide. the degradation rates and gene expressions of alkane hydroxylases were evaluated at days 4, 10, 14 and 21. Results showed that kurstakin molecules increased the hydrophobicity of 2SA. Moreover, diesel oil degradation activities were higher in the presence of kurstakin with 29%, 35%, 29% and 23% improvement at 4th, 10th, 14th and 21st day respectively. Statistical analysis indicated that the difference between the degradation rates in the presence and absence of kurstakin was significant with p = 0.03. the detection of three different hydroxylase genes namely alkB, almA and cyp153 in 2SA genome, might have allowed more efficient degradability of alkanes. According to the real-time PCR results, cyp153 was the most induced gene during diesel oil degradation in the presence and absence of kurstakin. Yet, the three genes demonstrated higher levels of expression in the presence of kurstakin when compared to its absence. This study showed that kurstakins enhance the diesel oil biodegradation rate by increasing the hydrophobicity of 2SA. in addition to their anti-fungal activities, kurstakins can be used as biosurfactant to increase biodegradation of diesel oil

The effect of carbon, nitrogen and iron ions on mono-rhamnolipid production and rhamnolipid synthesis gene expression by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442

Ozdemir, Guven/0000-0002-7577-4233; Shatila, Fatima/0000-0001-9246-8847; DIALLO, Mamadou Malick/0000-0001-8264-2960WOS: 000519861200001PubMed: 32173773Pseudomonas spp. are the main producers of rhamnolipids. These products have applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food industry and bioremediation. the biosynthesis of rhamnolipids is influenced by nutrient composition, pH and temperature. in this study, the impact of nutrients on the expression levels of rhamnolipid synthesis genes was evaluated in P. aeruginosa ATCC 15442. Glucose and glycerol were used as carbon sources; while, NaNO3, NH4NO3 and yeast extract/peptone were employed as nitrogen sources. the effect of different concentrations of Fe2+ and Fe3+ on rhamnolipid synthesis genes was also evaluated. Highest biosurfactant production was obtained in minimal medium supplemented with glucose, NaNO3 and Fe2+. Two rhamnolipid synthesis genes, rhlA and rhlB, were amplified with PCR. CapLC ESI-Ion trap-MS/MS detected only mono-rhamnolipid Rha-C-10-C-10 in the extract. Although similar induction levels were recorded in the presence of 0.05 g/L iron ions, the presence of Fe2+ resulted in higher expression levels than Fe3+ at concentrations equivalent to 0.025 and 0.075 g/L

High expression of ring-hydroxylating dioxygenase genes ensure efficient degradation of p-toluate, phthalate, and terephthalate by Comamonas testosteroni strain 3a2

Para-toluic acid, a major pollutant in industrial wastewater, is hazardous to human health. It has been demonstrated that Gram-negative bacteria are among the most effective degraders of para-toluic acid. In this study, the ability of Comamonas testosteroni strain 3a2, isolated from a petrochemical industry wastewater, to degrade para-toluic acid was investigated. The effect of different carbon (glucose and ethylene glycol) and nitrogen sources (urea, yeast extract, peptone, NaNO3, NH4NO3) on the biodegradation of para-toluic acid by the isolate 3a2 was evaluated. Furthermore, ring hydroxylating dioxygenase genes were amplified by PCR and their expression was evaluated during the biodegradation of para-toluic acid. The results indicated that strain 3a2 was able to degrade up to 1000 mg/L of para-toluic acid after 14 h. The highest degradation yield was recorded in the presence of yeast extract as nitrogen source. However, the formation of terephthalic acid and phthalic acid was noted during para-toluic acid degradation by the isolate 3a2. Toluate 1,2-dioxygenase, terephthalate 1,2 dioxygenase, and phthalate 4,5 dioxygenase genes were detected in the genomic DNA of 3a2. The induction of ring hydroxylating dioxygenase genes was proportional to the concentration of each hydrocarbon. This study showed that the isolate 3a2 can produce terephthalate and phthalate during the para-toluic acid biodegradation, which were also degraded after 24 h.Ege University, Scientific Research Projects Fund [BAP FKB-2019-20395]; inistry of Development Ege University Application and Research Center for Testing and Analysis (EGE-MATAL) [2010K120810]; TUBTAK [112D044-TUBTAK]The authors wish to thank Ege University, Scientific Research Projects Fund, (BAP FKB-2019-20395) for the financial support of this study. This work supported by the Ministry of Development Ege University Application and Research Center for Testing and Analysis (EGE-MATAL; 2010K120810). The bacteria used in the study were isolated within the TUBITAK project. The authors wish to thank TUBTAK (Project number: 112D044-TUBTAK)

Host feeding preferences of malaria vectors in an area of low malaria transmission

International audienceStudying the behaviour and trophic preferences of mosquitoes is an important step in understanding the exposure of vertebrate hosts to vector-borne diseases. In the case of human malaria, transmission increases when mosquitoes feed more on humans than on other animals. Therefore, understanding the spatio-temporal dynamics of vectors and their feeding preferences is essential for improving vector control measures. In this study, we investigated the feeding behaviour of Anopheles mosquitoes at two sites in the Sudanian areas of Senegal where transmission is low following the implementation of vector control measures. Blood-fed mosquitoes were collected monthly from July to November 2022 by pyrethrum spray catches in sleeping rooms of almost all houses in Dielmo and Ndiop villages, and blood meals were identified as from human, bovine, ovine, equine and chicken by ELISA. Species from the An. gambiae complex were identified by PCR. The types and numbers of potential domestic animal hosts were recorded in each village. The Human Blood Index (HBI) and the Manly Selection Ratio (MSR) were calculated to determine whether hosts were selected in proportion to their abundance. Spatio-temporal variation in HBI was examined using the Moran's index. A total of 1251 endophilic Anopheles females were collected in 115 bedrooms, including 864 blood fed females of 6 species. An. arabiensis and An. funestus were predominant in Dielmo and Ndiop, respectively. Of the 864 blood meals tested, 853 gave a single host positive result mainly on bovine, equine, human, ovine and chicken in decreasing order in both villages. Overall, these hosts were not selected in proportion to their abundance. The human host was under-selected, highlighting a marked zoophily for the vectors. Over time and space, the HBI were low with no obvious trend, with higher and lower values observed in each of the five months at different points in each village. These results highlight the zoophilic and exophagic behaviour of malaria vectors. This behaviour is likely to be a consequence of the distribution and use of LLINs in both villages and may increase risk of residual outdoor transmission. This underlines the need to study the feeding host profile of outdoor resting populations and how domestic animals may influence malaria epidemiology in order to tailor effective malaria vector control strategies in the two villages. To better understand the dynamics of malaria transmission, the identification of blood meal sources of Anopheles vectors is essential to assess the risk of human exposure 1. Of the 500 described Anopheles species, about 60 are responsible for the majority of malaria cases 2,3. In most regions where they occur, An. gambiae, An. arabiensis, An. coluzzii and An. funestus are the most prevalent and most involved in malaria transmission and are therefore, considered the main vectors of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa 4-6. Considered for a long time as highly anthropophilic and endophilic species, several recent papers have highlighted a zoophilic tendency following the implementation of vector control strategies 7-9. Furthermore, known for their crepuscular and nocturnal biting activity, a switch in biting behaviour has been demonstrated at times and places where humans are not protected 10,11. Thus, determining the trophic preferences of vectors and their human blood index are important for understanding their biting behaviour, especially in areas where additiona

Host feeding preferences of malaria vectors in an area of low malaria transmission

Abstract Studying the behaviour and trophic preferences of mosquitoes is an important step in understanding the exposure of vertebrate hosts to vector-borne diseases. In the case of human malaria, transmission increases when mosquitoes feed more on humans than on other animals. Therefore, understanding the spatio-temporal dynamics of vectors and their feeding preferences is essential for improving vector control measures. In this study, we investigated the feeding behaviour of Anopheles mosquitoes at two sites in the Sudanian areas of Senegal where transmission is low following the implementation of vector control measures. Blood-fed mosquitoes were collected monthly from July to November 2022 by pyrethrum spray catches in sleeping rooms of almost all houses in Dielmo and Ndiop villages, and blood meals were identified as from human, bovine, ovine, equine and chicken by ELISA. Species from the An. gambiae complex were identified by PCR. The types and numbers of potential domestic animal hosts were recorded in each village. The Human Blood Index (HBI) and the Manly Selection Ratio (MSR) were calculated to determine whether hosts were selected in proportion to their abundance. Spatio-temporal variation in HBI was examined using the Moran’s index. A total of 1251 endophilic Anopheles females were collected in 115 bedrooms, including 864 blood fed females of 6 species. An. arabiensis and An. funestus were predominant in Dielmo and Ndiop, respectively. Of the 864 blood meals tested, 853 gave a single host positive result mainly on bovine, equine, human, ovine and chicken in decreasing order in both villages. Overall, these hosts were not selected in proportion to their abundance. The human host was under-selected, highlighting a marked zoophily for the vectors. Over time and space, the HBI were low with no obvious trend, with higher and lower values observed in each of the five months at different points in each village. These results highlight the zoophilic and exophagic behaviour of malaria vectors. This behaviour is likely to be a consequence of the distribution and use of LLINs in both villages and may increase risk of residual outdoor transmission. This underlines the need to study the feeding host profile of outdoor resting populations and how domestic animals may influence malaria epidemiology in order to tailor effective malaria vector control strategies in the two villages