Lichen

ABSTRACT Airpollution investigations have not been done in Knjaževac until now. In this work, method of bioindication by lichens has been used. On 18 investigated points it has been found 22 lichen taxa from 12 genera. By calculating Index of Atmospheric Purity (IAP) 2 zones with different air pollution (”lichen desert” and “transitional” zone) has been found. The most sensitive species in Knjaževac are Buelia punctata, Melanelia acetabulum, M. exasperata, and Parmelia tiliacea and most tolerant are Lecanora alophana, L. intumescens, L. pulicaris, Lecidella elaeochroma and Phaeophyscia orbicularis.

Antibiotic resistance among uropathogens is emerging public health problem. This study was done for assessing
antibiotic and multidrug resistance (MDR) patterns of Escherichia coli at Bir Hospital, Kathmandu, among suspected
urinary tract infection (UTI) patients from January to March, 2011. Altogether, 739 urine samples were analysed by
semi-quantitative culture method and uropathogens were identified by conventional methods. E. coli was tested
(109 samples) for antimicrobial susceptibility by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method as per Clinical and Laboratory
Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Out of 739 samples, 27.3% gave significant growth while 3.1% and 29.2%
samples gave mixed and non-significant growth respectively. E. coli was found to be most predominant isolate
(54.0%) followed by coagulase negative Staphylococci (CoNS) (21.3%) and Enterococcus spp. (7.3%). Nitrofurantoin
was found to be the most effective antibiotic followed by ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin while cephalexin was least
effective. Out of 109 E. coli isolates, 90.8% were MDR strains and most of the isolates had a very high multiple
antibiotic resistance (MAR) index, suggesting the origin of the isolates to be of high antibiotic usage. E. coli
showed higher rate of resistance towards commonly used oral antibiotics. However, nitrofurantoin is still active
against organisms. Thus, nitrofurantoin could be the choice for empirical therapy of UTI.
Key words: Escherichia coli, multidrug resistance, multiple antibiotic resistance index, urinary tract infection

Australian species of Chara L. sect. Charopsis (Kütz.) Leonh. are revised. Multivariate analysis supports recognition of four species: Chara braunii C.C.Gmel., C. evanida Casanova, C. karolii Casanova and C. muelleri (A.Braun) F.Muell. These taxa are described and illustrated, and a key is provided.

Context: Lichen is a self-supporting symbiotic organism composed of a fungus and an algal partner. They have manifold biological activities like antiviral, antibiotic, antioxidant, antitumor, allergenic and inhibition of plant growth. Species of Cladonia, have been studied by its antifungal activity. Aims: To evaluate the antifungal activity determination of Cladonia aff. rappii against five yeasts, four of genus Candida and one Cryptococcus, using water, ethanol and dichloromethane extracts. Methods: The evaluation of the antifungal activity was developed by three diffusion methods such as spot-on-a-lawn, disc diffusion and well diffusion. Additionally, the values of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were determined. Results: Based on the experimental results obtained, the best antifungal activity was using ethanol extract at 20 mg/mL against Candida albicans, applying the three diffusion methods above mentioned. With ethanol extract, the lower MIC was against Candida glabrata and the lower MFC were with Candida glabrata, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis. The dichloromethane extract presented the lowest MIC and MFC against C. neoformans. Not activity was observed with aqueous extract. Conclusions: The present study revealed antifungal and fungicidal activity in the extract of lichen Cladonia aff. rappii.

The 7th International Workshop on Biomonitoring of Atmospheric Pollution (BIOMAP 7) will be held in the city of Lisbon, Portugal, from June 14th to 19th 2015.

This is the third time that BIOMAP is organized in Portugal and it is a pleasure and an honor for Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) to organize such an important meeting of researchers, policy makers and practitioners in environmental sciences from all over the world.

There is a growing need for air and biological monitoring within the preventive context of identifying health hazards at the environment and of keeping them under control. Biomonitoring is a sensitive, selective and user-friendly method for air quality management. The objective of BIOMAP 7 is to promote knowledge on methods and strategies for workplace, indoor and ambient air monitoring. In addition to the specific issues related to biomonitoring as a technique, this workshop specifically addresses the potential use of biomonitoring data in assessing the human exposure to toxic substances.

BIOMAP 7 is expected to provide an opportunity for an interchange of ideas among researchers, policy markers and practitioners in environmental sciences.

Scientific Program

Topics on biomonitoring of atmospheric pollution:

Biological, physical, morphological and chemical aspects
Monitoring techniques
Chemical speciation
Quality of measurement/uncertainties
Spatial and temporal patterns
Modelling
Source apportionment
Geostatistical on biomonitoring science
Air quality management
Exposure, human health and epidemiology
Biological monitoring – biomarkers of exposure

More info at:

http://www.biomap.ctn.ist.utl.pt

https://www.facebook.com/BIOMAP7

A new species, Rinodina indica Vishal Kumar, R. Ngangom & Nayaka is described from India. It is characterized by ochraceous, areolate, blastidiate thallus with brown, 1-septate Teichophila-type ascospores. Eight additional species of the genus viz., R. archaea (Ach.) Arnold, R. dolichospora Malme, R. mniaroeiza (Nyl.) Arnold, R. obnascens (Nyl.) H. Olivier, R. oleae Bagl., R. plana H. Magn., R. pyrina (Ach.) Arnold and R. trevisanii (Hepp) Körb., are reported for the first time from India. Detailed description, illustration and distribution for new species and new records are provided. A key to all species of Rinodina presently known from India is also provided.