Comparison of Leishmania killicki (syn. L-tropica) and Leishmania tropica population structure in Maghreb by microsatellite typing

Leishmania (L.) killicki (syn. L. tropica), which causes cutaneous leishmaniasis in Maghreb, was recently described in this region and identified as a subpopulation of L. tropica. The present genetic analysis was conducted to explore the spatio-temporal distribution of L. killicki (syn. L. tropica) and its transmission dynamics. To better understand the evolution of this parasite, its population structure was then compared with that of L. tropica populations from Morocco. In total 198 samples including 85 L. killicki (syn. L. tropica) (from Tunisia, Algeria and Libya) and 113 L. tropica specimens (all from Morocco) were tested. Theses samples were composed of 168 Leishmania strains isolated from human skin lesions, 27 DNA samples from human skin lesion biopsies, two DNA samples from Ctenodactylus gundi bone marrow and one DNA sample from a Phlebotomus sergenti female. The sample was analyzed by using MultiLocus Enzyme Electrophoresis (MLEE) and MultiLocus Microsatellite Typing (MLMT) approaches. Analysis of the MLMT data support the hypothesis that L. killicki (syn. L. tropica) belongs to the L. tropica complex, despite its strong genetic differentiation, and that it emerged from this taxon by a founder effect. Moreover, it revealed a strong structuring in L. killicki (syn. L. tropica) between Tunisia and Algeria and within the different Tunisian regions, suggesting low dispersion of L. killicki (syn. L. tropica) in space and time. Comparison of the L. tropica (exclusively from Morocco) and L. killicki (syn. L. tropica) population structures revealed distinct genetic organizations, reflecting different epidemiological cycles

First Molecular Epidemiological Study of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Libya

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. The disease is characterized by the formation of chronic skin lesions followed by permanent scars and deformation of the infected area. It is distributed in many tropical and subtropical countries with more than 2 million cases every year. During the past few years CL has emerged as a major public health problem in Libya. So far, diagnosis was based on clinical symptoms and microscopic observation of parasites. Disease outbreaks were not investigated and the causative leishmanial species of CL were not identified so far. Our study indicates the presence of two coexisting species: Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica. These results are crucial in order to provide accurate treatment, precise prognosis and appropriate public health control measures. The recent armed conflict in Libya that ended with the Gadhafi regime collapse on October 2011 has affected all aspects of the life in the country. In this study we discussed multiple risk factors that could be associated with this conflict and present major challenges that should be considered by local and national health authorities for evaluating the CL burden and highlighting priority actions for disease control

Directed self-assembly, symmetry breaking, and electronic modulation of metal oxide clusters by pyramidal heteroanions

Mixed valence/metal polyoxometalate (POM) clusters are one of the most interesting host species showing the ability to incorporate a wide range of heteroatoms of various charges and geometries. We report herein, the incorporation of different pyramidal EO32- heteroanions (E = PH, S, Se, Te) which are responsible not only for directing the templated assembly of a family of mixed-metal POMs but also for the symmetry-breaking of the traditional Dawson architecture and modulation of the electronic characteristics of the cluster's shell. The isolated family of POMs consists of four members: (Me2NH2)5Na2[Mo11V7O52(HPO3)]·MeOH·5H2O (1), (NH4)7[Mo11V7O52(SO3)]·12H2O (2), K7[Mo11V7O52(SeO3)]·31H2O (3), (Me2NH2)6Na[Mo11V7O52(TeO3)]·15H2O (4), and were characterized by X-ray structural analysis, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV-vis, IR, elemental and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) analysis, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic studies in concert with density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations elucidate the effect of the heteroatom on the electronic properties of the cluster

Meeting sustainable development goals via robotics and autonomous systems

Robotics and autonomous systems are reshaping the world, changing healthcare, food production and biodiversity management. While they will play a fundamental role in delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals, associated opportunities and threats are yet to be considered systematically. We report on a horizon scan evaluating robotics and autonomous systems impact on all Sustainable Development Goals, involving 102 experts from around the world. Robotics and autonomous systems are likely to transform how the Sustainable Development Goals are achieved, through replacing and supporting human activities, fostering innovation, enhancing remote access and improving monitoring. Emerging threats relate to reinforcing inequalities, exacerbating environmental change, diverting resources from tried-and-tested solutions and reducing freedom and privacy through inadequate governance. Although predicting future impacts of robotics and autonomous systems on the Sustainable Development Goals is difficult, thoroughly examining technological developments early is essential to prevent unintended detrimental consequences. Additionally, robotics and autonomous systems should be considered explicitly when developing future iterations of the Sustainable Development Goals to avoid reversing progress or exacerbating inequalities

Identification of an insecticidal polyacetilene derivative from Chrysanthemum macrotum leaves

Compounds responsible for insecticidal properties of Chrysanthemum macrotum (D.R.) Ball. leaves against Spodoptera littoralis Boiduval caterpillars have been investigated. The screening of the insecticidal activity was performed by incorporating methanol, buthanol or ethyl acetate extracts, or some chromatographic fractions to the caterpillars’ artificial diet. It was noted that extracts and fractions ameliorated or disturbed nutritional indexes, being not always toxic for caterpillars. Among the tested fractions, one pure compound with a high insecticidal activity (percentage of mortality 66.7%) was purified. The nuclear magnetic resonance study allowed its identification as a polyacetylene derivative, in particular a spiroketal enol ether one

Insecticidal Activities of Tunisian Halophytic Plant Extracts against Larvae and Adults of Tribolium confusum

Salt marsh plants were tested for their insecticidal activities against adults and larvae of Tribolium confusum. Sixteen aerial part extracts of Frankenia laevis, Statice echioides, Suaeda fructicosa and Tamarix boveana were obtained using organic solvents of increasing polarity and tested for their insect growth, antifeedant and toxicity effects. Responses varied with plant material, extract type, insect stage and exposition time. Larval growth inhibition was significantly induced by chloroformic, ethyl acetate extracts of F. laevis, S. echioides and T. boveana, and petroleum ether extract of F. laevis. On the other hand, all extracts of S. fructicosa and the methanolic ones of the four plants tested didn't show any significant activity. In addition, ethyl acetate extracts of F. laevis, S. echioides and T. boveana and petroleum ether extract of F. laevis presented antifeedant property. S. fructicosa seemed to be, however, slightly attractive to the flour beetle. For all extracts, mortality was higher for larvae than adults. By using ethyl acetate extracts of F. laevis, S. echioides and T. boveana, and petroleum ether extract of F. laevis, mortality reached respectively 97, 87, 97 and 80%, when applied at a dose of 1%, mixed with the insect diet

Feeding perturbation and toxic activity of five Chrysanthemum species crude extracts against Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae)

The effect of the whole methanol extracts of five Chrysanthemum species on feeding and performance of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) larvae has been investigated in vitro. The extracts exhibited antifeeding and phagostimulating activities against cotton leafworm larvae when applied either on leaf discs or incorporated into an artificial diet. Under chosen conditions, the antifeedant index calculated over 24 h for sixth instar larvae significantly varied from 78.55 for Chrysanthemum segetum L. to -44.18 for Chrysanthemum fuscatum Desf. at the dose of 1000 ppm. Toxicity of the extracts was manifested by a high mortality, reduced growth rates, and low weight gain by larvae fed on diets containing 1000-10,000 ppm of the extract. Anyone of the larvae treated with Chrysanthemum macrotum (D.R.) Ball. leaves crude extract survived to pupation at the two higher concentrations. The time to pupation increased for Chrysanthemum grandiflorum flowers crude extract from 11.40±0.93 to 28.93±10.92 days as the extract concentration in the diet increased from 0 to 10,000 ppm. The ingestion of crude extract by the third instar larvae reduced significantly the consumption, growth and utilisation of the ingested and digested food, and reduced digestibility. The crude extract of the leaves of C. macrotum, dissolved in acetone and topically applied on sixth instar larvae, showed a quite high mortality (95%). These results suggest the presence in the extracts of anti-feeding and/or toxic substances, active by consumption and topical application. The identification of these compounds and their action mode will be object of further studie