Sharmeen Islam¹, Md. Tanvir Rahman², Syed Md. Ehsanur Rahman¹, Md. Rokibul Islam Khan^1*

¹Department of Animal Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

²Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Abstract

COVID-19 is a worldwide pandemic that spread over 192 countries and caused more than 3 million people deaths by 2021. It arises a concern on livestock cultivation, their production, and maintaining the supply chain to sustain the existing economy worldwide. The prediction of potential consequences on livestock production and food security is unexpected. Numerous cases among workers in animal farms and product processing plants are evolved during the panic situation, leading to a negative impact on livestock management, and the distribution of products to human doors simultaneously. One of the significant contributions to the drastic decline in livestock operation is the high cost of animal feed. Social distance also slows down all regular activities in livestock farms, resulting in a considerable upset on outcomes. Not only that shutting down transportation flexibility leads to be a burden for farmers in case of high production costs. In the context of consumers, the sublime price of meat, milk, and eggs has addressed the exacerbating risk to worldwide nutrition security. Hence, the world is experiencing an outbreak challenge in resilient, fair, and flexible animal production systems and ensuring food safety globally.

Keywords: COVID-19, Food security, Livestock production, Supply chain, Economy

Sara Omar Swar¹, Bushra Hussain Shnawa^{2, 3*}

¹College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, Salahaddin University, Kurdistan, Iraq

²Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Soran University, Kurdistan, Iraq

³Scientific Research Center, Soran University, Kurdistan, Iraq

Abstract

Sarcocystosis is a parasitic disease caused by Sarcocystis species that infect humans and animals. It is prevalent in small ruminants like sheep and goats worldwide and causing pathogenic impacts that lead to economic losses owing to carcass condemnation, abortion, and death. Recently, several molecular and phylogenetic analyses have been developed to differentiate Sarcocystis species including, the 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, 18S rDNA, and ITS-1 region. In recent years, the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox-1) was successfully used for this purpose. The DNA barcoding using the cox1 gene is a reliable tool to distinguish and identify the main Sarcocystis genotypes. Therefore, several studies confirmed that the cox1 gene is a promising DNA marker for studying the genus Sarcocystis. The current review aims to highlight the molecular methods that exist for the identification of Sarcocystis species. The results showed that the Sarcocystis species of sheep and goats were genetically close related and may be considered as sibling strains, as well as the cross-infection may happen among them. Consequently, the host specificity of several Sarcocystis species is questionable. The findings additional emphasized that experimental transmission investigations within the proposed definitive host are required to confirm the characteristics and host ranges of the Sarcocystis spp. in sheep and goats. The current review represents updated knowledge about molecular discrimination of Sarcocystis species in small ruminants by reviewing and analyzing the recent articles in this aspect.

Keywords: Sarcocystis species, Small ruminants, Molecular identification, PCR

Nur Izyan Wan Azelee^1,2*, Hesham El-Enshasy^1,2,3, Daniel Joe Dailin^1,2, Nor Hasmaliana Abdul Manas¹, Roslinda Abd Malek², Mohd Akmali Mokhter³, Nurrulhidayah Salamun³, Roshanida A. Rahman²

¹Institute of Bioproduct Development (IBD), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, UTM Skudai, Johor, Malaysia

²School of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Skudai, Johor, Malaysia

³Bioprocess Development Department, City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications (CSAT), New Burg Al Arab, Alexandria, Egypt

⁴Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, UTM Skudai, Johor, Malaysia

Abstract

The recent outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic has triggered the world in finding and developing efficient disinfectants and sanitizers. This deadly contagious virus has urged all scientist to study the natural characteristic of the virus and thus, to be able to produce the suitable antiviral drug. As developing vaccine is long time-consuming process, the development of disinfectants and sanitizers are necessary to reduce the spread of this pandemic disease. Many types and version of these products have developed and marketed. Several issues, such as the high percentage of alcohol, the high flammability of the product, and many more have arisen. This review provides a comprehensive overview on the type of chemicals used as antimicrobial in general and antiviral in specific agents. In addition, it also discusses the chemical and herbal formulations, factors affecting the performance of antimicrobial agents, the safety precautions, and the future trend of sanitizers and disinfectants. Ultimately, the choice for the best disinfectants and sanitizers formulation would depend on the sensitivity of the surfaces regardless of on skin or other surface materials.

 Keywords: Sanitizer, Disinfectant, Pandemic, Antimicrobial, Antiviral

Usman Ijaz¹, Tehreem Pervaiz¹, Temoor Ahmed¹, Riffat Seemab¹, Muhammad Shahid¹, Muhammad Noman¹, Majid Nadeem², Farrukh Azeem^1*

¹Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan

²Wheat Research Institute, Ayub Agriculture Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan

 Abstract

Biotic and abiotic factors badly affect the productivity and growth of plants and found the major yield-limiting factor in agriculture. In recent years, various cis-regulatory elements have been identified that can function as molecular switches to regulate the expression of stress-related genes. They comprise of insulators, silencers, promoters and enhancers. These elements mediate not only functional diversity, but also modulate plant physiology at all developmental stages. Thus, identifying and characterizing cis elements that are intricated in plant stress response is essential for the development of plants tolerance to stress. This review article presents characteristic properties of cis-acting regulatory elements. Two aspects of cis-elements are targeted; one is properties and examples of condition-specific cis-elements while the other is techniques used for their identification. This review will be helpful in elucidating recent advancements in cis–elements studies.

Keywords: Regulatory elements, Tissue specific, Promoter, Plants, Gene regulation

Alexandra D. Solomou^1*, Elpiniki Skoufogianni², Christos Mylonas², Rafailia Germani², Nicholaos G. Danalatos²

¹Institute of Mediterranean and Forest Ecosystems, Hellenic Agricultural Organization “Demeter”, N. Chlorou 1, 11528, Ilisia, Athens, Greece

²Laboratory of Agronomy and Applied Crop Physiology, Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, Fytokou Str., 38446, N. Ionia, Magnesia, Volos, Greece

Abstract

The Greek ecosystems consist of a variety of plant species, of which a large percentage have aromatic and medicinal properties. Aromatic and medicinal plants play an important role in the health of people worldwide, especially in developing countries. The present review focuses on Sideritis spp. that is an important plant with an increased attention in the last years for its wide range of uses and especially due to its medicinal properties. The location and conditions of the areas that can be used for its cultivation should be similar to those of its natural habitat in order to keep the product quality. It is important to mention that both the yield and the lifetime of the crop depend to a large extent on cultivation care. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that Sideritis spp. fetch an auspicious potential for improvement of memory in healthy adults as well as in dementia patients. Currently, the demand for these plants and their derivatives has increased because they are natural, eco-friendly and generally recognized as safe products with high economic value. Therefore, it comprises an important commodity for extensive cultivation in Greece in the near future. Hence, this emphasizes the need of extensive study for reporting the additional information on the aromatic and medicinal importance of Sideritis spp.

Keywords: Cultivated practices, Ecology, Diversity, Compounds, Essential oil, Sideritis

Alfred Maroyi

Medicinal Plants and Economic Development (MPED) Research Centre, Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Private Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa

Abstract

Croton species collected from the wild have always been used as herbal medicines for various diseases in Madagascar. The objective of this investigation was to review the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of Croton species that are endemic to Madagascar. Relevant literature search was carried out using internet sources such as ACS, Web of Science, Wiley, SpringerLink, Scopus, Mendeley, Google Scholar, Pubmed, SciFinder, BioMed Central, Science Direct and Elsevier. Other literature sources were conference papers, book chapters, books, theses and websites. Literature sources revealed that leaves, bark, roots and twigs of Croton species are commonly used as traditional remedies for 38 human diseases and ailments in Madagascar. Cough, malaria, stomach problems, hypertension, asthma, colic and fever are the most commonly treated human diseases, including use of leafy branches of Croton species as insect and lice repellents. Phytochemical compounds isolated from Croton species include alkaloids, diterpenoids, essential oils, flavonoids, furanoditerpenoids and triterpenoids. Preliminary pharmacological studies indicate that crude extracts and compounds isolated from these species have antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. In as much as the medicinal potential of Croton species should be evaluated, more intensive phytochemical and pharmacological assessments should be conducted to enhance the pharmaceutical potential of the species.

Keywords: Croton, Endemic species, Madagascar, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological properties

Oluwafemi O Oguntibeju

Phytomedicine and Phytochemistry Group, Oxidative Stress Research Centre, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Bellville, 7535, South Africa

Abstract

There is no doubt that advances have been made and significant improvement reported on the application of orthodox therapies in the management and treatment of various acute and chronic diseases. However, different reports seem to show that orthodox therapies are restricted by mechanisms of action, which tend to focus on the symptoms of the disease instead of the main cause. On the other hand, throughout history, African traditional medicine (ATM) using products majorly from medicinal plants have been applied to alleviate symptoms of various diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, infertility, parasitic, bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Globally, information in respect of certain medicinal plants and their activities has been passed on from generation to generation. Fortunately, scientific studies have been able to confirm some of these claims and established the importance of medicinal plants in health care. Although African traditional medicine has contributed significantly to health care in Africa with over 80% of the population using African traditional medicine for their primary health service, it is faced with some challenges in term of its regulation and practice. Indiscriminate or non-regulated applications of various herbal medicines has put the health of people especially in African countries at the risk of toxicity or adverse effects or even death. It is for this reason that this paper examines the relevance of African traditional medicine, its regulation, the challenges associated with its regulation and the way forward.

Keywords: Medicinal Plants, Diseases, Treatment, Management, Tradition, Africa