Browse Our Biology and Life Sciences Journals
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
Abstract
Four new Rotundabaloghia (Circobaloghia) species are described from South America and South-East Asia based on the collection of the Natural History Museum, London, UK. Rotundabaloghia (Circobaloghia) salebrosa sp. nov. was collected in Malaysia, Rotundabaloghia (Circobaloghia) bakerae sp. nov. was found in Sarawak (Malaysia), Rotundabaloghia (Circobaloghia) microseta sp. nov. is described from Guyana and Rotundabaloghia (Circobaloghia) peritremata sp. nov. was reported from Borneo (Indonesia).
Abstract
Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) autoantibody syndrome is an emerging clinical entity that has been associated with disseminated non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection (dNTM) particularly in healthy young people, a population not previously thought to be at particular risk. A 29-year-old South-East Asian man presented with several weeks of fever, cough, lymphadenopathy, and constitutional symptoms while working on an international cargo ship, deteriorating rapidly with a sepsis-like syndrome. Eventually lymph node and sputum cultures revealed a diagnosis of dNTM infection with growth of both Mycobacterium persicum and Mycobacterium abscessus. He was commenced on rituximab as well as combination anti-mycobacterial therapy with good clinical response. This case highlights some of the difficulties faced by patients with dNTM in the context of IFN-γ autoantibodies, particularly delayed diagnosis, and lack of evidence base surrounding optimal management. Further research into long-term outcomes and treatment is required as well as increased awareness among clinicians.
Abstract
This work aimed to investigate interactions between antibody-opsonized SARS-CoV-2 and monocytes enriched from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to determine whether antibody dependent enhancement might contribute to the pathophysiology of COVID-19. Pre-incubation of SARS-CoV-2 with sera from hospitalized COVID-19 patients led to significantly increased virus uptake and viral replication in monocytes. Remarkably, SARS-CoV-2 pre-incubated with sera from patients with severe COVID-19 but not those with mild disease or post vaccination strongly increased IL-6 secretion by monocytes. Antibody dependent viral uptake was partially inhibited by monoclonal anti-FcγRIIa antibody whereas IL-6 secretion was completely abolished. FcγRIIa preferentially binds IgG2, and sera from patients with severe COVID-19 contained lower IgG2 levels as compared to mild COVID-19 cases whereas IgG1 levels were increased. These data suggests that FcγRIIa-mediated binding of antibody-opsonized SARS-CoV-2 critically impacts monocytic inflammatory cytokine release and COVID-19 pathophysiology.
Abstract
Pochazia shantungensis (Chou & Lu, 1977), an alien species of Asian origin is reported from Hungary as well as from the Carpathian Basin for the first time as the first representative of the family Ricaniidae. The current distribution of the species is provided. The species may pose a potentially serious phytosanitary risk in the countries where it had been established. The Hungarian status of the species is dubious; however, it can possibly become established in the Hungarian fauna.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Abstract
Using efficient and safe preservation technologies to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables is always an important research topic. Among numerous preservation technologies, ultrasound is one of the most available and pollution-free methods that improve the storage quality of fruits and vegetables. The paper summarises the application of ultrasound and its combined treatment in fruit and vegetable storage in recent years, including the cleaning effect, passivation of enzymes, sterilisation, and the impact on quality indicators. In addition, the limitations of ultrasound technology in fruit and vegetable preservation are also detailed. Only under the appropriate conditions can ultrasound treatment extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. However, ultrasound combined with other technologies usually can get better preservation effects, providing a broader application prospect for ultrasound technology.
