Antihyperlipidemic Effect of Methanolic Extract from Opuntia joconostle Seeds in Mice Fed a Hypercholesterolemic Diet

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hypolipidemic effect of a methanolic extract from Opuntia joconostle seeds fed to mice in a hypercholesterolemic diet. Acute toxicity of the methanolic extract was investigated by an established method. Phenolic composition and antioxidant activity were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and DPPH, respectively. The total phenolic content of Opuntia joconostle seeds was 47.85?±?1.29 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry weight. The main phenolic compounds were identified as quercetin, rutin, and cafeic acid. Percent inhibition of DPPH⁺ was 49.76?±?0.49 %. The oral LD₅₀ for the methanolic extract from the Opuntia joconostle seeds was >5,000 mg/kg BW. Mice fed a hypercholesterolemic diet for six days exhibited significantly (P?≤?0.001) higher plasma lipid levels than mice fed a normal diet. Remarkably, supplementation with methanolic extract from Opuntia joconostle at doses of 1, 2, and 5 g/kg body weight significantly (P?≤?0.001) prevented the increase in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides level, and atherogenic index. Similar concentrations of the HDL cholesterol were observed in both treated and control groups. A significant dose-dependent reduction in lipid levels was noted for treated groups compared to the hypercholesterolemic group. We attribute this result to the seeds’ phenolic composition. This methanolic extract has potential to be included in short-term hypercholesterolemia treatment regimens as it exhibits hypolipidemic activity with no apparent toxic manifestations.     

Proteins and Carbohydrates from Red Seaweeds: Evidence for Beneficial Effects on Gut Function and Microbiota

Based on their composition, marine algae, and namely red seaweeds, are good potential functional foods. Intestinal mucosal barrier function refers to the capacity of the intestine to provide adequate containment of luminal microorganisms and molecules. Here, we will first outline the component of seaweeds and will summarize the effects of these on the regulation of mucosal barrier function. Special attention will be paid to unique components of red seaweeds: proteins and derived peptides (e.g., phycobiliproteins, glycoproteins that contain “cellulose binding domains”, phycolectins and the related mycosporine-like amino acids) together with polysaccharides (e.g., floridean starch and sulfated galactans, such as carrageenans, agarans and “dl-hybrid”) and minerals. These compounds have been shown to exert prebiotic effects, to regulate intestinal epithelial cell, macrophage and lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation and to modulate the immune response. Molecular mechanisms of action of peptides and polysaccharides are starting to be elucidated, and evidence indicating the involvement of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGFR), Toll-like receptors (TLR) and signal transduction pathways mediated by protein kinase B (PKB or AKT), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) will also be summarized. The need for further research is clear, but in vivo experiments point to an overall antiinflammatory effect of these algae, indicating that they can reinforce membrane barrier function.     

Improved control of lettuce drop caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum using Contans combined with lignin or a reduced fungicide application

The use of Contans (Coniothyrium minitans) in Belgian commercial lettuce greenhouses has so far not always fulfilled the expectations of growers. With the aim of improving the efficacy of control of lettuce drop (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum), Contans applied alone and Contans combined with Radix (Trichoderma asperellum and Trichoderma gamsii), Kraft pine lignin and Rovral was compared in three successive lettuce crops in a naturally infested greenhouse. At harvest of each crop, the effect on disease incidence, and the effect on viability and fungal infection of sclerotia buried prior to each crop was evaluated. Contans applied alone negatively affected the sclerotial viability, but did not reduce lettuce drop symptoms. The combination of Contans with Kraft pine lignin, on the other hand, reduced sclerotial viability and lettuce drop compared with the untreated control in the last crop. Furthermore, when Contans was combined with Kraft pine lignin, a higher number of infected sclerotia was observed compared with Contans applied alone. When Radix was added to the combination, there was no extra benefit for the control of lettuce drop. The combination of one Rovral application and Contans resulted in a significant control of lettuce drop together with a negative effect on sclerotial survival. Two Rovral applications, by contrast, reduced the ability of C. minitans to parasitize and kill the sclerotia. To conclude, integration of Contans with a reduced Rovral application and with Kraft pine lignin has potential to improve the control of lettuce drop in commercial greenhouses.     

Anti HSV-1 Activity of Halistanol Sulfate and Halistanol Sulfate C Isolated from Brazilian Marine Sponge Petromica citrina (Demospongiae)

The n-butanol fraction (BF) obtained from the crude extract of the marine sponge Petromica citrina, the halistanol-enriched fraction (TSH fraction), and the isolated compounds halistanol sulfate (1) and halistanol sulfate C (2), were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on the replication of the Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1, KOS strain) by the viral plaque number reduction assay. The TSH fraction was the most effective against HSV-1 replication (SI = 15.33), whereas compounds 1 (SI = 2.46) and 2 (SI = 1.95) were less active. The most active fraction and these compounds were also assayed to determine the viral multiplication step(s) upon which they act as well as their potential synergistic effects. The anti-HSV-1 activity detected was mediated by the inhibition of virus attachment and by the penetration into Vero cells, the virucidal effect on virus particles, and by the impairment in levels of ICP27 and gD proteins of HSV-1. In summary, these results suggest that the anti-HSV-1 activity of TSH fraction detected is possibly related to the synergic effects of compounds 1 and 2.     

斑蝥素对11种害虫的杀虫活性

【目的】明确天然产物斑蝥素的杀虫谱和作用方式。【方法】采用不同生测方法,测定斑蝥素及1.0%斑蝥素乳油对11种害虫的室内毒力,观察了家蝇成虫的中毒症状。【结果】斑蝥素对家蝇成虫具有一定的胃毒作用,其48,72h的胃毒LC50分别为781.90,397.23mg/L,无触杀、熏蒸作用,其中胃毒作用较缓慢,处理约18h后才表现出明显的中毒症状;对玉米象成虫的48h胃毒LC50和触杀LD50分别为373.17mg/L和0.36μg/虫,无熏蒸活性;对大叶黄杨斑蛾4龄幼虫的24,48h触杀LD50分别为0.084,0.049μg/虫;1.0%斑蝥素乳油对烟蚜、菊姬长管蚜、桃粉蚜、萝卜蚜和月季长管蚜5种蚜虫无翅成蚜的12h触杀LC50分别为19.52,15.84,16.63,25.94,26.20mg/L;1.0%斑蝥素乳油对朱砂叶螨、麦圆蜘蛛和山楂叶螨成螨的12h触杀LC50分别为8.26,13.38,8.46mg/L。【结论】斑蝥素对多种害虫均具有不同程度的毒杀作用,其主要作用方式为触杀和胃毒。     

植物根际放线菌分离方法初探及根皮苷降解活性分析

【目的】研究不同培养基及不同土样处理方法对植物根际放线菌分离效果的影响,并从中挖掘具有开发潜力的高活性根皮苷降解放线菌株,为苹果连作障碍机制研究及微生物修复提供理论和实践指导。【方法】从吉林、河北、山东、陕西、甘肃、河南、湖北、四川、重庆、上海、江西、安徽、浙江等13个省(市)采集植物根际土样40份,自然风干处理后分别经10mmol/L的MOPS溶液及CaCO3预处理,用涂布平板法在7种不同的培养基中进行放线菌的分离培养。将分离获得的菌株点种于根皮苷筛选培养基进行活性检测。【结果】在7种培养基B、MSC、MG、MT、Chi、HSG、HV中分别分离获得100、78、108、64、79、113和88株放线菌。土样用MOPS溶液处理后所分离得到的放线菌总数明显高于用CaCO3预处理所得。分离所得630株菌株中有29株对根皮苷有降解活性。对其中41株高活性菌株及形态特殊菌株进行16SrRNA基因测序分析,发现分属于14个不同的放线菌属。【结论】7种分离培养基中HSG培养基的分离效果最好,MG培养基次之,MT培养基最差。土样处理中用MOPS溶液处理的方法优于用CaCO3预处理。根际放线菌株中有一定数量具有降解根皮苷能力的菌株。根际放线菌资源具有丰富的生物多样性。     

老参地土壤提取液对水稻种子萌发及幼苗生长的化感效应

【目的】探讨不同质量浓度老参地土壤提取液对水稻种子萌发、幼苗生长及光合作用的影响,为人参水稻轮作体系研究提供参考。【方法】采用室内生物测定法及基质盆栽试验,以去离子水为对照（CK）,研究低（10 g/mL）、中（20 g/mL）和高（40 g/mL）3种质量浓度的老参地土壤水提液,对水稻种子萌发、幼苗生物量、根系活力、叶片可溶性蛋白和叶绿素合成、电导率及净光合速率的影响。【结果】与对照相比,不同质量浓度老参地土壤提取液处理后水稻种子萌发率、苗高及幼苗生物量均有不同程度的增加,其中随着老参地土壤提取液处理质量浓度的升高,水稻种子萌发率逐渐增加,中、高质量浓度处理与CK差异显著（P<0.05）。当老参地土壤提取液质量浓度为40 g/mL时,单株鲜、干质量最大,分别为14.22和1.66 mg。各质量浓度老参地土壤提取液处理对苗高影响不显著,却明显抑制了水稻幼根的生长。中、高质量浓度老参地土壤提取液处理均显著促进了幼苗叶片可溶性蛋白合成,低质量浓度老参地土壤提取液处理明显促进了根系活力的增加,而高质量浓度老参地土壤提取液处理则降低了根系活力;不同质量浓度老参地土壤提取液处理均显著降低了水稻叶片的叶绿素含量和绝对电导率;低、中质量浓度老参地土壤提取液处理下叶片净光合速率均有增加,而高质量浓度老参地土壤提取液处理则表现出微弱的抑制作用。【结论】老参地土壤水提取液对水稻早期萌发生长有一定的促进作用,且对部分生理指标（根系活力和净光合速率）表现为“低促高抑”的剂量相关性反应。     

黄土丘陵区土壤磷有效性与植物适应性研究

【目的】研究黄土丘陵区不同植被类型下土壤磷素有效性、植物叶片磷含量及土壤植物磷素营养关系,以期揭示植被恢复对土壤磷素的影响,明确植物群落对土壤磷素环境的适应性。【方法】以农地为对照,采集了黄土丘陵区125块样地中不同植物（包括草本植物茵陈蒿、长芒草、铁杆蒿及人工林柠条、沙棘、刺槐）的叶片及其生长的土地表层(0～20 cm)的土壤样品,测定了土壤全磷、有效磷、pH和叶片磷含量,分析了土壤与植物磷素营养特征以及土壤有效磷与叶片磷含量、土壤pH之间的相关性。【结果】研究区土壤有效磷含量极低(1.54 mg/kg),全磷含量较高。不同植被类型下土壤全磷含量差异不显著,但土壤有效磷含量差异显著,土壤有效磷含量由大到小依次为农地>茵陈蒿>沙棘、刺槐、柠条>长芒草、铁杆蒿,土壤pH在不同植被类型样地间差异不明显;不同植被类型叶片磷平均含量为1.43 mg/g,其中茵陈蒿和沙棘叶片磷含量较高,与其他植物差异显著 (P<0.05);不同植被类型(除沙棘外)样地土壤有效磷与叶片磷含量间相关性不显著。【结论】黄土丘陵区土壤有效磷含量和植物叶片磷含量均低于全球平均水平,且叶片磷含量与土壤有效磷含量之间无显著相关性;随着植被的恢复,土壤有效磷占全磷含量的比例升高,土壤磷素营养状况逐步得到改善,且人工林植被对土壤有效磷的改善作用优于退耕自然恢复草本植被;不同种类植物叶片磷含量不会随着土壤有效磷含量的变化发生较大的变动,人工林植被对土壤有效磷的需求高于退耕自然恢复的草本植被,在黄土丘陵区人工加速植被恢复过程中,可对人工林地适当增施磷肥。     

A systematic survey of loss-of-function variants in human protein-coding genes

Genome-sequencing studies indicate that all humans carry many genetic variants predicted to cause loss of function (LoF) of protein-coding genes, suggesting unexpected redundancy in the human genome. Here we apply stringent filters to 2951 putative LoF variants obtained from 185 human genomes to determine their true prevalence and properties. We estimate that human genomes typically contain ~100 genuine LoF variants with ~20 genes completely inactivated. We identify rare and likely deleterious LoF alleles, including 26 known and 21 predicted severe disease-causing variants, as well as common LoF variants in nonessential genes. We describe functional and evolutionary differences between LoF-tolerant and recessive disease genes and a method for using these differences to prioritize candidate genes found in clinical sequencing studies.