Tapping uncultured microorganisms through metagenomics for drug discovery

Natural products have been an important historical source of therapeutic agents. Microorganisms are major source of bioactive natural products, and several microbial products including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, immunosuppressants and others are currently used as therapeutic agents for human and  domestic animals. Most of these products were obtained from cultured environmental microorganisms. However, it is widely accepted that a very large majority of the microorganisms present in natural  environments are not readily cultured under laboratory conditions, and therefore are not accessible for drug  discovery. Metagenomics is a recent culture-independent approach that has been developed to access the  collective genomes of natural bacterial populations. It enables discovery of the diverse biosynthetic pathways encoded by diverse microbial assemblages that are known to be present in the environment but not-yet  cultured. Recently, several new bioactive molecules and proteins have been discovered using a metagenomic approach. This review highlights the recent methodologies, limitations, and applications of metagenomics for the discovery of new drugs. Moreover, it shows how a multidisciplinary approach combining metagenomics with other technologies can expedite and revolutionize drug discovery from diverse environmental microorganisms.Key words: Microbial diversity, metagenomics, natural products, drug discovery, microbial ecology

PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF L-CARNITINE AND BAKER YEAST SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE AGAINST HEPATIC TOXICITY INDUCED BY VALPROATE AS ANTIEPILEPTIC DRUG IN RATS

Objective: The aim of this work was to investigate the protective role of L-carnitine and baker yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) against the effect of sodium valproate (VPA) induced toxicity and oxidative stress in the liver.Methods: Chronic administration of sodium valproate was studied by oral administration of VPA for six months. The protective effect was conducted by an administration of L-carnitine or/and baker yeast for one month before chronic administration of VPA. Some biochemical parameters, lipid profile, oxidative stress and histopathological studies were analyzed.Results: Chronic administration of VPA for six months caused a significant increase in serum amino transferases (AST, ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, total lipids, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) as well as oxidative stress; malodialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide. While decreased total protein, albumin, and globulin in addition to glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The administration of L-carnitine and baker yeast cause significant decreases in the activities of AST, ALT, bilirubin, lipid peroxidation, LDL level and MDA levels and return the levels of total protein, albumin, globulin, glutathione peroxidase and SOD to the normal levels. Histopathological results revealed improvement of the liver structure.Conclusion: L-carnitine and baker yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) offer protection to the liver by preserving the structural integrity of hepatocellular membrane against sodium valproate induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress.Â

Notes on the Nesting Biology of the Small Carpenter Bee Ceratina smaragdula (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Northwestern Pakistan

The nesting biology and some foraging activities of the familiar, brilliant metallic green, small carpenter bee Ceratina (Pithitis) smaragdula (F.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) is documented from the northwestern-most extent of its natural distribution, as the species is a potentially important pollinator of leguminous and cucurbit crops in the region. Numerous nests around the village of Ismaila, Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan, were observed and sampled from Jun through Aug 2012. Nest details were recorded and foraging times on various floral species were documented, with bees preferentially nesting in wooden stalks of Ravenna grass (Saccharum ravennae L.; Poales: Poaceae), life cycles lasting 28 to 32 d, and conditions offering the potential for easy management. The importance of such studies on wild bees in Pakistan is stressed, as are the development of biotic surveys on bees and the training of regional melittologists, coupled with outreach activities. Resumen La biología de la anidación y algunas actividades de forrajeo de la pequeña abeja carpintera Ceratina (Pithitis) smaragdula (F.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) de tipo familiar y brillante color verde metálico está documentado desde el punto mas noroeste de su distribución natural, ya que la especie es potencialmente un importante polinizador de legumbres y cucurbitáceas en la región. Se observaron numerosos nidos alrededor del pueblo de Ismaila, Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincia, Pakistán, y se tomaron muestras desde junio hasta agosto del 2012. Los detalles de la anidación fueron registrados y se documentaron los tiempos de forrajeo sobre diversas especies florales, con las abejas preferentemente anidando en los tallos de madera de pasto de Rávena (Saccharum ravennae L.; Poales: Poaceae), los ciclos de vida duran de 28 a 32 dias, y las condiciones que ofrecen el potencial para un fácil manejo. Se destaca la importancia de este tipo de estudio sobre las abejas silvestres en Pakistán, igual que el desarrollo de sondeos bióticos sobre las abejas y la formación de melitólogos regionales, junto con actividades de extensión

New genera of meliturguline bees from Saudi Arabia and Persia, with notes on related genera and a key to the Arabian fauna (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae)

A new genus of melitturgine bees (Panurginae: Melitturgini) is described and figured from central Saudi Arabia. Belliturgula najdica Engel, gen. et sp. n., is similar in several respects to the genus Flavomeliturgula Patiny in that both have a greatly elongate glossa that is longer than the face and is truncate apically. The former differs in the greatly elongate and flattened first labial palpomere, the remaining palpomeres unmodified, the greatly protuberant clypeus, and long labrum lacking dense setal patches, among other traits. In addition, remarks are made on the composition of Flavomeliturgula, with Meliturgula deserta Warncke (Iran, Pakistan), removed to Khuzimelissa Engel, gen. n., resulting in the new combination Khuzimelissa deserta (Warncke), comb. n. Khuzimelissa differs from Flavomeliturgula by the unmodified labial palpomeres (lacking the elongate first three labial palpomeres of the latter genus), the acute glossa (broadly truncate in the latter), glossa shorter than head length (greater than head length in the latter), the abundant, white, squamiform setae of the mesoscutum (sparse, erect setae in the latter), cleft pretarsal claws (simple in the latter), presence of metasomal setal bands (lacking in the latter), and apically emarginate pygidial plate (acutely rounded in the latter). The species of Flavomeliturgula are organized into three subgenera, including Koreshomelissa Engel, subgen. n., and Freyamelissa Engel, subgen. n., and these may eventually warrant generic status once phylogenetic work on the tribe has been completed. A key to the Arabian genera of Panurginae is provided, along with an augmented key to the genera of subtribe Meliturgulina

New genera of meliturguline bees from Saudi Arabia and Persia, with notes on related genera and a key to the Arabian fauna (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae)

A new genus of melitturgine bees (Panurginae: Melitturgini) is described and figured from central Saudi Arabia. Belliturgula najdica Engel, gen. et sp. n., is similar in several respects to the genus Flavomeliturgula Patiny in that both have a greatly elongate glossa that is longer than the face and is truncate apically. The former differs in the greatly elongate and flattened first labial palpomere, the remaining palpomeres unmodified, the greatly protuberant clypeus, and long labrum lacking dense setal patches, among other traits. In addition, remarks are made on the composition of Flavomeliturgula, with Meliturgula deserta Warncke (Iran, Pakistan), removed to Khuzimelissa Engel, gen. n., resulting in the new combination Khuzimelissa deserta (Warncke), comb. n. Khuzimelissa differs from Flavomeliturgula by the unmodified labial palpomeres (lacking the elongate first three labial palpomeres of the latter genus), the acute glossa (broadly truncate in the latter), glossa shorter than head length (greater than head length in the latter), the abundant, white, squamiform setae of the mesoscutum (sparse, erect setae in the latter), cleft pretarsal claws (simple in the latter), presence of metasomal setal bands (lacking in the latter), and apically emarginate pygidial plate (acutely rounded in the latter). The species of Flavomeliturgula are organized into three subgenera, including Koreshomelissa Engel, subgen. n., and Freyamelissa Engel, subgen. n., and these may eventually warrant generic status once phylogenetic work on the tribe has been completed. A key to the Arabian genera of Panurginae is provided, along with an augmented key to the genera of subtribe Meliturgulina

A new species of the carpenter bee genus Xylocopa from the Sarawat Mountains in southwestern Saudi Arabia (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

A new species of the carpenter bee genus Xylocopa Latreille (Xylocopinae: Xylocopini) is described and figured from two localities in southern Saudi Arabia. Xylocopa (Koptortosoma) sarawatica Engel, sp. n. is a relatively small species similar to the widespread X. pubescens Spinola, but differs in the extent of maculation in males, setal coloration of both sexes, and male terminalia. A revised key to the species of Xylocopa in Saudi Arabia is provided

Using of Microsilica for Strength Improvement of Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Surface Compounds

This study represents an extension work to investigate the role of ultra fine sand (UFS) in enhancing the mechanical properties of fiber reinforced cementitious compounds. The micro-structural origins were identified by scanning electron microscope (SEM). About 50% of UFS had a diameter of less than 20 μm. Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) was partially substituted by UFS at 3, 5, 7 and 10% by weight of binder. It was found that as UFS loadings increase, the flexural, compressive, and tensile strengths increased up to about 5% UFS loading by 12.9, 15.7 and 30.1%, respectively, thereafter, a decrease in these properties was observed. This can be attributed to the pozzolanic effect besides the filling effect of UFS resulting in enhancing the interfacial bonds between the sand grains and hydration products that makes the paste more homogeneous and dense. The effect of both short natural and artificial fiber loadings on the structural performance of compounds was also studied. Loadings of 2%, by weight, of short natural date palm leaves’ midribs fibers (DP) and artificial polypropylene fibers (PP) were added to the 5% UFS blended mix. An increase in both flexural and tensile strength was achieved, while a decrease in the compressive strength was observed.</jats:p

Nesting Preference, Nesting Biology and Associated Natural Enemies of Chalichadoma flavipes Spinola, 1838 (hymenoptera: Megachilidae)

Bees of genus Chalichadoma is a diverse group with numerous species mainly present in the Mediterranean region. Most of these species are using mud for building their nests, while some species are cavity nesting using available holes in the nesting area. The present &nbsp;research was conducted during the years of 2020 and 2022, after the discovery of several natural nests in some villages around El Tal El Kebir and El Qassasin areas, 30.31N 31.48E (Eastern of Cairo).&nbsp; Several solitary bees species were found in the area but the most important species were Chalichadoma nigripes Spinola, 1838 and Chalichadoma flavipes Spinola, 1838, as well as several species of the genus Megachile. Meanwhile, the most abundant species were M. minutissima Radoszkowski, 1876 and M. patellimana Spinola, 1838. Few species of Osminii were also recorded specially Osmia submicans Morawitz, 1870. All nests were associated with several cleptoparasitic bees, parasitic wasps and predators such as beetle of the genus Trichodes sp. Several materials were examined &nbsp;to choose recommended material for artificial nesting. Wood material was the the most suitable material.&nbsp; The study has also highlighted &nbsp;some notes of the biology of&nbsp; Chalichadoma flavipes Spinola.&nbsp;&nbsp