Purification and characterization of two antifungal chitinases extracellularly produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens V656 in a shrimp and crab shell powder medium

A Gram-positive bacterium with antagonistic activity was isolated from the soil. It has been identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain V656 on the basis of 16S ribosomal DNA analysis and standard bacteriological tests. B. amyloliquefaciens V656 produced antifungal enzymes when it was grown in a medium containing shrimp and crab shell powder (SCSP) of marine waste. The antifungal enzymes displayed chitinase activities. Two extracellular antifungal chitinases (FI and FII) were purified and characterized, and their molecular weights, isoelectric points, pH and thermal stabilities, and antifungal activities were determined. The characteristics of V656 chitinases are similar to those of the known bacterial chitinases in terms of their isoelectric points, thermal instabilities, and lack of lysozyme activity. In contrast to other known bacterial chitinases, the unique characteristics of V656 chitinases include extremely low molecular weights and nearly neutral optimum pH. Furthermore, this is the first report of the isolation of chitinases from B. amyloliquefaciens that are active against fungi.     

Modeling driving forces of avian diversity in a spatial configuration surrounded by farm ponds

Farm ponds provide a home for birds and numerous species of aquatic animals in Taoyuan, Taiwan. Urbanization and development of infrastructure resulted in the gradual disappearance of these ponds. Currently, only 3800 ponds originally approximately 15.4 % remain, and 84.6 % of the surface area of the ponds has vanished. Aiming to protect avian diversity, this study used logistic regression analysis and the geostatistical approach to analyze the relationship between avian diversity and landscape structure, in an effort to elucidate the spatial driving force of avian diversity. We detected that regression-kriging (RK) was even more accurate than logistic regression (LR). In addition, the value of diversity (H′) measures may decrease instead of increase when evenness (J′) is increased. The results of this study also indicated that an exceedingly strong relationship existed among avian diversity and landscape scale, agricultural landscape indices, and pond landscape indices. The models predict that preservation of large areas of waterscapes and paddy landscapes result in greater diversity of avian species. Spatial estimation of the research area indicated that human activity substantially affected avian ecology, leading to reductions in avian diversity. Thus, the reduction of the area of ecological corridors due to urban development is expected to further reduce avian diversity in the Taoyuan region. Our approach can be used to effectively analyze the correlations between characteristics of ecosystems and the environmental landscape, to ensure that pondscapes can be appropriately maintained and ecological reserves designated to prevent further decline in avian diversity.     

A method for estimating the loss in tuber yield caused by late blight of potato

A method was developed for estimating tuber yield losses caused by late blight of potato (Phytophthora infestans) (Mont.) de Bary. The method is based on yield and disease data collected for the varieties Green Mountain and Katahdin grown in eastern Canada during the period 1953–1970. The percentage yield loss can be calculated for any disease progress curve. The estimated loss was within 5% of the actual loss in nine cases out of ten.     

How to perform combined cutting balloon and high pressure balloon valvuloplasty for dogs with subaortic stenosis

Subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS) is one of the most common congenital cardiac malformations in dogs. Unfortunately, the long term success rate and survival data following either open heart surgery or catheter based intervention has been disappointing in dogs with severe subaortic stenosis. Medical therapy is currently the only standard recommended treatment option. A cutting balloon dilation catheter has been used successfully for resistant coronary artery and peripheral pulmonary arterial stenoses in humans. This catheter is unique in that it has the ability to cut, or score, the stenotic region prior to balloon dilatation of the stenosis. The use of cutting balloon valvuloplasty combined with high pressure valvuloplasty for dogs with severe subaortic stenosis has recently been reported to be a safe and feasible alternative therapeutic option. The following report describes this technique, outlines the materials required, and provides some ‘tips’ for successful percutaneous subaortic balloon valvuloplasty.     

Effects of chemical and organic fertilizers on the growth,flower quality and nutrient uptake of Anthurium andreanum, cultivated for cut flower production

Sustainable agriculture has become a concern, due to the pressures of the “energy crisis” and issues of “environmental protection”. The use of organic fertilizer made from agricultural waste regenerates natural resources and reduces the consumption of fossil energy as well as phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) deposits. There is scant information available concerning the use of organic fertilizer as the sole source of nutrients in flower production, especially in the cultivation of flowers in a soilless condition. The objective of this study was to develop an organic fertilization management system to replace the chemical fertilization management of the cut flower production of Anthurium andreanum Lind. cultivated under soilless conditions. Four fertilization treatments were carried out consisting of two chemical fertilizers [controlled release fertilizer (CRF) and a chemical nutrient solution (CNS)], and two organic fertilizers [pea and rice hull compost (PRHC) and cattle dung with tea leaf residue compost (CDTC)]. The effects of the various fertilizations on A. andreanum were evaluated based on plant growth, nutrient uptake, and cut flower quality during the 1-year experimental period. The results show that the growth, yield, and cut flower quality of plants receiving PRHC were the same as those receiving CNS and CRF, indicating that PRHC can substitute for CRF and CNS as a nutrient source for cut flower production of A. andreanum cultivated in soilless condition. The plants that received the CNS and PRHC treatments had a significantly increased leaf number and new leaf growth area than those that received the CRF and CDTC treatments. The plants receiving the CDTC showed the lowest increase in leaf area and number of flowers. The retardant growth of plants treated with CDTC has been explained as being due to less carbon (C) being assimilated, most likely as the result of an insufficient supply of nitrogen (N) and manganese (Mn) toxicity. The petiole and peduncle length of the plants receiving the CRF were the shortest, which might be due to the low level of potassium (K) accompanying the magnesium (Mg) deficiency. Even though there were significant differences in the N and K concentrations of the plants among the different treatments, no significant differences were observed in the cut flower quality. In short, the organic fertilizer PRHC can meet the nutrient requirements of A. andreanum cultivation for the cut flower production under soilless conditions.     

灵武长枣采后病原菌的分离及天然抗菌物质的筛选

以宁夏灵武所产灵武长枣为材料,分离并鉴定贮藏过程中引起腐烂病害的主要病原真菌,同时采用滤纸片扩散法,用22种植物提取液对病原菌进行抑菌试验,以筛选对病原菌有抑制作用的天然物质。结果表明,从贮藏中的灵武长枣上分离、鉴定出微孢毛霉(Mucor microsporus Namysl)、粉红聚端孢(Trichoderma roseum(Pers.)Link)、青霉属(Penicillium sp.)和链格孢(Alternaria alternata(Fr.)Keissl)4种病原真菌。对微孢毛霉有抑制作用的提取液有25 g/L的连翘乙醇提取液、50 g/L的高良姜水提取液5、0 g/L的大黄水提取液和100 g/L的桑叶水提取液;对粉红聚端孢有抑制作用的有12.5 g/L丁香乙醇提取液、50 g/L高良姜水提取液和100 g/L百部乙醇提取液;对青霉属有抑制作用的有6.25 g/L丁香乙醇提取液、25 g/L连翘乙醇提取液5、0 g/L按叶乙醇提取液和100 g/L广霍香水提取液;对链格孢菌有抑制作用的有50 g/L连翘乙醇提取液和100 g/L黄连水提取液。     

北京瓜类花叶病毒的调查研究

北京郊区南瓜、西葫芦花叶病是由甜瓜花叶病毒类型所致。黄瓜、参瓜、丝瓜的花叶病都是由黄瓜花叶病毒类型所引起;黄瓜花叶病毒除为害瓜类作物外,还广泛分布在郊区其他栽培作物和野生植物上。根据 CMV 各分离物在冬瓜、南瓜、蔓陀罗,心叶菸,菸上的病状反应,建议将 CMV 分离物区分为八个毒株。来自南瓜并侵染西瓜的一个甜瓜花叶病毒分离物在侵染丝瓜后不能用汁接侵染荀瓜。     

Comparison between analgesic effects of buprenorphine, carprofen, and buprenorphine with carprofen for canine ovariohysterectomy

OBJECTIVE: To compare the analgesic effects of buprenorphine, carprofen, and their combination in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized blinded clinical study. ANIMALS: 60 dogs. METHODS: Treatments were buprenorphine 0.02 mg kg(-1), intramuscularly (IM) (group B); carprofen 4 mg kg(-1), subcutaneously (SC) (group C); or a combination of both (group CB). Anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane. A Dynamic Interactive Visual Analog Scale (DIVAS, 0-100 mm) and the Glasgow Composite Pain Scale (GCMPS, 0-24) were used to evaluate comfort and sedation at baseline, 2, 4, 6, and 24 hours after extubation. Rescue analgesia was provided with buprenorphine (0.02 mg kg(-1)). Wound swelling measurements (WM) and a visual inflammation score (VIS) of the incision were made after surgery and 2, 4, 6, and 24 hours later. p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Group C required more propofol (5.0 +/- 1.4 mg kg(-1)) compared with B (3.3 +/- 1.1 mg kg(-1)) and CB (3.2 +/- 0.7 mg kg(-1)); respectively, p = 0.0002 and 0.0001. Rescue analgesia was required in nine dogs. B had a higher GCMPS and DIVAS III score at 6 hours (2.6 +/- 2.5) and (23 +/- 22.5 mm) compared with C (1.0 +/- 1.3, 6 +/- 7.3 mm) and CB (1.5 +/- 1.4, 8 +/- 10.7 mm); respectively, p = 0.02 and 0.006. Group C had a lower sedation score at 2 hours (43 +/- 23.6 mm) compared with B (68 +/- 32.1 mm) and BC (69 +/- 22.1 mm); respectively, p = 0.03 and 0.004. Group B had a higher WM score at 2 hours (3 +/- 0.8 mm) compared with C (2 +/- 0.6 mm) p = 0.01 and at 6 hours (3 +/- 1 mm) compared with C (2 +/- 0.8 mm) and CB (2 +/- 0.8 mm); respectively, p = 0.01 and 0.008. VIS was not different between groups. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: All treatments provided satisfactory analgesia for the first 6 hours and at 24 hours. C and CB pain score and WS were superior to B at 6 hours. No superior analgesic effect was noted when the drugs were combined.