Tabernaemontana sananho is a tree member of the Apocynaceae family referred to as sikta in Kichwa language. It is widely used in northern South America as painkiller, stimulant, antiseptic and is also highly valued as a sacred plant. In this work, we report the traditional knowledge and uses of sikta by the scarcely contacted Kichwa community of Pakayaku (Pastaza province, Ecuador) and further provide a scientific framework for its scientific validation. A review of the available literature revealed the presence of a wealth of biologically active indole alkaloids that potentially account for the great number of medicinal uses of sikta. This case study is illustrative of the importance of scientific validation of traditional knowledge (i) for indigenous communities —as empowering tool—, (ii) for the sake of scientific knowledge and (iii) for plant conservation.

Haemonchosis, caused by the abomasal nematode Haemonchus contortus, is a common parasitic disease of sheep. Our previous results showed that a soluble fraction from adult stages of the nematode (p26/23) induced partial protection against challenge. Recombinant DNA technology was applied to obtain a synthetic protein (rHcp26/23). Immunological assays (ELISA, Western blotting, and immunolocalization), using sera from lambs immunized with p26/23, confirmed the identity of the recombinant protein and demonstrated that the synthetic protein is equivalent to the purified protein employed in the previous immunoprophylaxis studies. Vaccination of lambs with 300 and Freund's adjuvant elicited a notable specific antibody response. Immunization did not induce any significant protection after challenge with 16000 infective larvae of H. contortus, and comparable values for parasite faecal egg output, packed cell volume, and abomasal parasite burdens were found in vaccinated and control animals.

Se estudió la caracterización biológica y la patogenicidad diferencial de tres aislados de Haemonchus contortus , uno autóctono (Aran 99) y dos alóctonos (Moredun Research Institute, MRI, y Merck Sharp and Dohme, MSD) mediante infección experimental primaria de corderos Manchego . Así, seis corderas (5,5 meses de edad) fueron infectadas con 12.000 larvas L³ de cada aislado de helminto . Se midieron parámetros parasitológicos (periodo prepatente, dinámica de excreción de huevos del parásito), biopatológicos (celulares empaquetados [PCV], concentración de hemoglobina, proteínas plasmáticas , pepsinógeno sérico) y zootécnicos (ganancia de peso vivo, perímetro torácico) a lo largo del estudio. Después del sacrificio (85 días posteriores a la infección (pi)), se inspeccionaron las canales de cordero para determinar la carga y el desarrollo de parásitos (tasa de establecimiento, proporción macho/hembra, grado de desarrollo de parásitos) y se comparó el peso promedio de las canales de los grupos experimentales. La combinación autóctona (corderos Manchegos—Aran 99) presentó un periodo prepatente más largo (28 días) y un patrón de eliminación de huevos significativamente diferente (máxima eliminación el día 80 pi). La tasa de establecimiento y la carga parasitaria (valores promedio de 8,18% y 988 helmintos adultos, respectivamente) fueron bajas, sin diferencias significativas entre aislados. No hubo diferencias significativas en el desarrollo de nematodos parásitos en términos de tamaño y peso (1264,66 μm y 149,45 μg para gusanos machos y 2093,33 μm y 411,46 μg para hembras, respectivamente), aunque las hembras Aran 99 pesaron menos ( p < 0,05). Todos los aislados indujeron una reducción leve pero significativa de los valores de PCV a partir del día 23 pi. Se encontraron diferencias entre aislados, siendo los efectos en el caso de MSD más pronunciados. Las variaciones de los niveles de proteína sérica fueron mínimas en todos los grupos de corderos. La ganancia de peso vivo de los animales infectados con MSD y Aran 99 fue significativamente menor ( p < 0,05) que la de los corderos infectados con MRI y los animales control no infectados. El rendimiento de la canal de los corderos infectados con el aislado autóctono (Aran 99) fue menor. Por lo tanto, el aislado MSD mostró una mayor patogenicidad comparativa .

Traditionally, pavement distress evaluations were carried out by visual observation. Traditional practice requires a person to walk along the stretch of the pavement to conduct distress survey, take photo and measure defects occurred at deteriorated surfaces. However, this approach is too subjective, generates inconsistencies of information, less reliable and time-consuming. Due to these shortcomings, the transportation practitioners in pavement maintenance seek for other alternative tools and techniques to arrest incapability of traditional practices. One of the tools available in the market is Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). GPR is a geophysical tool known by ability to accommodate extensive data in pavement assessment, geotechnical investigation and structural assessment. The application of GPR is such new to most of road maintenance industry in Malaysia. Therefore, this study has been undertaken to evaluate the benefits of using GPR imaging and its application in assessing pavement structures in Malaysia. The GPR survey was conducted in Meranti street located at UTM (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia) campus, and then analyzed using REFLEX 2D simulation software. The finding shows there are three (3) types of information obtained from GPR survey included; identification of raw image and processed image, identification of pavement segments thickness, and identification of GPR response towards surface and subsurface conditions, which illustrated in radargram images. Furthermore, the GPR can perform at high speed and can save time. It is also beneficial for long-term investment due to ability to provide extensive information at a greater depth. The research indicates that interpretation of GPR’s radargram images consumes time due to the low resolution. Therefore, selection of GPR system is subject to level of accuracy and clarity of radar images needed in a project.