Background: Candida albicans is an infectious fungus that infects people with weakened immune systems. The identification of resistance genes such as ERG2 is important to manage the disease prevalence. This study aimed to detect the ERG2 gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences in Candida albicans clinical isolates and evaluate antifungal resistance.
Methods: This study assessed 221 samples for Candida albicans using conventional methods like Gram staining, germ tube tests, and biochemical analysis. Molecular techniques, specifically PCR, were employed to detect the ERG2 gene and amplify internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences for accurate identification and antifungal resistance evaluation. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using the agar dilution method against a panel of five drugs. The amplified ITS regions were also subjected to sequencing for further molecular characterization of the isolates.
Results: The maximum prevalence of Candida species was observed in the female patients (116 out of 129). The age group 21-30 showed a higher prevalence of Candida species also showed higher resistance to antifungal drugs. The maximum resistance observed was for Nystatin (83.7%) and Itraconazole (83.0%) for all the age groups. The ERG2 gene detection was limited to females' isolates, especially from the vaginal and endocervical swabs.
Conclusion: Our study thus supports the use of molecular techniques, particularly the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), as a key marker for identifying fungi.
Background: Triploidy induction is widely employed in aquaculture to produce sterile fish, offering potential benefits such as enhanced growth and improved market control. However, induced triploidy is frequently associated with skeletal deformities, which pose a threat to fish welfare and reduce commercial viability. Optimizing induction protocols is essential to mitigate these negative effects.
Methods: Triploidy was induced in fertilized eggs of Schizothorax richardsonii using hydrostatic pressure shocks of 5000, 6000, and 7000 psi, applied for either 3 or 5 minutes at 12 minutes post-fertilization. Ploidy status was verified through cytogenetic analysis. At 75 days post-hatching, vertebral deformities were assessed via morphological examination. Deformity rates were statistically compared across treatment groups and against untreated diploid controls.
Results: The treatment of 5000 psi for 5 minutes produced the highest triploidy induction rate. All triploid groups exhibited significantly higher vertebral deformity rates compared to diploid controls. The maximum recorded deformity rate was 3.5 ± 0.13% in the 7000 psi / 5 minute group, whereas diploid controls showed no deformities (0.0%). Our findings revealed that deformities increased with rising pressure intensity or prolonged exposure.
Conclusion: Triploidy induction in S. richardsonii has significant potential for enhancing aquaculture production, but it also increases the risk of skeletal deformities. These deformities can adversely affect fish survival, marketability, and production costs. To improve the commercial feasibility and ethical standards of triploid fish farming, further research should focus on optimizing induction parameters and investigating alternative methods to minimize deformities.
Silicon is required for the crop in subjects such as dry matter production, photosynthetic rate, and transpiration rate. Application of silicon to the crop promoted the growth and dry matter production, and also prevented over-transpiration and increased the water use efficiency in leaves. It curbed the photosynthetic depression and also the destruction of chlorophyll in senescent leaves. Hence application of silicon, which would maintain the photosynthetic activity, is regarded as a main reason for dry matter production in rice. Using silicon as a foliar spray under drought conditions at the flowering stage will reduce the reduction in yield and increase the yield potential. The application of Silicon in topdressing and foliar methods on the rice crop would strengthen the culm to prevent its breakage and increase yield production. It increased the diameter and width of the outer and inner layers of diameter of vascular bundles.
