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Biology is a study of living objects and their life processes. It examines all aspects of living organisms such as their occurrence, classification, internal and external structure, nutrition, reproduction, inheritance, etc. The term “biology” is commonly replaced by the terms “life sciences” and “biological sciences.” There are dozens of branches of biology. Some of the major ones include:
Biology and Life Sciences
Two species new to science, Xanthoria pedersenii and X. wennergrenii in the Xanthoria calcicola complex (Xanthoria, Xanthorioideae, Teloschistaceae), characterized by a complex of morphological, anatomical and molecular characters, are described, illustrated and compared with closely related taxa.
New Records for the Bryoflora of Vietnam, 6.
Bazzania tranninhiana sp. nov. (Lepidoziaceae)
During our visit to the Tam Đảo National Park in 1998, with the guidance of Prof. Trần Ninh, we collected a peculiar Bazzania species unknown from Vietnam before. This species, with its incurved, fragile leaf apices and deeply dissected underleaves proved to be new to science. This paper provides its illustrated description.
Peltula shalae Kumar S. is described as a new species of lichens from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is characterised by peltate-umbilicate thallus comprising of overlapping squamules forming rosettes, with diameter 2–3.5 cm. The absence of soredia is notable. This lichen is observed to grow on ‘shale rock’, a type of sedimentary rock, and is distinguished from closely related species, including P. daurica, P. sonorensis, P. anthracina, and P. obscurans by its distinct morphological features. Furthermore, a comprehensive comparison with closely related peltate-umbilicate species is presented.
Plasmodium falciparum is primarily transmitted by Anopheles gambiae. Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum is a major public health issue in western Kenya and sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 90% of malaria deaths. The primary methods of malaria prevention are indoor residual spraying and the use of insecticide-treated nets. These tools face challenges such as mosquito resistance to insecticides as well as their toxic effect to the non-target organism, therefore this study aims to explore the application of lichen secondary metabolites as potential oral biological insecticides by assessing mosquito mortality in varying concentrations. Lichen secondary metabolites were extracted from Cladonia foliacea thalli. Bioassay experiments were conducted on A. gambiae Kisumu strain mosquitoes. Mortality rates were measured after ingesting sugar bait and lichen extracts in different concentrations. Three test replicates and negative control were used, with mortality measured after 4, 24, 48, and 72 hours. Analysis using three-way analysis of variance with twoway interactions was performed using R program to determine the effect of different lichen extract concentrations, time of exposures and mosquito sex on mortality. Our results showed that the ingestion of C. foliacea extract at 50 mg/ml and a post-exposure period of 24 to 48 hours had a maximum effect on the mortality rate of targeted male and female A. gambiae. No statistical difference was found between male and female mosquitoes in mortality. Our study confirms firstly that the extract of C. foliacea is a promising oral toxic agent against adult malaria vector A. gambiae.
Moroccan oases host a rich array of date palm varieties, renowned for the traditional expertise in crafting local products from dates. Date juice, a quintessential local product with significant heritage value, is facing a decline in appreciation. This study delves into indigenous knowledge surrounding date juice processing. Surveys involving one hundred women from the Alnif and Tata oases in Morocco’s pre-Saharan regions were conducted. Results reveal the use of 56 medicinal and aromatic plants from 33 families and 53 genera in date juice preparation, with Lamiaceae and Asteraceae families most prevalent. Noteworthy species include Corrigiola telephiifolia Pourr. (85 citations), Cynara humilis L. (66), Cyperus longus L. (65), and Alpinia officinarum Hance (64). Date juice holds significance in traditional medicine, prized for its sensory qualities and therapeutic benefits resulting from blending date fruit with aromatic and medicinal plants. The study sheds light on traditional manufacturing processes, including palm variety selection and plant choices. It also offers insights into therapeutic applications aligning with medicinal practices. These findings enrich understanding of cultural traditions and provide essential information for their preservation and propagation.
Ecological restoration requires large-scale reintroductions of plants, but their genetic basis is a controversial issue. Formerly, non-local seed sourcing of naturally occurring herbaceous species was common practice. Here we test whether the genetic pattern of the earlier introduction of non-local seeds of Leucanthemum vulgare agg. (ox-eye daisy) can still be detected several years after the application and whether it differs from that of the regional gene pool. We collected leaf material of the ox-eye daisy in Central Germany on sites of indigenous populations (I) and those formerly restored with non-local seed sources (R). Genome sizes and population genetic pattern (AFLP) were analysed. Genome size estimates of most of the individuals studied suggest, that most ox-eye daisies in the region have similar genome sizes regardless of their origin, while individuals from two indigenous populations from the most northwestern part of the study area had lower 1C values. All populations were genetically diverse and the former use of non-local geno-types of the species could not be detected up to more than 8 years after the establishment of the populations. The results shows that a recommendation for restoration purposes is unequivocal, it can only be concluded that it will be best to use seeds that are local and/or similar to the sites intended for sowing.
The new species Verrucaria aptrootii sp. nov. is described from Darel Valley, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. A comparative morpho-anatomical, chemical study and ITS-based molecular analyses confirmed the position of this new species within the genus Verrucaria. Verrucaria aptrootii sp. nov. is closely related to V. squamulosa and characterized by a not squamulose thallus, plane to concave areoles, excipulum of 25–40 µm, simple, branched periphyses, ascospores of 27–35 × 10–15 µm and calcareous rock substrate.
Abstract
Introduction
This study was conducted to determine the specific features of the mutual influence of the immune and haemostatic systems in immunohaemostasis, the role of immune reactions in the regulation of blood coagulation, and the efficacy of modern methods of treating thrombosis and bleeding.
Methods
The study analysed relevant scientific sources on immunology and haematology and identified the specific features of the blood clotting process and the role of immune reactions in it.
Results
The study found that the immune system influences the haematological system through the interaction of blood clotting factors, platelets, plasminogen, endothelial cells with immune cells. The haemostatic system influences the immune system through mechanisms to maintain immune tolerance and immune memory and the properties of clotting factors to activate the stimulation and migration of immune cells to the site of infection. Immune reactions regulate blood coagulation by activating platelets, regulating blood coagulation factors, affecting fibrinolysis, and immune tolerance. The process of platelet activation involves immune cells, immune complexes, and microbial components. The regulation of blood coagulation factors is influenced by the ability of immune cells to produce activators and inhibitors of these factors and to stimulate or slow down fibrinolysis. The immune system's maintenance of immune tolerance to blood components is regulated by mechanisms of immune response suppression, partial immune ignoring of certain blood elements, inhibition of activation of certain immune cells, apoptosis, and selection of immature T-lymphocytes. Treatment methods for patients at risk of thrombosis and bleeding include anticoagulation, antiplatelet, dual antiplatelet therapy, thrombectomy, endovascular methods, medical prophylaxis of bleeding, and coagulation monitoring.
Conclusions
The findings of this study suggest the significance of immune responses in the regulation of blood coagulation processes, and therefore they can be used in the development of immunotherapy methods for the treatment of thrombosis and bleeding.
