Groups Of Animals Research Articles

Persisting plant blindness in conservation efforts

AbstractPlants receive significantly less attention in conservation efforts than other groups. Conservation and funding are often directed towards more charismatic animal groups. Considering that two out of every five plant species face the risk of extinction, the limited expenditure on plant conservation is particularly concerning. An unbiased distribution of funding across conservation priorities is urgently needed.

SEX DIFFERENCES IN SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE IN LOW HYPOXIA-RESISTANT RATS

OBSERVATION. Individual differences in hypoxia tolerance and expression of the hypoxia-inducible factor, HIF-1α, were found in humans and laboratory animals. This allowed us to distinguish groups of animals with low and high resistance to oxygen deficiency. It was shown that low hypoxia-resistant animals are characterized by a more severe course of the systemic inflammatory response (SIR). Sex differences in the severity of SIRS in animals with low hypoxia tolerance have not been studied. OBJECTIVE To characterize morphological and molecular-biological features of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced SIR in low hypoxia-resistant male and female Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Low hypoxia-resistant animals were distinguished by the time of “life” in a hypobaric barocamera at an altitude of 11500 m (less than 60 s). SWO was modeled by intraperitoneal injection of LPS at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg. One day later, morphologic changes in the lungs, liver, and thymus, as well as endotoxin levels, corticosterone, HIF1-α, and TGFβ concentrations in serum from low hypoxia-resistant female and male Wistar rats were evaluated. RESULTS. Differences were found in control groups in females and males of low hypoxia-resistant rats, characterized by higher HIF1-α, corticosterone and endotoxin levels in serum in females. Thus, in females 24 h after LPS injection the number of neutrophils in interalveolar septa of lungs was higher and acute accidental involution of thymus with narrowing of subcapsular zone without changes in volumetric fraction of cortical substance developed. Whereas in males widespread pathological changes in the liver and more pronounced manifestations of accidental involution accompanied by narrowing of the volume fraction of the thymus cortical substance were revealed. In the blood serum of females with SWO, the content of corticosterone increased, while in males the concentration of HIF1-α and the level of endotoxin increased, and the content of TGFβ decreased. CONCLUSIONS. Although female and male rats were characterized by low resistance to hypoxia, the course of LPS-induced SWO and the development of immune reactions in animals have sex differences.

CHANGES IN THE ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF THE CHYME AND METABOLIC PROCESSES IN THE RUMEN WHEN EXOGENOUS ENZYMES ARE USED IN FEEDING BULLS

Introduction. Coordination of the processes of scar digestion and metabolism in ruminants is a prerequisite for achieving high efficiency in the use of feed nutrients, improving product quality and profitability of production. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the inclusion of the exogenous lipase enzyme in the diet of bullocks in feedlots has a positive ef-fect on physiology, fermentation in the rumen, digestibility and the profile of fatty acids in the rumen. Material and methods. In the experiment, 8 animals were used, divided into 2 groups. the bulls of the control group received the basic diet (RR), the experimental group also received RR with the inclusion of the lipase enzyme at a dosage of 25 g / head / day. The level of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the contents of the scar was determined by gas chromatography on a gas chromatograph "Crystallux-4000M", determination of nitrogen forms accord-ing to GOST 26180-84. The elemental composition of biosubstrates was studied using atomic emission and mass spectrometry (NPP-ISP and MS-ISP) in the IC of the Central Research Center of the FNC BST RAS. Results. The study of the ratio of LVH in the scar fluid showed that in the experimental group of animals the content of acetic acids decreased by 18.35%, propionic acid – 15.29%, butyric acid – 34.28%, valerian acid – 11.11%, while caproic acid was not found in the experimental group. Nitrogen metabolism in the body showed that the level of total nitrogen in the scar fluid increased by 64.71%, non–protein 53.66%, protein 66.22%, ammonia 78.57% (p 0.05), respectively. Analysis of the biomass of bacteria and protozoa showed that during the experiment, these indicators were higher in the experimental group of animals by 17.07% and 22.22%, respectively, compared with the control. The trace element composition of the scar fluid revealed differences in the mechanism of action of the lipase enzyme on the metabolism of chemicals. There was an increase in the concentration of chemical elements in the experimental group of bulls Ca – by 11.51%, P –17.72%, K – 20.34% (p≤0.05), Fe – 21.31%, Zn – 10.14%, Cu – 23.53%, Se – 39.13%. Against the background of a decrease in Ni – 11.44%, Ba – 14.67%, B – 9.00%, I – 33.33%, Al – 15.71 and Sr – 15.85% (p 0.05). Conclusion. Thus, the study of microbial communities of the LJ rumen, primarily of cattle, is very relevant due to the possibility of rapid diagnosis and prevention of many pathologies of the digestive system associated with improper feeding, which, as a rule, is accompanied by the development of pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms.

Spatio-temporal hotspots of wildlife-vehicle collisions in Poland: How congruent are mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians?

The PROS database, a large dataset of roadkills collected between 2000 and 2022 in Poland, was used. We calculated the total length for each road type and the main type of environment around the wildlife-car collision event, in a grid of 10 × 10 km (e.g., spatial unit). We explored the spatial congruence in wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVC) among amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals across the country, using spatially explicit correlation based on the Mantel tests. We used a) Generalized Linear Mixed Models to investigate the association between WVC and the type of dominant environment and animal group, and b) Generalized Boosted Regression Models to investigate, separately for each animal group, the association between WVC and the length and type of road in each spatial unit. A total of 19,846 roadkills were recorded in Poland, involving nearly 28,952 individuals from different animal species: 14 amphibians, 8 reptiles, 133 birds and 52 mammals. The spatial distribution of roadkill events in the country was mainly clustered around the biggest cities. Hotspots were concentrated near cities (Warsaw, Kraków, Rrzeszów) and in areas known for high biodiversity. Coldspots - relatively smaller than hotspots - were areas characterized by a high density of housing infrastructure, with lower naturality and a predominance of single roadkill casualties. A higher spatial congruence in WVC was found between birds and mammals (71 %) than between the other animal groups. Overall, the animal group less congruent with the other groups was amphibians (13 %), while birds were most congruent with all groups. We discussed some advantages and drawbacks when working with non-systematic survey datasets of roadkills. Finally, we recommended including roadkill clusters of multiple animal groups (hotspots) in strategies for mitigating wildlife-vehicle collisions but also considering more specific strategies, which can combine the type of environment and roads, concerning each animal group.

Sustained release of nano-encapsulated glimepiride drug with chitosan nanoparticles: A novel approach to control type 2 diabetes in streptozotocin-induced Wistar albino rats.

The objective of the present study was to encapsulate the effective antidiabetic glimepiride (GLM) drug with biodegradable chitosan nanoparticles (CS NPs) in order to reduce the risk of side effects, regulate and improve alternatives to therapy for people with type 2 Diabetes mellitus. The characterizations of the encapsulated EGLM-CS NPs were published in a previous paper. In continuation of the past study, here we report the in vitro and in vivo activities of EGLM-CS NPs in streptozotocin-induced diabetes Wistar albino rats orally treated for 28 days. Based on our results, the in vitro 3 T3-L1 cell lines observed that the highest concentration of 500 μg/mL exhibited 91.48 % cell viability after 24 h of treatment. The in vivo results of the EGLM-CS NPs treated rats group showed gradual control of the blood glucose level at 90 and 120 min compared to other groups because the drug showed a sustained release mechanism. A significant difference was observed in serum lipid profiles between diabetic treated and control rats. It is believed that the CS NPs served as a carrier system for the GLM drug, protected it from degradation, and enhanced its solubility as well as bioavailability. After 28 days of treatment, all the animal groups organs (pancreas, liver, and kidney) were dissected for histopathological analysis. The EGLM-CS NPs treated group displayed regeneration cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas and normal cellular size with hyperplasia. The therapeutic potential was observed by the liver and kidney from rats reveals few tubule necrosis, improved bioavailability as compared to pure GLM drug treated rats. Hence, our formulated NPs are safe, no toxic effect on the vital organs, which will be helpful to improve the lives of diabetic patients and contribute to the overall health of the individuals.

Health effects of a glyphosate-based herbicide on Elliptio complanata: multi-biomarker approach

The active ingredient (a.i.) glyphosate is frequently detected in waterways at relatively high concentrations, posing a risk to aquatic organisms including freshwater mussels, North America's most endangered animal group. This research aims to evaluate for the first time the effect of a glyphosate-based herbicide on a freshwater mussel (Unionid) using a battery of biomarkers. The mussel Elliptio complanata was exposed for 21 days to Credit® Xtreme (at 0, 50, 100, and 150 µg/L a.i. of glyphosate). An integrated biomarker response (IBRv2) was used to visualize the overall impact of each glyphosate-based herbicide concentration on mussels’ health conditions. The biomarker results showed that glyphosate (used at 100 µg/L and 150 µg/L) induced lipid peroxidation in the gills and digestive gland and inhibited acetylcholinesterase in the foot and gills, indicating oxidative damage and neurotoxicity. Other biomarkers were influenced at the lowest concentration of glyphosate tested (50 µg/L): lipids (decrease), triglycerides (increase) and, to a lesser extent, vitellogenin (decrease). For the latter biomarkers, the sexes were not affected similarly, and they were only sensitive at 50 µg/L, only females showed a trend toward a decrease for vitellogenin and a decrease for lipids. Using IBRv2, we found a clear discrimination between concentrations, and the index values increased with glyphosate concentration, attesting to the deterioration in biomarker-defined mussel health when exposed to Credit® Xtreme at realistic glyphosate concentrations in agricultural rivers. This study shows that glyphosate-based herbicides can alter neurological function, induce oxidative damage, and selectively modify the E. complanata metabolism at relatively low concentrations.

Analysis of Earthworm (Lumbricus rubellus) Growth Due to the Addition of Fruit Waste Pulp to Feed

Earthworms are a group of animals that live in soil and have a segmented body, bilaterally symmetrical, and covered by a transparent cuticle, which protects from physical and chemical disturbances. One of the factors that influences the growth of earthworms is the availability of food substances in the media where they live. Research on the analysis of the increase in the number and total weight of earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus) due to the provision of fruit waste in feed has been carried out in 2023. This research aims to analyse the increase in the number and total weight of earthworms due to the application of fruit waste to the media where earthworms live. Research data was analysed using variance analysis. In this study, the results were obtained: (1) fruit waste pulp (papaya and banana) added to feed had a significant effect on increasing the number of earthworms, (2) fruit waste pulp added to the feed can increase the total weight of earthworms, (3) Giving 2 liters of fruit waste to the feed results in a higher number and total weight of earthworms than other levels of fruit waste pulp.

The biochemical effects of kola nitida on the renal biomarkers of lipid induced Wistar albino rats

The aim of the study was to access the biochemical effects of kola nitida extract on renal markers of adult albino rats induced with high lipid diet. This was a prospective longitudinal study carried out in Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State Students. The study was conducted within a period of 6 months (April– September 2024). The study adhered to stringent animal husbandry protocols. Rats were housed individually in standard laboratory cages with controlled environmental conditions (temperature 22±2°C, humidity 50-60%, and a 12-hour light/dark cycle) to minimize environmental variability. They had unrestricted access to standard rodent feed and water throughout the experiment to maintain optimal health and consistent metabolic conditions. The experimental design involved the administration of kola nitida extract via oral gavage at predetermined doses based on body weight, established through preliminary dose-ranging studies to ensure safety and efficacy. Animals were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups, with each group carefully monitored for behavioral changes and physical health indicators throughout the study period. Grouping of animals was done as the animals were divided into 5 groups: Group 1(Negative control), Group 2(Toxicity group), Group 3(100mg/kg), Group 4(200 mg/kg), Group 5(300mg/kg). Blood samples was collected from the marginal ear vein using a 2ml needle and syringe into lithium heparin bottles and was spun at 3500 rpm for 5 minutes to obtain plasma in order to determine the renal biomarkers using creatinine and urea diagnostic kit (Randox test kit), The results of this study clearly demonstrate that the administration of a high lipid diet and subsequent reversal with Kola-Nitida induces significant changes in the urea and creatinine in all the test groups when compared to toxicity group. The strong statistical evidence supports the conclusion that Kola-Nitida may play a role in mitigating the effects of a high lipid diet on the renal biomarkers in Wistar rats.

Kidney physiopathologic changes in diabetic Golden-Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) fed with hypercaloric diet

Diabetic nephropathy is the single major cause of end stage renal failure. The increase of visceral adipose tissue may lead to glomerular hypertrophy and chronic kidney disease. The objective is to determine renal changes in diabetic Golden-Syrian Hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) supplemented with a hypercaloric diet. Methods: One group of animals (n=10) was fed with a standard diet (SD), and the other group (n=10) was fed with a hypercaloric diet (HCD) for 1 month. Afterwards, both groups were treated with three doses of Streptozotocin. Hyperglycemia was determined throughout 73 days. The animal’s weight, blood and kidney tissues were obtained for analysis. Results: Diabetic animals fed with HCD diet manifested hyperglycemia (250-350 mg/dL) with significant weight loss (40g) and important glomerular filtration rate decrement (0.491mL/min). Regarding to renal fibrosis, all animals showed an increase of glomerular, interstitial, and cortical extracellular matrix (36.3, 75.2 and 70.7%, respectively). Diabetic animals that were SD-fed showed only mild hyperglycemia and slight increase of glomerular, interstitial, and cortical extracellular matrix. A group of animals (n=5) that was fed exclusively with HCD was also included in the study. Conclusions: Our finding suggests that HCD fed can accelerate the progression of chronic kidney disease in a diabetic condition.

Mechanical circulatory support reduces renal sympathetic nerve activity in an ovine model of acute myocardial infarction.

The use of circulatory assist devices has been shown to improve glomerular filtration rate and reduce the incidence of acute kidney injury in patients following acute cardiac pathology. However, the mechanisms of improvement in kidney function are not clear. We tested the hypothesis that mechanical circulatory support would result in a decrease in directly recorded renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and mediate the improvement in renal blood flow (RBF) in a setting of acute myocardial infarction (AMI)-induced left ventricular systolic dysfunction. An anaesthetized ovine model was used to induce AMI (n = 8) using injections of microspheres into the left coronary artery in one group. The second group did not undergo embolization (n = 6). The effects of mechanical circulatory support using the Impella CP on directly recorded renal sympathetic nerve activity were examined in these two groups of animals. Injection of microspheres resulted in a drop in mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 21 ± 4mmHg compared to baseline values (p < 0.05; n = 8). This was associated with a 67% increase in renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA; from 16 ± 5 to 21 ± 5 spikes/s; p < 0.05; n = 7). Impella CP support significantly increased MAP by 13 ± 1.5mmHg at pump level 8 (p < 0.05) in the AMI group. Incremental pump support resulted in a significant decrease in RSNA (p < 0.05) in both groups. At pump level P8in the AMI group, RSNA was decreased by 21 ± 5.5% compared to pump level P0 when the pump was not on. Our data indicate that the improvement in kidney function following mechanical circulatory support may be mediated in part by renal sympathoinhibition.

Collective anti-predator escape manoeuvres through optimal attack and avoidance strategies

The collective dynamics of self-organised systems emerge from the decision rules agents use to respond to each other and to external forces. This is evident in groups of animals under attack from predators, where understanding collective escape patterns requires evaluating the risks and rewards associated with particular social rules, prey escape behaviour, and predator attack strategies. Here, we find that the emergence of the ‘fountain effect’, a common collective pattern observed when animal groups evade predators, is the outcome of rules designed to maximise individual survival chances given predator hunting decisions. Using drone-based empirical observations of schooling sardine prey (Sardinops sagax caerulea) attacked by striped marlin (Kajikia audax), we first find the majority of attacks produce fountain effects, with the dynamics of these escapes dependent on the predator’s attack direction. Then, using a spatially-explicit agent-based model of predator-prey dynamics, we show that fountain manoeuvres can emerge from combining an optimal individual prey escape angle with social interactions. The escape rule appears to prioritise maximising the distance to the predator and creates conflict in the effectiveness of predators’ attacks and the prey’s avoidance, explaining the empirically observed predators’ attack strategies and the fountain evasions produced by prey. Overall, we identify the proximate and ultimate explanations for fountain effects and more generally highlight that the collective patterns of self-organised predatory-prey systems can be understood by considering both social escape rules and attack strategies.

Impact of masticatory activity and rehabilitation on astrocyte morphology across the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus: Insights from the outer, medial, and inner sublayers and their relationship with spatial learning and memory

The dentate gyrus plays a crucial role in learning and spatial memory, particularly in its middle third molecular layer, which receives the primary afferent input via the medial perforant path. Interestingly, changes in masticatory activity are described to affect this region with visible astrogliosis, release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress, affecting synaptic physiology, and cognition. This study aimed to investigate the impact of altered masticatory activity on spatial memory in young Swiss albino mice, correlating these effects with morphological changes in astrocytes. The mice were divided into three groups: Hard diet with pellets (HD), hard diet/soft diet (HD/SD, reduced masticatory activity), and HD/SD/HD (rehabilitated). The Morris water maze test was used to measure escape latency, while three-dimensional microscopic reconstruction methods provided morphometric data on the astrocytes. Hierarchical clustering analysis validated the existence of four morphological subtypes with decreasing complexity (AST1, AST2, AST3, and AST4), in the outer, middle, and inner thirds of the dentate gyrus molecular layer. Changes in masticatory activity affected the number and distribution of astrocytes subtypes excepting AST3 in the middle third layer. Canonical discriminant function analysis indicated that complexity was the variable most influencing cluster formation. Correlation tests between complexity and escape latency for each animal group showed a significant correlation with a large effect size of 60 % [Pearson’s R: 0.605, p < 0.001] in the HD group in the middle third, which was disrupted by altered masticatory activity. AST3 morphotype in the middle third showed a linear correlation with learning and spatial memory functions in the HD group [Pearson’s R: 0.624, p < 0.001] that disappeared with a reduction in masticatory activity, and nor restored by diet rehabilitation. This finding was not observed for inner and outer layers, supporting the contribution of middle third AST3 to learning and spatial memory. Group comparison tests also revealed that diet differentially impacts astrocyte subpopulations on each third of the dentate gyrus molecular layer. Data validate the influence of the masticatory activity on astrocyte complexity and suggest the existence of AST3 association with spatial memory and learning tasks in young female mice. Further research on the underlying mechanisms of these relationships is essential to identify potential therapeutic targets for cognitive disorders and to develop effective interventions to preserve cognitive function.

From Egg to Adult: A Developmental Table of the Ant Monomorium pharaonis.

Ants are one of the most ecologically and evolutionarily successful groups of animals and exhibit a remarkable degree of phenotypic diversity. This success is largely attributed to the fact that all ants are eusocial and live in colonies with a reproductive division of labor between morphologically distinct queen and worker castes. Yet, despite over a century of studies on caste determination and evolution in ants, we lack a complete ontogenetic series from egg to adult for any ant species. We, therefore, present a developmental table for the Pharaoh ant Monomorium pharaonis, a species whose colonies simultaneously produce reproductive queens and completely sterile workers. In total, M. pharaonis embryonic, larval, and pupal development lasts 45 days. During embryogenesis, the majority of developmental events are conserved between M. pharaonis and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. We discovered, however, two types of same-stage embryos before gastrulation: (1) embryos with internalized germ cells; and (2) embryos with germ cells outside of the blastoderm at the posterior pole. Moreover, we also found two-types of embryos following germ band extension: (1) embryos with primordial germ cells that will develop into reproductive queens; and (2) embryos with no germ cells that will develop into completely sterile workers. Together, these data show that queen and worker castes are already determined and differentiated by early embryogenesis. During larval development, we confirmed that reproductive and worker larvae proceed through three larval instars. Using anatomical and developmental markers, we can further discern the development of gyne (unmated queen) larvae, male larvae, and worker larvae as early as the 1st instar. Overall, we hope that the ontogenetic series we present here will serve as a blueprint for the generation of future ant developmental tables.

A méh- vagy darázscsípés okozta anafilaxiás sokk vizsgálata a triptáz enzim és a méh-, illetve darázsméreg specifikus immunglobulin E szintek vérből történő meghatározása alapján, egyes rendkívüli haláleseti eljárásokban

Aim: Systemic allergic reactions triggered by bee and wasp venom affect approximately 3% of adults, and in severe cases, can lead to anaphylactic reactions and death. The exact cause of extraordinary deaths resulting from insect stings is often not determined in a significant number of cases. The aim of this study is to provide guidance through methodological recommendations to investigate the precise cause of deaths presumably resulting from insect stings, specifically focusing on uncovering the facts and causes of anaphylaxis. Methodology: The study reviews literature related to anaphylaxis caused by insect stings and animal toxins, as well as its immunological background. It seeks to translate the information found in the literature into the realm of official activities related to extraordinary deaths. The study also summarises knowledge about groups of animals in Hungary that are medically significant due to their venom, providing guidance for on-site recognition, search, documentation, and recording of the most common Hymenoptera species with venom capable of frequently inducing anaphylactic reactions. Findings: The key to diagnosing deaths caused by anaphylaxis lies in crime scene investigation. The attending medical doctor must recognise the symptoms of insect stings and ensure the collection of a blood sample for allergological purposes. A special blood collection kit has been assembled for this purpose. The blood sample, which must be stored at 2–8ºC, should be sent to the Semmelweis University Institute of Laboratory Medicine within 2 days. By measuring the level of tryptase enzyme in the blood sample and detecting the presence of specific immunoglobulin E for the venom of the respective bee or wasp species, the cause of the anaphylactic reaction can be confirmed. The crime scene investigation team should also make an effort to locate and secure the potential insect species responsible for the sting. If the forensic entomologist successfully identifies the species, it facilitates the specific IgE allergological examination for the respective venom. Value: In cases of death resulting from insect stings, the cause is often not determined due to lack of proper caution and appropriate methods. The procedural approach recommended in the study establishes the basis for determining the precise cause of death in cases of suspected insect stings.

Molecular Confirmation of Moraxella Bovis Associated Infectious Keratoconjunctivitis in Ruminants

Background: Infectious keratoconjunctivitis is a significant problem causing a greater level of economic losses in production animals. The affected animals show progressive cloudiness of eye, severe congestion of ocular mucous membrane with inflammation of cornea, ocular discharges vary from serous to purulent and causes temporary or permanent blindness in affected animals. Methods: A total number of 238 conjunctival swabs were collected from the suspected cases (93 sheep, 98 goats and 47 cattle) of different age groups in both symptomatic and asymptomatic animals during the period of 2021-2023 (both winter and summer season in livestock farms of Tamil Nadu, SBRS –Ooty, PGRIS-Katuakkam, Tirvananamalai, Sheep Research Station-Potaneri, Tiruvallur district). The samples were subjected to bacterial isolation and identification. The bacterial organism isolated from the swabs were characterized by cultural, biochemical and molecular tests. Result: The Moraxella species was successfully isolated from 9 animals (N=5 in cattle and N=4 in sheep). In addition to this Staphylococcus and Klebsiella, (N=34), Streptococcus (N=10), Pseudomonas (N=8) and concurrent infection of Tricophyton verrocosum, Aspergillus. The genomic DNA was extracted from positive culture of morexalla and PCR amplification was performed with specific primers. The amplified PCR product were subjected to partial gene sequencing which showed 99% homology with other, Morexalla bovis isolates. Antimicrobial sensitivity test of the isolates revealed that Moraxella was sensitive towards Chloramphenicol (100%), Ciprofloxacin (100%), Gentamicin (100%), Tylosin (100%) and sensitive to Oxytetracycline (80%), Endrofloxacin (80%), Gatifloxacin (80%) and Metronidazole (70%). All tested isolates were resistant to Norfloxacin, Vancomycin, Ampicillin /Sulbactam, Methicillin and Sulphadiazine.

Thymoquinone loaded nanoemulgel in streptozotocin induced diabetic wound.

Aim: To treat diabetic wound healing with a novel Thymoquinone (TQ) loaded nanoformulation by using combination of essentials oils.Methods: TQ nanoemulsion (NE) was developed with seabuckthorn & lavender essential oils by phase inversion method and mixture design. Further, DIAGEL is obtained by incorporating NE into 1% carbopol®934. Furthermore, particle size, polydispersity index, thermodynamic stability studies, rheology, spreadability, drug content, in-vitro drug release, ex-vivo permeation, anti-oxidant assay, antimicrobial studies, angioirritance, HAT-CAM assay, in-vitro and in-vivo studies were determined.Results: NE has a particle size of 17.79±0.61nm, 0.206±0.012 PDI & found to be thermodynamically stable. DIAGEL exhibited pseudoplastic behavior, sustained drug release, better permeation of TQ and a drug content of 98.54±0.08%. DIAGEL stored for 6months at room temperature and 2-8°C showed no degradation. Further, an improved angiogenesis, absence of angio-irritancy, remarkable antioxidant and antimicrobial activities against Candida albicans & S. aureus were observed. Cytotoxicity analysis revealed nearly 2.28 -folds higherIC50 value than drug solution. Furthermore, inflammatory mediators were reduced in DIAGEL treated animal groups. The histopathological studies confirmed skin healing with regeneration and granulation of tissue.Conclusion: The novel formulation has strong anti-inflammatory, angiogenesis, antioxidant and appreciable diabetic wound healing properties.

Interplay of physical and social drivers of movement in male African savanna elephants

Abstract Despite extensive research into the behavioral ecology of free-ranging animal groups, questions remain about how group members integrate information about their physical and social surroundings. This is because a) tracking of multiple group members is limited to a few easily manageable species; and b) the tools to simultaneously quantify physical and social influences on an individual’s movement remain challenging, especially across large geographic scales. A relevant example of a widely ranging species with complex social structure and of conservation concern is the African savanna elephant. We evaluate highly synchronized GPS tracks from five male elephants in Etosha National Park in Namibia by incorporating their dynamic social landscape into an established resource selection model. The fitted model predicts movement patterns based simultaneously on the physical landscape (e.g., repeated visitation of waterholes) and the social landscape (e.g., avoidance of a dominant male). Combining the fitted models for multiple focal individuals produces landscape-dependent social networks that vary over space (e.g., with distance from a waterhole) and time (e.g., as the seasons change). The networks, especially around waterholes, are consistent with dominance patterns determined from previous behavioral studies. Models that combine physical landscape and social effects, based on remote tracking, can augment traditional methods for determining social structure from intensive behavioral observations. More broadly, these models will be essential to effective, in-situ conservation and management of wide-ranging social species in the face of anthropogenic disruptions to their physical surroundings and social connections.

Groupers and moray eels (GME) optimization: a nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithm for solving complex engineering problems

AbstractAs engineering technology advances and the number of complex engineering problems increases, there is a growing need to expand the abundance of swarm intelligence algorithms and enhance their performance. It is crucial to develop, assess, and hybridize new powerful algorithms that can be used to deal with optimization issues in different fields. This paper proposes a novel nature-inspired algorithm, namely the Groupers and Moray Eels (GME) optimization algorithm, for solving various optimization problems. GME mimics the associative hunting between groupers and moray eels. Many species, including chimpanzees and lions, have shown cooperation during hunting. Cooperative hunting among animals of different species, which is called associative hunting, is extremely rare. Groupers and moray eels have complementary hunting approaches. Cooperation is thus mutually beneficial because it increases the likelihood of both species successfully capturing prey. The two predators have complementary hunting methods when they work together, and an associated hunt creates a multi-predator attack that is difficult to evade. This example of hunting differs from that of groups of animals of the same species due to the high level of coordination among the two species. GME consists of four phases: primary search, pair association, encircling or extended search, and attacking and catching. The behavior characteristics are mathematically represented to allow for an adequate balance between GME exploitation and exploration. Experimental results indicate that the GME outperforms competing algorithms in terms of accuracy, execution time, convergence rate, and the ability to locate all or the majority of local or global optima.

Ecological Role of Spiders in Terrestrial Ecosystem and Their Conservation Priorities

Spiders are members of the phylum Arthropoda, the largest phylum of animal groups in the world under the class Arachnida. Spiders are ubiquitous in distribution, invade almost every type of habitat, and are the most abundant invertebrate predators in terrestrial ecosystems. Nearly 47,617species of spiders under 4,092 genera in 114 families were recorded in the world. Spiders are a key component of terrestrial ecosystems, occupying a unique position in food webs. As predators, they are important in the regulation of invertebrate populations, which include pest species, and as prey, they provide food for other invertebrates and birds. They are important components of the food chain. This is not withstanding the contribution they make to ecosystems in their own right.Spider silk has unique properties that have potential applications in medicine and technology. Many species of spiders have been used as medicines. As bee populations plummet, spiders might be the next solution to the pollination process. Spiders are among the most fascinating creatures on earth, and their importance in scientific research cannot be overstated. Spiders play a critical role in maintaining ecological balance, and studying their behavior and biology can greatly advance our understanding of the natural world. The witnessing role of spiders in terrestrial ecosystems has made them ecologically important. In the past few years, spiders have faced several threats that have affected their populations and diversity. Prior conservation programs are required to protect this species from being more vulnerable and endangered.

Humanin-G Ameliorates Hemorrhage-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice Through AMPKα1-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms.

Background/Objectives: The severity of acute lung injury is significantly impacted by age and sex in patients with hemorrhagic shock. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a crucial regulator of energy metabolism but its activity declines with aging. Humanin is a mitochondrial peptide that exerts cytoprotective effects in response to oxidative stressors and is associated with longevity. Using a mouse model of hemorrhagic shock that mimics the clinical condition of adult patients, we investigated whether treatment with a humanin analog, humanin-G, mitigates lung injury and whether its mechanisms of action are dependent on the catalytic AMPKα1 subunit activation. Methods: Male and female AMPKα1 wild-type (WT) and knock-out (KO) mice (8-13 months old) were subjected to hemorrhagic shock by blood withdrawal, followed by resuscitation with shed blood and lactated Ringer's solution. The mice were treated with PEGylated humanin-G or vehicle and euthanized 3 h post-resuscitation. Results: Sex- and genotype-related differences were observed after hemorrhagic shock as lung neutrophil infiltration was more pronounced in the male AMPKα1 WT mice than the female WT mice; also, the male AMPKα1 KO mice experienced a significant decline in mean arterial blood pressure when compared to the male WT mice after resuscitation. The scores of histological lung injury were similarly elevated in all the male and female AMPKα1 WT and KO mice when compared to the control mice. At molecular analysis, acute lung injury was associated with the downregulation of AMPKα1/α2 catalytic subunits in the WT mice, whereas an increased activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) was observed in all the vehicle-treated groups. The in vivo administration of humanin-G ameliorated histological lung damage in all the groups of animals and ameliorated mean arterial blood pressure in the male AMPKα1 KO mice. The in vivo administration of humanin-G lowered lung neutrophil infiltration in the male and female AMPKα1 WT mice only but not in the KO mice. The beneficial results of humanin-G correlated with the lung cytosolic and nuclear activation of AMPKα in the male and female AMPKα1 WT groups, whereas STAT3 activation was not modified. Conclusions: In adult age, hemorrhage-induced acute lung injury manifests with sex-dependent characteristics. Humanin-G has therapeutic potential and the AMPKα1subunit is an important requisite for its inhibitory effects on lung leucosequestration, but not for the amelioration of lung alveolar structure or the hemodynamic effects of the peptide.