Characterisation of energy-dependent efflux of imazalil and fenarimol in isolates of Penicillium italicum with a low,medium and high degree of resistance to DMI-fungicides

Differential accumulation of [¹⁴C]imazalil and [¹⁴C]fenarimol by germlings of wild-type and DMI-resistant isolates ofPenicillium italicum was studied at various pH values. At pH 7 and 8 the low-resistant isolate E_300–3 accumulated 22% and 35%, respectively, less imazalil than the wild-type isolate W₅. Imazalil accumulation at pH 5 and 6 was similar. Isolate E_300–3 also accumulated less fenarimol as compared with the wild-type isolate. This difference was much more obvious than for imazalil and was observed at all pH values tested. Differences in accumulation of both imazalil and fenarimol between low (E_300–3), medium (H₁₇) and high resistant (I₃₃) isolates were not observed. These results suggest that decreased accumulation of DMIs is responsible for a low level of resistance only and that additional mechanisms of resistance might operate in isolates with a medium and high degree of resistance. With all isolates fenarimol accumulation was energy-dependent. This was not obvious for imazalil.The wild-type and DMI-resistant isolates had a similar plasma membrane potential as determined with the probe [¹⁴C]tetraphenylphosphonium bromide ([¹⁴C]TPP⁺). Various test compounds, among which ATPase inhibitors, ionophoric antibiotics and calmodulin antagonists, affected the accumulation of [¹⁴C]TPP⁺, [¹⁴C]imazalil and [¹⁴C]fenarimol. No obvious correlation between the effects of the test compounds on accumulation levels of the fungicides and [¹⁴C]TPP⁺ could be observed. These results indicate that the plasma membrane potential does not mediate the efflux of DMI fungicides byP. italicum.     

Cyclooxygenase ‐2 Expression in Mammary Tumors in Dogs and its Correlation to Histologic and Biologic Behavior

Introduction:  Cyclooxygenase‐2 (Cox‐2) is the inducible form and the rate‐limiting enzyme, for conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. Cox‐2 overexpression, common in carcinomas, is associated with increased growth rate, resistance to apoptosis, angiogenesis, and overall, both local and distant aggressive behavior. Cox‐2 overexpression has been detected in human and canine mammary tumors (MTs). Histopathology of canine MT is not always predictive of biologic behavior, and anecdotally, only 50% of the malignant MTs are expected to metastasize. We hypothesize that Cox‐2 expression correlates with aggressive behavior.
Methods:  This retrospective study evaluated 48 bitches, presented for excision of MT between 2000 and 2003 at FMVZ de Botucatu‐UNESP, Brasil. Follow‐up varied from 18 months to 24 months and included physical examination and thoracic radiographs. Histopathologic examination was performed in all tumors, as well as in metastatic lesions when detected in the follow‐up period. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect expression of Cox‐2 in paraffin blocks (Rabbit polyclonal anti‐PGHS‐2. Oxford Biomedical). 10 adenomas, 10 carcinomas, 10 benign mixed tumors, 10 malignant mixed tumors and 8 cases of primary carcinomas and their metastatic lesions.
Results:  Expression of Cox‐2 varied among groups. Adenomas (32.1%), mixed benign tumors (38%), carcinomas (60.3%), malignant mixed tumors (65.8%), and metastatic carcinomas (81.25%) and their metastatic lesions (84.35%). Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between the benign and malignant counterparts and between carcinomas and metastatic carcinomas.
Conclusions:  Cox‐2 expression correlates with both histologic and biologic behavior in mammary carcinomas, and may serve as a predictor of metastatic potential.     

剡溪山水文化旅游资源开发设想

文化底蕴越是丰厚的旅游资源，开发价值就越高。正是众多文人贤士游剡访古，使浙东剡溪的历史、文化与自然山水完美地结合在一起，形成了绚丽多彩的剡溪山水文化。文化被认为是旅游业的灵魂，是一种潜在的旅游产品。要提高山水旅游产品的文化品位，必须将山水文化的潜在价值转化为旅游产品。本文对剡溪山水文化旅游资源的开发提出了以下设想：再现“唐诗之路”山水旅游美景，并着重于按唐诗及有关文献、传说等增添新景点，沿江、沿山、于水中进行山水、文化全面开发，形成立体式、全景式的剡中山水文化游道；可开发出文化生态、修学、科考、宗教、节庆等剡溪山水文化旅游产品。     

论个性化的大学英语课程设置

讨论了目前大学英语课程设置单一的现状，并分析其形成原因。文章以ESP研究关于需求分析的理论为依据，提出大学应根据学生的实际需要、新时期国家和社会对人才培养需要，区别不同层次、不同程度、不同专业学生的需求，而专门设置一系列大学英语课程。说明了设置个性化的大学英语课程的理由和好处。     

Does matrix resistance influence Red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris L. 1758) distribution in an urban landscape?

In determining isolation effects in fragmented populations, the landscape matrix is not often considered. Usually simple distance measures are used to quantify degree of isolation. We tested the effect of the matrix on the presence of red squirrels in 354 wooded patches in the Brussels Region, by comparing several isolation measures. These were 1) distance to the nearest source patch, 2) the Hanski-measure (a combination of distance to and size of all possible sources), 3) effective distances calculated from different least cost models using the ArcView grid extension ‘Cost Distance’ (a combination of distance and resistance of the landscape, with different resistances for different landscape types) and 4) some combinations of the Hanski-measure and the effective distances. Size and quality of the target patches were always included in the tests of the predictive power of different isolation measures on squirrel presence/absence. All variables examined (patch size, quality and isolation) significantly influenced squirrel presence. Models using the effective distances gave the best results. Models including the Hanski-measure improved significantly when Euclidean distance was replaced by effective distance, showing that parameterisation of matrix resistance added significant additional explanatory power when modelling squirrel presence. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Secretion of Natural and Synthetic Toxic Compounds from Filamentous Fungi by Membrane Transporters of the ATP-binding Cassette and Major Facilitator Superfamily

This review provides an overview of members of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) and major facilitator superfamily (MFS) of transporters identified in filamentous fungi. The most common function of these membrane proteins is to provide protection against natural toxic compounds present in the environment of fungi, such as antibiotics produced by other microorganisms. In plant pathogenic fungi, these transporters can also be an important determinant of virulence on host plants by providing protection against plant defence compounds or mediating the secretion of host-specific toxins. Furthermore, they play a critical role in determining base-line sensitivity to fungicides and other antimycotic agents. Overexpression of some of these transporters can lead to the development of resistance to chemically-unrelated compounds, a phenomenon described as multidrug resistance (MDR). This has been observed in a variety of organisms and can impose a serious threat to the effective control of pathogenic fungi.     

The pupal morphology of Cameraria ohridella compared with that of the genus Phyllonorycter (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae)

The pupal morphology of the pest species Cameraria ohridella is described and compared with that of the genus Phyllonorycter. The most striking differences are the longer antennal appendages, the absence of a cremaster, the presence of strong lateral thorns on abdominal segments 1–5 and an area without small spines on the same abdominal segments in Cameraria.     

生长肥育猪骨骼肌注射表达pGRF基因质粒的效应研究

将猪的GRF基因表达质粒注射于猪的骨骼肌后,研究其促生长效应与机理。选用始重6.3kg的44头去势长白×太湖仔猪,分6组,采用2×3因子安排的完全随机区组设计,按6～10kg、10～20kg、20～50kg、50～100kg4个阶段饲养。4个饲养阶段的饲粮低蛋白水平分别是20.70%,17.90%,15.03%,13.00%;高蛋白水平分别是23.70%,20.90%,18.02%,16.00%。pGRF基因质粒注射剂量设0mg、0.5mg、1.0mg3个水平,于试验开始与试验猪体重达60kg时共注射基因质粒2次。测定各阶段日增重,饲料消耗量,耗料增重比以及30、70、100kg时血液中GH、GRF、IGF-I的浓度。100kg时屠宰进行胴体品质测定。结果表明:饲粮蛋白水平对各阶段及全期试验猪日增重均有显著影响(P<0.05或P<0.01),对50～100kg阶段与全期日采食量和耗料增重比有显著影响(P<0.05或P<0.01)。注射pGRF基因质粒对各阶段及全期日增重均有显著影响(P<0.05),对6～10kg、10～20kg、50～100kg3阶段及全期日采食量有显著影响(P<0.05),对6～10kg阶段、50～100kg阶段及全期耗料增重比有显著影响(P<0.05)。注射pGRF基因质粒对30kg及70kg体重时猪血液中GRF、GH、IGF-I浓度均有显著影响(P<0.05)。提高饲粮蛋白水平与注射pGRF基因质粒均可明显降低超声波测膘厚及屠宰测膘厚、增大眼肌面积(P<0.05)。     

Prediction of chemical composition and peroxide value in unground pet foods by near‐infrared spectroscopy

The massive development of the pet food industry in recent years has lead to the formulation of hundreds of canine and feline complete extruded foods with the objective of meeting both the needs of the animals and numerous demands from pet owners. In the meantime, highly variable raw material compositions and the industry's new production techniques oblige manufacturers to monitor all phases of the extrusion process closely in order to ensure the targeted composition and quality of the products. This study aimed at evaluating the potential of infrared technology (visible and near‐infrared spectrophotometer; 570–1842 nm) in predicting the chemical composition and peroxide value (PV) of unground commercial extruded dog foods. Six hundred and forty‐nine commercial extruded dog foods were collected. For each product, an unground aliquot was analysed by infrared instrument while a second aliquot was sent to a laboratory for proximate analysis and PV quantification. The wide range of extruded dog food typologies included in the study was responsible for the wide variability observed within each nutritional trait, especially crude fibre and ash. The mean value of the 208 pet foods sampled for PV quantification was 17.49 mEq O₂/kg fat (min 2.2 and max 94.10 mEq O₂/kg fat). The coefficients of determination in cross‐validation of NIRS prediction models were 0.77, 0.97, 0.83, 0.86, 0.78 and 0.94 for moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, ash and nitrogen‐free extract (NFE) respectively. PV prediction was less precise, as demonstrated by the coefficient of determination in cross‐validation (0.66). The results demonstrated the potential of NIRS in predicting chemical composition in unground samples, with lower accuracy for moisture and ash, while PV prediction models suggest use for screening purposes only.