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Crude drug Angelicae acutilobae radix is one of the most important crude drugs in Japanese traditional medicine and is used mainly for the treatment of gynecological disorders. In the listing in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia XVIII, Angelicae acutilobae radix is defined as the root of Angelica acutiloba (Apiaceae), which has long been produced on an industrial scale in Japan. With the aging of farmers and depopulation of production areas, the domestic supply has recently declined and the majority of the supply is now imported from China. Due to having only slightly different morphological and chemical characteristics for the Apiaceae roots used to produce dried roots for Chinese medicines, the plant species originating the crude drug Apiaceae roots may be incorrectly identified. In particular, Angelicae sinensis radix, which is widely used in China, and Angelicae acutilobae radix are difficult to accurately identify by morphology and chemical profiles. Thus, in order to differentiate among Angelicae acutilobae radix and other radixes originated from Chinese medicinal Apiaceae plants, we established DNA markers. Using DNA sequences for the chloroplast psb A– trn H intergenic spacer and nuclear internal transcribed spacer regions, Angelicae acutilobae radix and other Chinese Apiaceae roots, including Angelicae sinensis radix , can be definitively identified.

Staphylococcus aureus causes a foodborne intoxication due to the production of enterotoxins and shows antimicrobial resistance, as in the case of methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA). Herein, we analyzed 207 ready-to-eat foods collected in Algeria, reporting a S. aureus prevalence of 23.2% (48/207) and respective loads of coagulase positive staphylococci (CPS) ranging from 1.00 ± 0.5 to 5.11 ± 0.24 Log CFU/g. The 48 S. aureus isolates were widely characterized by staphylococcal enterotoxin gene (SEg)-typing and 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region (ISR)-PCR, as well as by detecting tst and mecA genes, genetic determinants of toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 and methicillin resistance, respectively. We found that the S. aureus isolates belonged to seven different SEg-types harboring the following combinations of genes: (1) selW, selX; (2) egc (seG, seI, seM, seN, seO), selW, selX; (3) seA, seH, seK, seQ, selW, selX; (4) seB, selW, selX; (5) seD, selJ, seR, selW, selX; (6) seH, selW, selX, selY; and (7) seA, egc, selW, selX, while among these, 2.1% and 4.2% were tst- and mecA- (staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec-type IV) positive, respectively. Selected strains belonging to the 12 detected ISR-types were resistant towards antimicrobials including benzylpenicillin, ofloxacin, erythromycin, lincomycin, tetracyclin, kanamycin, oxacillin, and cefoxitin; 8.3% (1/12) were confirmed as MRSA and 16.7% (2/12) were multidrug resistant. The present study shows the heterogeneity of the S. aureus population in Algerian ready-to-eat foods as for their toxigenic potential and antimicrobial resistance, shedding the light on the quality and safety related to the consume of ready-to-eat foods in Algeria.

Senna species in Southwest Nigeria possess significant medicinal and economic potential yet remain underutilized. This study aimed to employ DNA barcoding to characterize twenty Senna accessions and assess their genetic variation. Seeds from twenty accessions comprising six species (S. hirsuta, S. obtusifolia, S. alata, S. siamea, S. acutifolia, and S. occidentalis) were collected from Southwest Nigerian states. Fresh leaf samples underwent DNA extraction, PCR amplification of the psbA-trnH intergenic spacer region, and Sanger sequencing. Molecular analyses using Bioedit, MEGA 11, and NCBI BLAST yielded high-quality DNA sequences (312-414 bp). BLAST searches confirmed species identities with exceptional accuracy. Multiple alignments revealed inter-specific variations and genus-specific conserved regions. Genetic distance analysis showed moderate diversity (0.000-0.074) between species. Base composition analysis revealed characteristic A-T rich patterns: thymine showed highest variance, followed by adenine, while cytosine and guanine exhibited lower variation. Conserved sequences provided molecular evidence of monophyletic relationships within Senna, while base composition variations reflected evolutionary divergence and environmental adaptation. These findings establish a molecular framework for the identification and conservation of Nigerian Senna species, supporting their development for medicinal and agricultural applications.

Lactococcus garvieae is the etiological agent of lactococcosis, a clinically and economically significant infectious disease affecting farmed rainbow trout. L. garvieae had been considered the only cause of lactococcosis for a long time; however, L. petauri, another species of the genus Lactococcus, has lately been linked to the same disease. The genomes and biochemical profiles of L. petauri and L. garvieae have a high degree of similarity. Traditional diagnostic tests currently available cannot distinguish between these two species. The aim of this study was to use the transcribed spacer (ITS) region between 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA as a potential useful molecular target to differentiate L. garvieae from L. petauri, saving time and money compared to genomics methods currently used as diagnostic tools for accurate discrimination between these two species. The ITS region of 82 strains was amplified and sequenced. The amplified fragments varied in size from 500 to 550 bp. Based on the sequence, seven SNPs were identified that separate L. garvieae from L. petauri. The 16S-23S rRNA ITS region has enough resolution to distinguish between closely related L. garvieae and L. petauri and it can be used as a diagnostic marker to quickly identify the pathogens in a lactococcosis outbreak.

Background Satellite repeats are one of the most rapidly evolving components in eukaryotic genomes and play vital roles in genome regulation, genome evolution, and speciation. As a consequence, the composition, abundance and chromosome distribution of satellite repeats often exhibit variability across various species, genome, and even individual chromosomes. However, we know little about the satellite repeat evolution in allopolyploid genomes. Results In this study, we investigated the satellite repeat signature in five okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus ) accessions using genomic and cytogenetic methods. In each of the five accessions, we identified eight satellite repeats, which exhibited a significant level of intraspecific conservation. Through fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) experiments, we observed that the satellite repeats generated multiple signals and exhibited variations in copy number across chromosomes. Intriguingly, we found that five satellite repeats were interspersed with centromeric retrotransposons, signifying their involvement in centromeric satellite repeat identity. We confirmed subgenome-biased amplification patterns of these satellite repeats through existing genome assemblies or dual-color FISH, indicating their distinct dynamic evolution in the allotetraploid okra subgenome. Moreover, we observed the presence of multiple chromosomes harboring the 35 S rDNA loci, alongside another chromosomal pair carrying the 5 S rDNA loci in okra using FISH assay. Remarkably, the intensity of 35 S rDNA hybridization signals varied among chromosomes, with the signals predominantly localized within regions of relatively weak DAPI staining, associated with GC-rich heterochromatin regions. Finally, we observed a similar localization pattern between 35 S rDNA and three satellite repeats with high GC content and confirmed their origin in the intergenic spacer region of the 35 S rDNA. Conclusions Our findings uncover a unique satellite repeat signature in the allotetraploid okra, contributing to our understanding of the composition, abundance, and chromosomal distribution of satellite repeats in allopolyploid genomes, further enriching our understanding of their evolutionary dynamics in complex allopolyploid genomes.

Woody pepper is a perennial liana of the botanical family Piperaceae distributed in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. This species is unique as its stem segments are used as a spice. However, the botanical identity of the species has remained debatable. Hence, this study was performed to resolve the taxonomical confusion. The DNA barcoding approach was followed; two plastid barcode markers, namely, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit ( rbcL ) gene and psbA-trnH spacer region recommended by the Consortium for the Barcode of Life were used. The findings indicated that the correct botanical identity of woody pepper is Piper pendulispicum . Literature survey of floristic records revealed that it has so far not been reported in India. Therefore, this wet tropical biome species is documented here as an addition to the flora of India. These results are expected to aid in the conservation of this unique genetic resource present in these remotely located islands of India and promote its cultivation.

During nematode surveys in natural vegetation in Sierra Mágina, Jaén province, southern Spain, a Longidorus species closely resembling Longidorus carpetanensis was found, but application of integrative taxonomic approaches clearly demonstrated that it is a new species described herein as Longidorus maginicus n. sp. The new species is amphimictic, characterized by a moderately long body (4.2–5.2 mm); lip region anteriorly flattened, slightly separated from the rest of body by a depression, 9.0–11.0 μm wide and 3.5–6.0 μm high; amphidial fovea not lobed; relatively short odontostyle (61.0–70.5 μm); guiding ring located 23.5–27.0 μm from anterior end; vulva located at 42.0%–51.3% of body length; female tail 39.0–61.0 μm long, conoid, dorsally convex with rounded terminus (c′ = 1.3–2.1), with two or three pairs of caudal pores; and males common (1:2 ratio males:females), with moderately long spicules (39.0–48.5 μm) and 1 + 6–9 ventromedian supplements and three juvenile developmental stages. According to the polytomous key, codes for the new species are (codes in parentheses are exceptions): A2-B1-C2-D2-E1-F2(3)-G2-H5(4)-I2-J1-K6. The results of molecular analysis of D2–D3 28S, internal transcribed spacer region, partial 18S rDNA, and cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1 (coxI) gene sequences further characterized the new species status, and separated it from L. carpetanensis and other related species.

Equine histoplasmosis commonly known as epizootic lymphangitis (EL) is a neglected granulomatous disease of equine that is endemic to Ethiopia. It is caused by Histoplasma capsulatum variety farciminosum , a dimorphic fungus that is closely related to H. capsulatum variety c apsulatum. The objective of this study was to undertake a phylogenetic analysis of H. capsulatum isolated from EL cases of horses in central Ethiopia and evaluate their relationship with H. capsulatum isolates in other countries and/or clades using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rRNA genes. Clinical and mycological examinations, DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Sanger sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis were used for undertaking this study. Additionally, sequence data of Histoplasma isolates were retrieved from GenBank and included for a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis. A total of 390 horses were screened for EL and 97 were positive clinically while H. capsulatum was isolated from 60 horses and further confirmed with PCR, of which 54 were sequenced. BLAST analysis of these 54 isolates identified 29 H. capsulatum isolates and 14 isolates from other fungal genera while the remaining 11 samples were deemed insufficient for further downstream analysis. The phylogenetic analysis identified five clades, namely, African, Eurasian, North American 1 and 2, and Latin American A and B. The Ethiopian isolates were closely aggregated with isolates of the Latin American A and Eurasian clades, whereas being distantly related to isolates from North American 1 and 2 clades as well as Latin American B clade. This study highlights the possible origins and transmission routes of Histoplasmosis in Ethiopia.

Elm trees (Ulmus sp.) occurring naturally or planted as ornamentals in Europe are susceptible to powdery mildew (PM). In the past, the causal agent of the powdery mildew symptoms on the adaxial side of leaves of Ulmus trees was Erysiphe ulmi in Hungary. However, we identified E. kenjiana on Ulmus pumila leaves sampled from the urban area of Budapest. Identification was based on morphological characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analysis. Numerous spherical chasmothecia, which were 58–94 µm in diameter, were found on the samples. The apices of the appendages were characteristically spirally twisted and flattened. Anamorphs were found only on one sample, characterized by conidiophores developing ellipsoid–cylindrical conidia singly. The mycelium was epiphytic with lobed to multilobed hyphal appressoria, mostly in opposite pairs. The internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) of the nrDNA was amplified, and the BLAST search showed 100% similarity with E. kenjiana sequences in GenBank. In the maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis, the sequences of the Hungarian samples grouped in one clade with the sequences of other E. kenjiana specimens collected in Europe and Asia. This is the first report of the non-native E. kenjiana causing powdery mildew on Ulmus pumila in Hungary.

Research studies on the conservation genetics of endangered plants play a crucial role in establishing management plans for biodiversity conservation. Phoebe chekiangensis is a precious and scarce tree species resource in the East China region. To comprehend the origin, evolutionary history, geographical, and historical factors that has contributed to the current distribution pattern of Phoebe chekiangensis in the East China region, we conducted a phylogeographic analysis that utilized intergenic spacers of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA). We amplified and sequenced three spacer regions of cpDNA (psbC-trnS, trnL-Intro, and Ycf3) intergenic spacer regions of 306 individuals from 11 populations, encompassing the majority of its geographical range in China. Our analysis revealed a total of 11 haplotypes. The research findings show that the spacer regions of the cpDNA genetic diversity of Phoebe chekiangensis was Hd = 0.423, and the nucleotide diversity was Pi × 10−3 = 0.400. At the species level, the population differentiation index Fst = 0.25610 (p < 0.05), and the gene flow Nm = 0.73. The genetic variation between populations was 29.14%, while within populations, it was 70.86%, with the inter-population genetic variation much lower than the within-population variation. The divergence time between the genera Phoebe and Machilus was estimated to be approximately 37.87 mya (PP = 1; 95%HPD: 25.63–44.54 mya), and the crown group time of the genus Phoebe was estimated to be 21.30 mya (PP = 1; 95%HPD: 9.76–34.94 mya). The common ancestor of the 11 Phoebe chekiangensis haplotypes was 7.85 mya, while the H7, H8, and H10 haplotypes of Phoebe chekiangensis (northern region) differentiated relatively late, with a divergence time of 1.90 mya. Neutrality tests (NTs) and mismatch distribution analysis (MDA) suggest that the time frame for Phoebe chekiangensis to expand southwestward along Wuyishan was relatively short and its adaptability to the environment was low, thereby limiting the formation of new haplotypes. These results suggest that Phoebe chekiangensis exhibited greater adaptation to the northern subtropics than to the central subtropics, offering valuable insights for the conservation and utilization of germplasm resources.