Suchergebnisse

The bioecology of phlebotomine sand flies is intimately linked to the utilization of environmental resources including plant feeding. However, plant feeding behavior of sand flies remains largely understudied for Afrotropical species. Here, using a combination of biochemical, molecular, and chemical approaches, we decipher specific plant-feeding associations in field-collected sand flies from a dry ecology endemic for leishmaniasis in Kenya. Cold-anthrone test indicative of recent plant feeding showed that fructose positivity rates were similar in both sand fly sexes and between those sampled indoors and outdoors. Analysis of derived sequences of the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase large subunit gene (rbcL) from fructose-positive specimens implicated mainly Acacia plants in the family Fabaceae (73%) as those readily foraged on by both sexes of Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia. Chemical analysis by high performance liquid chromatography detected fructose as the most common sugar in sand flies and leaves of selected plant species in the Fabaceae family. Analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) of the headspace volatile profiles of selected Fabaceae plants identified benzyl alcohol, (Z)-linalool oxide, (E)-β-ocimene, p-cymene, p-cresol, and m-cresol, as discriminating compounds between the plant volatiles. These results indicate selective sand fly plant feeding and suggest that the discriminating volatile organic compounds could be exploited in attractive toxic sugar- and odor- bait technologies control strategies. ; German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) In-Region Postgraduate Scholarship; Combatting Arthropod Pests for better Health, Food and Climate Resilience funded by Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad); UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO); Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida); Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC); Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Kenya. ...

18 p.-8 fig. ; The defense response of the plants against herbivores relies on a complex network of interconnected signaling pathways. In this work, we characterized a new key player in the response of Arabidopsis against the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae, the MATI (Mite Attack Triggered Immunity) gene. This gene was differentially induced in resistant Bla-2 strain relative to susceptible Kon Arabidopsis accessions after mite attack, suggesting a potential role in the control of spider mites. To study the MATI gene function, it has been performed a deep molecular characterization of the gene combined with feeding bioassays using modified Arabidopsis lines and phytophagous arthropods. The MATI gene belongs to a new gene family that had not been previously characterized. Biotic assays showed that it confers a high tolerance not only to T. urticae, but also to the chewing lepidopteran Spodoptera exigua. Biochemical analyses suggest that MATI encodes a protein involved in the accumulation of reducing agents upon herbivore attack to control plant redox homeostasis avoiding oxidative damage and cell death. Besides, molecular analyses demonstrated that MATI is involved in the modulation of different hormonal signaling pathways, affecting the expression of genes involved in biosynthesis and signaling of the jasmonic acid and salicylic acid hormones. The fact that MATI is also involved in defense through the modulation of the levels of photosynthetic pigments highlights the potential of MATI proteins to be exploited as biotechnological tools for pest control. ; This work was supported by projects from Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of Spain (projects BIO2014-53508- R and 618105-FACCE-Era Net Plus) and the Government of Canada through Genome Canada and the Ontario Genomics Institute (OGI–046), the Ontario Research Fund (RE08-067) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. ; Peer reviewed

Bereits in archaischer Zeit war der direkte Zusammenhang zwischen Kriegen und dem epidemischen Auftreten von Infektionserkrankungen bekannt und gefürchtet (SMALLMAN-RAYNOR & CLIFF, 2004). Mehr als 100.000 Todesfälle wurden während des Peloponnesischen Krieges 430-426 v.Chr. einer Infektionserkrankung zugeschrieben, bei der es sich höchstwahrscheinlich um das Läusefleckfieber handelte (RETIEF & CILLIERS, 1998). Bewaffnete Konflikte und Kriege führen früher wie heute zu Veränderungen der allgemeinen hygienischen, bevölkerungspolitischen und -dynamischen Situation, einhergehend mit Umwelt- und Verhaltensveränderungen, die erst die Grundlage für das Ausbrechen von Seuchen bieten. Insbesondere bedingt durch gastrointestinale, respiratorische und vektorenübertragene Infektionskrankheiten können die Mortalitätsraten vor allem bei Flüchtlingspopulationen bis um das 60-fache über dem Normalniveau liegen (TOOLE & WALDMANN, 1997). Vektorassoziierte Infektionserkrankungen (VI) wie Läusefleckfieber, Pest, Malaria, Schlafkrankheit und Viszerale Leishmaniose können, je nach Region und endemischem Vorkommen, einen beträchtlichen Anteil an dieser Mortalitätsrate haben und fokal zur Entvölkerung führen (FAULDE, 2001). Von 52 retrospektiv analysierten Kriegen im Zeitraum von ca. 480 v.Chr. bis 2002 wurden in 26 Fällen Leitausbrüche mit VIs festgestellt, davon in 11 Kriegen durch das Läusefleckfieber und in 10 Kriegen durch die Pest (RETIEF & CILLIERS, 1998). Aktuelle Untersuchungen weisen darauf hin, dass in Afrika bis zu einem Drittel der Todesfälle an Malaria bewaffneten Konflikten und Naturkatastrophen zugeschrieben werden kann (ANONYMUS, 2000a). VIs sind seit jeher von Kriegsparteien bewusst oder unbewusst verbreitet worden. Beschrieben wurde das Katapultieren von Pesttoten über die Stadtmauern von Kaffa durch die tartarischen Streitkräfte im Jahr 1346 (MICHELS, 2000) sowie die Initiierung der seit 1983 andauernden, verheerenden Kala Azar-Epidemien mit mehr als 100.000 Todesopfern im Südsudan durch infizierte Truppen aus Endemiegebieten an der sudanesisch-äthiopischen Grenze (NEOUIMINE, 1996). Makabre Bedeutung erlangten biowaffenfähige VIs und Zoonosen wie Anthrax, Pest, Tularämie und Q-Fieber in jüngster Vergangenheit vor allem dadurch, dass sie sich auch für bioterroristische Anschläge eignen können (MICHELS, 2000). Im militärischen Bereich ist die hohe Bedeutung von Infektionserkrankungen im Verlauf von Kriegen und Einsätzen bekannt und findet nach den Erfahrungen während des Zweiten Weltkrieges allgemein Berücksichtigung. Demnach waren im Jahr 1982 von den als militärisch relevant definierten 83 verschiedenen Infektionserkrankungen 53 (ca. 2/3 !) VIs bzw. Zoonosen (FAULDE, 1996). Gerade Auslandseinsätze erhöhen die Gefährdung für Soldaten trotz implementierter präventivmedizinischer Maßnahmen erheblich, an einer VI zu erkranken. Dementsprechend sind in vielen Streitkräften medizinische Entomologen beschäftigt, die primär für die wissenschaftliche Risikoevaluierungen vor Ort, einschließlich der Analyse des Transmissionsmodus sowie der Einleitung und gegebenenfalls auch Durchführung von Vektoren- und Nagetierbekämpfungsmaßnahmen zuständig sind (FAULDE et al., 1994). Erst die bitteren Erfahrungen der letzten Jahre haben bei vielen zivilen Hilfsorganisationen zu nachhaltigen Umdenkprozessen hinsichtlich der VIs geführt. Medizinisch entomologische Ausbildung des Fachpersonals, Risikobewertungen vor den Einsätzen, vektorepidemiologische Erkundung des Einsatzraumes, Vektorenüberwachung, -bekämpfung und -schutz sind insbesondere seit dem Oxfam-Kongress im Dezember 1995 als essentieller Bestandteil medizinischer Unterstützungsleistungen im Nachgang zum internationalen Hilfseinsatz für Ruanda 1994 anerkannt worden (THOMSON, 1995). Ziel der Arbeit ist daher, die ungebrochene Bedeutung der VIs für die betroffene Bevölkerung sowie für zivile Hilfsorganisationen und militärische Stabilisierungs- und Wiederaufbaukräfte an aktuellen Beispielen vorzustellen. ; Throughout history, the deadly comrades of war and disease have accounted for a major proportion of human suffering and death. During conflict, human populations are often suddenly displaced, associated with crude mortality rates over 60-times higher than baseline rates. Promoting factors like mass movement of populations, overcrowding, no access to clean water, poor sanitation, lack of shelter, and poor nutritional status directly result in rapid increase of infectious diseases, especially measles, respiratory tract infections as well as diarrhoeal and vector-borne diseases. In 26 out of 52 retrospectively analysed wars from 480 B.C. to 2002 A.D., vector-borne diseases like plague, louse-borne typhus, malaria, yellow fever, relapsing fever, scrub typhus, and visceral leishmaniasis prevailed, or essentially contributed to, overall mortality. During the last decades, devastating war-related outbreaks of malaria, louse-borne typhus, trench fever, African sleeping sickness, visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis and dengue fever have been reported. According to the humanitarian imperative to protect, or to re-establish, the health of the affected population, essential medical entomological expertise has been involved increasingly in complex emergencies in order to analyse transmission modes as well as the epidemiological impact. Adequate countermeasures, such as personal protection against arthropod vectors and vector control efforts have to be initiated and implemented subsequently, aiming at rapid and efficient interruption of transmission cycles. Recent experiences made during emergency situations reveal that more medical entomological expertise and involvement is necessary world-wide to successfully react on future disease threats.

In the Azores, as in many other temperate, semi-tropical and tropical islands, historical patterns of habitat loss have typically resulted in lowland clearance, meaning that the last remnants of the pre-human pristine forest that covered the major parts of oceanic islands are in the mountain areas (Gaspar et al. 2011). The communities of these mountain forests are of critical importance for the protection of current island biodiversity since they are home to many Azorean endemic species (Borges et al. 2017, Borges et al. 2018, Malumbres-Olarte et al. 2019) and provide a variety of ecosystem services (e.g. water storage, erosion control, pollination, pest-control, food supply, recreation and tourism), contributing to the local economy and welfare (Fernandez-Palacios et al. 2017). The recent increase in recreational tourist activities in native habitats of the Azores (SREA 2018) raises concerns about the use of trails being a threat to the already imperilled native forest biodiversity. Hiking trails in particular have been found to be promoting the spread of invasive plants (Barros and Pickering 2014), which may cause adverse cascading effects on arthropods. The spider communities of the Azores are exceptionally well known due to ongoing inventorying and monitoring projects carried out since 1999 (Borges et al. 2016, Emerson et al. 2017, Malumbres-Olarte et al. 2019). The protocol used in NETBIOME ISLANDBIODIV and in this project is part of a long term monitoring proposal for oceanic islands (Borges et al. 2018). ; This research was supported by a Ph.D. scholarship from the Azores Governmentto to Rui Carvalho (DRCT M3.1.a/F/135/2015). Data was obtained mostly during the Rui Carvalho DRCT scholarship, but some samples are from a previous project (ERA-Net NetBiome research framework, financed through Portuguese FCT-NETBIOME ISLANDBIODIV grant 0003/2011). Open access was funded by FEDER in 85% and by Azorean Public funds by 15% through Operational Programme Azores 2020, under the project AZORESBIOPORTAL –PORBIOTA (ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000072). ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Introduction -- Chapter 1. GMOs, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Processes Part I: GM CROPS AND THEIR IMPACTS -- Chapter 2. Impact of GM crops on farmland biodiversity -- Chapter 3. GM crops: Resistance development and impact on biodiversity -- Chapter 4. Impact of Genetically Modified Crops on the Biodiversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi -- Chapter 5. GMOs – Impact on Non-Target Arthropods -- Chapter 6. Impacts of Genetically Engineered Crops on the Soil Microbiome, Biological Processes and Ecosystem Services -- Chapter 7. Environmental analytical and ecotoxicological aspects of Bt maize in the Pannonian Biogeographical Region of the European Union. Part II: GM INSECTS -- Chapter 8. GM Insect biodiversity and ecological interactions -- Chapter 9. Invasive Species Control and Resolution of Wildlife Damage Conflicts: a Framework for Chemical and Genetically-based Management Methods -- Chapter 10. Risk assessment of transgenic silkworms -- Part III: GM VERTEBRATES -- Chapter 11. Genetically Engineered Fish: potential impacts on aquaculture, biodiversity, and the environment -- Chapter 12. GM Farm Animals: Potential Impact on Biodiversity Including Ethical Concerns -- Chapter 13. GM Animals: Biodiversity and Bioethical Concerns and Analysis -- Part IV: RISK ASSESSMENT -- Chapter 14. Hypothesis-led ecological risk assessment of GM crops to support decision-making about product use -- Chapter 15. Risk assessment of insect-resistant genetically modified crops on non-target arthropods and benefits to associated biodiversity of agro-ecosystems -- Chapter 16. Ecological Risk Assessment for soil invertebrate biodiversity and ecosystem services -- Part V: GENE DRIVE APPROACHES -- Chapter 17. Engineered Gene Drives: Ecological, environmental, and societal concerns -- Chapter 18. Engineered Gene Drives and their Value in the Control of Vector Borne Diseases, Weeds, Pests and Invasive Species -- Chapter 19. Evaluating Gene Drive Approaches for Public Benefit -- Part VI: GOVERNANCE AND REGULATION -- Chapter 20. Governance of Emerging Technologies/Applications in the Bio/Life Sciences: Genome Editing and Synthetic Biology -- Part VII: ANNEX A -- National legal perspectives. Africa. Chapter 21. Botswana - Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and Synthetic biology: Their potential applications and the legal perspectives -- Chapter 22. Democratic Republic of the Congo - GMOs/synthetic biology rules/regulations and biodiversity: A legal perspective -- Chapter 23. Kenya - A Review of Regulation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) - Case Study of Kenya. Chapter 24. South Africa - Synthetic Biology Regulatory Considerations and Biodiversity: A Legal Perspective for South Africa -- Chapter 25. Tunisia - The Use of Modern Biotechnology in Tunisia: Regulatory Framework -- Chapter 26. Zimbabwe - The status of Biosafety in Zimbabwe: A legal perspective. Americas -- Chapter 27. Argentina - Regulatory Framework for Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) -- Chapter 28. Colombia - GMOs/innovative biotechnology regulations -- Chapter 29. Ecuador - Modern biotechnology in Ecuador: development and legal framework -- Chapter 30. Honduras - GMOs/synthetic biology rules/regulations and biodiversity: A legal perspective from Honduras -- Chapter 31. Venezuela - GMOs/regulations and biodiversity: A legal perspective in Venezuela -- Asia -- Chapter 32. India - GMOs/Synthetic Biology rules/regulations and biodiversity: A legal perspective from India -- Chapter 33. Malaysia - Genetic modifications and synthetic biology regulations and biodiversity: A legal perspective for Malaysia -- Chapter 34. Pakistan - Synthetic Biology: challenges and opportunities from a biodiversity perspective in Pakistan -- Chapter 35. Thailand - GMOs and synthetic biology regulations: Thailand perspective -- Australasia -- Chapter 36. Australia - Biodiversity Considerations as Part of the Regulation of GMOs, Including Synthetic Organisms -- Chapter 37. New Zealand - GMO Rules and Regulations in New Zealand -- Europe -- Chapter 38. Czech Republic - GMO Regulations and Biodiversity: A Legal Perspective -- Chapter 39. Hungary - Hungary's GMO-free policy and its legal background -- Chapter 40. Italy - GMOs and synthetic biology rules/regulations and biodiversity: the legal perspective of Italy -- Chapter 41. Norway - The Norwegian Gene Technology Act: Protection of Biodiversity -- Chapter 42. Slovenia - GMOs and synthetic biology regulations and biodiversity: A Slovenian legal perspective.

This book addresses the behavioural adaptations of parasites across a broad range of taxa, including parasitoid wasps, entomopathogenic nematodes, seed-feeding insects and plant-parasitic nematodes. The chapters emphasize the fundamental principles of parasitism and address the diversity and sophistication of parasite behavioural adaptations. The chapters are arranged in 4 sections discussing foraging for hosts, host infection, interactions among parasites within hosts and parasite-host interactions.

1. Integration of Conservation and Utilization in Temperate Hardwood Species -- 2. The Conservation of Genetic and Chemical Diversity in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants -- 3. Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in Wild Relatives of Crop Species -- 4. Perspectives on Human Genome Diversity within Pakistan using Y Chromosomal and Autosomal Microsatellite Markers -- 5. Lessons from Nature Show the Way to Safe and Environmentally Pacific Pest Control -- 6. Biodiversity of Soil Fauna in Different Ecosystems in Egypt with Particular References to Insect Predators -- 7. Optimization of Natural Procedures Leads: Discovery of MylotargTM, CCI-779 and GAR-936 -- 8. Bioactive Compounds from Some Endangered Plants of Africa -- 9. New Bioactive Substances Reported from the African Flora -- 10. Bioactive Components of a Peruvian Herbal Medicine, Chucuhuasi (Maytenus amazonica) -- 11. Discovery of Natural Products from Indonesian Tropical Rainforest Plants: Chemodiversity of Artocarpus (Moraceae) -- 12. Seminal Findings on a Novel Enzyme: Mechanism of Biochemical Action of 4-Methylcoumarins, Constituents of Medicinal and Edible Plants -- 13. Medicinal Plants—A Source of Potential Chemicals of Diverse Structures and Biological Activity -- 14. Biodiversity in Turkish Folk Medicine -- 15. Biodiversity of Phenylethanoids Glycosides -- 16. The Chemo- and Biodiversity of Endophytes -- 17. Molecular Diversity and Specificity of Arthropod Toxins -- 18. Chemical Diversity of Coral Reef Organisms -- 19. Chemical Signals from Sponges and their Allelopathic Effects on Other Marine Animals -- 20. Anti-Cancer Metabolites from Marine Sponges -- 21. Altitudinal and Latitudinal Diversity on the Flora on Eastern and Western Sides of the Red Sea -- 22. Biodiversity and Free Market Mechanism -- 23. Domestication and Determination of Yield and Quality Aspects of Wild Mentha Species Growing in Southern Turkey -- 24. Some Ornamental Geophytes from the East Anatolia -- 25. Bioactive Molecules from Cynodon dactylon of Indian Biodiversity -- 26. Phenylethanoid Glycosides with Free Radical Scavenging Properties from Verbascum wiedemannianum -- 27. Antioxidant Activity of Capsicum annuum L. Fruit Extracts on Acetaminophen Toxicity -- 28. In Vitro Antileishmanial Activity of Proanthocyanidins and Related Compounds -- 29. Evaluation of the Antileishmanial Activity of Two New Diterpenoids and Extracts from Salvia cilicica -- 30. Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Sedum sartorianum subsp. sartorianum -- 31. Blood Pressure Lowering Activity of Active Principle from Ocimum basilicum -- 32. Chemical Variability in Azadirachta indica Growing in Tamil Nadu State of India -- 33. Pesticidal Activity of Eucalyptus Leaf Extracts againstHelicoverpa armigeraLarvae -- 34. Two New Lignans from Taxus baccata L. -- 35. Lignans from Taxus baccata L. -- 36. Heraclenol and Isopimpinellin: Two Rare Furocoumarins from Ruta montana -- 37. A Chemotaxonomic Study on the Genus Ferulago Sect. Humiles (Umbelliferae) -- 38. Aromatic Biodiversity among Three Endemic Thymus Species of Iran -- 39. Volatile Constituents of the Leaves of Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd. from Iran -- 40. Fatty Acid Composition of the Aerial Parts of Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle) L. (Urticaceae) -- 41. Fatty Acid Composition of Aconitum orientale Miller and A. nasutum Fisch. ex Reichb Seeds, A Chemotaxonomic Approach -- 42. New Peptide from a Bacterium Associated with Marine Sponge Ircinia muscarum -- 43. Sheep Brain Glutathione Reductase: Purification and Some Properties -- 44. Some Morphological and Phenological Characters of Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) Grown in Hatay Province of Turkey -- 45. Genetic Diversity of Two Native Forest Tree Species in Turkey: Pinus brutia Ten. and Cupressus sempervirens L. -- 46. The Vegetation Studies in the Pure Stands of Kürtün (Gümü?hane) Forests in Turkey -- 47. 7th Year IPM Implementation: The Biodiversity of Pests and their Beneficial Species in the Protected Vegetable in the Aegean Region of Turkey -- 48. Phytopreparations from the Species of Limonium Mill -- 49. The Biological Activities of New Heterocyclic Compounds Containing Nitrogen and Sulphur -- 50. Synthetic Modification of Iridoids to Non-natural Indole Alkaloids -- 51. The Complexation of New 1,3-Dithiocalix[4]arene Containing Oxime Derivative -- 52. Convenient Route to Quinoline-Tetrahydroquinolines from Quinoline-Carboxaldehydes -- 53. Quantum Chemical Research of Quercetin, Myricetin, their Bromo- and Sulpho Derivatives -- 54. Destruction and Conservation of Turkish Orchids -- Annex -- Author Index.

This book contains 20 chapters covering a range of infectious diseases, as well as a few non-infectious diseases such as cancer, and how they greatly affected the course of human history. It explores host-pathogen relationship, transmission routes, evolution, and global spread of infectious diseases including numerous viral, bacterial, protozoal, and helminth infections. It also covers the contribution of pets (dogs and cats), food, hygiene, and climate change in the spread of infectious diseases. This book is a valuable resource for students, practitioners and researchers working in global health and anyone interested in the understanding of the basis of disease.