Food-borne human pathogenic viruses and their molecular detection with special consideration of noroviruses and hepatitis A virus in mussels

Viruses are increasingly important as etiological agents of gastrointestinal infections. Because of improved diagnostic methods, in particular, because of molecular biological techniques, viruses can be detected much more frequently as pathogens of foodborne diseases. Apart from the hepatitis A virus (HAV) the Norovirus (NLV) is becoming more significant. On an international level methods are developed to detect the amount of viruses which minimise PCR inhibitors and which are applicable in routine diagnostic. There are numerous routines available in the field of virus diagnostic in shellfish and oysters which are, however, not yet standardised and applicable in the whole of Europe. This review highlights viral agents their characteristics as well as food contaminated with viruses. While most of the detection methods are cited from the literature, own preliminary results of virus detection in mussels are discussed in addition.     

Generation of reactive oxygen species by a novel anthraquinone derivative in the cyanobacterium Planktothrix perornata (Skuja)

A water-soluble anthraquinone derivative (2-[methylamino-N-(1′-methylethyl)]-9,10-anthraquinone monophosphate), previously found to be selectively toxic towards Planktothrix perornata at submicromolar concentrations, was studied to determine its toxic mode of action towards this cyanobacterium. Chlorophyll fluorescence was monitored as an indicator of photosynthetic efficiency, and measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was performed using the ROS-sensitive probe 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. The effects of the herbicide paraquat (a ROS generator) as well as ascorbate and α-tocopherol (ROS scavengers) on ROS formation by P. perornata were studied. Also, the effects of different concentrations of ascorbate, α-tocopherol, and the herbicide diuron on reducing the toxicity of the water-soluble anthraquinone derivative towards P. perornata were determined. Our results indicate that the water-soluble anthraquinone derivative does not inhibit photosynthetic electron transport directly, but does generate ROS at levels that may cause toxicity towards P. perornata.     

洋葱染色体核型的FISH分析

 挑选洋葱(Allium cepa L．) (2n=2x=16，CC)有丝分裂中期细胞，以洋葱卫星DNA序列(AC—SAT-DNA)为探针，DIG-1 1-dUTP为标记物，用荧光原位杂交(FISH)方法观察其在染色体上的定位，并进行洋葱的核型分析。6号染色体为近端部着丝点染色体，在其长臂末端有一个卫星DNA序列的主要位点。其余每条染色体在其长、短臂的末端都各具有一个主要位点。差异表现在各染色体上卫星DNA序列的次要位点分布不同。根据洋葱8对染色体各自具有的独特的卫星DNA分布位点，可将洋葱8对染色体全部分开。以此为基础，构建了洋葱卫星DNA在染色体上分布的模式图。     

Quantitative analysis of earthworm burrow systems with respect to biological soil-structure regeneration after soil compaction

 On arable land, tilled with conventional tillage (CT) and conservation tillage (CS) respectively, plots were compacted by wheeling them 6 times with a 5 Mg wheel load in spring 1995. Immediately after compaction, undisturbed soil monoliths were excavated from the compacted and uncompacted plots. The monoliths were defaunated and inoculated with either Lumbricus terrestris or Aporrectodea caliginosa. One monolith from each plot remained uninoculated as a control. After 6 months the monoliths were defaunated again and then scanned with X-ray helical computed tomography. The data were transformed, the void systems inside the monoliths were reconstructed and visualised, and the parameters total void length, total void volume, tortuosity and continuity were quantified. The parameters' values were generally lower in the controls than in the inoculated monoliths. Differences in burrow construction could be explained by the different life strategies of the two earthworm species. Changes in burrow morphology due to tillage system and soil compaction were minor. Only the continuity of the burrow systems clearly changed: decreasing for L. terrestris and increasing for A. caliginosa. This can be explained by a change in the earthworms' burrowing activity to minimise energy expenditure in compacted soil. By extrapolating field data, we concluded that earthworms have great potential for biologically regenerating the soil structure after a single compaction event. Due to higher earthworm abundances in soil managed by CS the regeneration of the soil structure is assumed to be better in these plots than those tilled by CT. Received: 17 December 1997     

Off-flavors in pond-grown ictalurid catfish: Causes and management options

Ictalurid catfish grown in ponds often acquire undesirable off-flavors prior to harvest. Off-flavors develop when odorous, lipophilic substances in food or water are absorbed across gut or gill epithelium and concentrated in edible tissues. The most common causes of catfish off-flavors are two nontoxic secondary metabolites of planktonic cyanobacteria: geosmin (causing an earthy off-flavor) and 2-methylisoborneol (causing a musty off-flavor). Off-flavored fish are unacceptable for processing, and harvest must be postponed until the source of the odorous compound disappears and the compound purges from edible fish tissue. Harvest delays caused by episodes of off-flavor increase production time, interrupt cash flow, and increase the risk of fish loss. Catfish farmers consider off-flavor to be one of their most important production-related problems. This paper reviews the causes of off-flavor in catfish, pharmacokinetics of uptake and loss of odorous compounds in catfish, seasonality and prevalence of off-flavors, farm- and industry-level impacts, the ecology of cyanobacteria in catfish ponds, and various strategies for preventing or treating cyanobacterial (and other) off-flavors. A decision-making system based on knowledge gained from research is presented as a guide to effective use of the limited tools available to manage off-flavors.     

中国蒙药资源可持续利用现状和对策

蒙药是蒙医师用于防治疾病的药物,是蒙医药事业发展的物质基础。蒙医药事业的可持续发展必须保障药材的质量和供应。随着蒙药资源使用量的增加和蕴藏量的减少,蒙药资源的可持续利用显得越来越重要。因此,一定要重视蒙药资源的可持续利用研究。文章着重介绍了蒙药资源可持续利用情况。     

Longterm effects of soil compaction and tillage on Collembola and straw decomposition in arable soil

Soil core samples were taken from May 1996 to October 1996 at four week intervals to assess the longterm effects of compaction due to soil tillage on Collembola in arable land. Two different tillage systems were studied: conservation tillage (CS) with rotary harrowing to 120 mm depth and conventional tillage (CT) with a mould board plough to 300 mm depth. Soil compaction was achieved by wheeling with graded loads: 0t, 2 × 2.5t and 6 × 5.0t (wheeling frequency × wheel load) in early spring 1995. Litter decomposition rate was investigated by the minicontainer-method, using two different mesh-sizes: 20 μm (excluding mesofauna) and 500 μ (including mesofauna). The substrate used was winter wheat straw, corresponding to the crop cultivated on the field.We recorded 25 species of Collembola. The abundance of Collembola during the growing season was at a minimum in June in both tillage systems. Thereafter, numbers of individuals increased, probably due to better nutrition. Mesaphorura krausbaueri s.l. was eudominant in CS. In CT Folsomia fimetaria and M. krausbaueri s.l. reached high abundances at the end of August. Harvesting and tilling supported population growth in CS, while numbers in CT decreased. The collembolan species showed different preferences in regard to the tillage system and the grade of compaction. During the first 4 weeks of exposure the decomposition rate of straw was highest. The decomposition rate in the minicontainers with 20 μm mesh-size was higher due to better moisture conditions for the microorganisms. After harvest and tilling the decomposition rate increased, especially in the CS-plots, because of aeration and incorporation of residues. Population fluctuation in the minicontainers was caused by migration of Collembola in response to changing moisture conditions. The main species in the minicontainers were large and mobile. Compared to the surrounding soil, species diversity was reduced.     

嘎拉苹果高温处理与果实日灼的关系

 高温处理对诱导果实增强对日灼的抗性有一定的作用 ,可降低日灼率。苹果果实在 4 5℃下处理 2h ,在3d后将处理果和对照果同时暴露在阳光下 ,结果发现 :热处理能够在一定程度上增强果实对日灼的抗性。在 4 5℃下处理 2、4和 6h后立即取样或室温下放置 2 4h后取样 ,对热激蛋白的分析表明 ,大分子量热激蛋白量变化不大 ,而小分子量热激蛋白可能在诱导果实抗热性方面起重要作用。随着处理时间延长 ,在一定时间范围内 ,热激蛋白抗热性水平增加。经测定 ,树冠外围充分曝光果和树冠内膛遮荫果对比 ,二者热激蛋白含量有显著差异 ,这可能是遮荫果对日灼更为敏感的原因。     

Equatorial X-ray Emissions: Implications for Jupiter's High Exospheric Temperatures

Observations with the High Resolution Imager on the Rontgensatellit reveal x-ray emissions from Jupiter's equatorial latitudes. The observed emissions probably result from the precipitation of energetic (>300 kiloelectron volts per atomic mass unit) sulfur and oxygen ions out of Jupiter's inner radiation belt. Model calculations of the energy deposition by such heavy ion precipitation and of the resulting atmospheric heating rates indicate that this energy source can contribute to the high exospheric temperatures(>800 kelvin at 0.01 microbar) measured by the Galileo probe's Atmospheric Structure Instrument. Low-latitude energetic particle precipitation must therefore be considered, in addition to other proposed mechanisms such as gravity waves and soft electron precipitation, as an important source of heat for Jupiter's thermosphere.     

苹果套纸罩对防止果实日灼的效应

试验结果表明，“嘎拉”和“乔纳金”树冠外围果实套纸罩可减弱果实受光强度2／3左右，生长季晴天果实日表面最高温度降低7℃以上，果实日灼率由45％左右降为7％～11％左右。苹果果实日灼易发区在其树冠西南面应适当多留内膛果和半遮荫果，外围裸露果则可套纸罩保护，时间以5月中下旬进行为宜。