Anti-Mycobacterial Nucleoside Antibiotics from a Marine-Derived Streptomyces sp. TPU1236A

Five new nucleoside antibiotics, named streptcytosines A–E (1–5), and six known compounds, de-amosaminyl-cytosamine (6), plicacetin (7), bamicetin (8), amicetin (9), collismycin B (10), and SF2738 C (11), were isolated from a culture broth of Streptomyces sp. TPU1236A collected in Okinawa, Japan. The structures of new compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic data (HRFABMS, IR, UV, and 2D NMR experiments including ¹H-¹H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY spectra). Streptcytosine A (1) belonged to the amicetin group antibiotics, and streptcytosines B–E (2–5) were derivatives of de-amosaminyl-cytosamine (6), 2,3,6-trideoxyglucopyranosyl cytosine. Compound 1 inhibited the growth of Mycobacterium smegmatis (MIC = 32 µg/mL), while compounds 2–5 were not active at 50 µg/disc. Bamicetin (8) and amicetin (9) showed the MICs of 16 and 8 µg/mL, respectively.     

Anti-Inflammatory Activity and Mechanism of a Lipid Extract from Hard-Shelled Mussel (Mytilus Coruscus) on Chronic Arthritis in Rats

The present study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity and mechanism of a lipid extract from hard-shelled mussel (Mytilus coruscus) on adjuvant-induced (AIA) and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats. AIA and CIA rats that received hard-shelled mussel lipid extract (HMLE group) at a dose of 100 mg/kg demonstrated significantly lower paw swelling and arthritic index, but higher body weight gain than those which received olive oil (control group). Similar results were found in arthritic rats that received New Zealand green-lipped mussel lipid extract (GMLE) at the same dosage. The levels of leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), thromboxane B₂ (TXB₂) in the serum, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, interferon-γ (INF-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the ankle joint synovial fluids of HMLE group rats were significantly lower than those of control group. However, the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in HMLE group rats were significantly higher than those in the control group. Decreased mRNA expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) and MMP13, but increased tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) were observed in the knee joint synovium tissues of HMLE group rats when compared with the control group. No hepatotoxicity was observed in both HMLE and GMLE group rats. The present results indicated that HMLE had a similarly strong anti-inflammatory activity as GMLE. Such a strong efficacy could result from the suppression of inflammatory mediators (LTB₄, PGE₂, TXB₂), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, INF-γ, TNF-α) and MMPs (MMP1, MMP13), and the promotion of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) and TIMPs (TIMP1) productions.     

Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant Effects of Diterpenes Isolated from the Marine Alga,Dictyota menstrualis

Cardiovascular diseases represent a major cause of disability and death worldwide. Therapeutics are available, but they often have unsatisfactory results and may produce side effects. Alternative treatments based on the use of natural products have been extensively investigated, because of their low toxicity and side effects. Marine organisms are prime candidates for such products, as they are sources of numerous and complex substances with ecological and pharmacological effects. In this work, we investigated, through in vitro experiments, the effects of three diterpenes (pachydictyol A, isopachydictyol A and dichotomanol) from the Brazilian marine alga, Dictyota menstrualis, on platelet aggregation and plasma coagulation. Results showed that dichotomanol inhibited ADP- or collagen-induced aggregation of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), but failed to inhibit washed platelets (WP). In contrast, pachydictyol A and isopachydictyol A failed to inhibit the aggregation of PRP, but inhibited WP aggregation induced by collagen or thrombin. These diterpenes also inhibited coagulation analyzed by the prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time and on commercial fibrinogen. Moreover, diterpenes inhibited the catalytic activity of thrombin. Theoretical studies using the Osiris Property Explorer software showed that diterpenes have low theoretical toxicity profiles and a drug-score similar to commercial anticoagulant drugs. In conclusion, these diterpenes are promising candidates for use in anticoagulant therapy, and this study also highlights the biotechnological potential of oceans and the importance of bioprospecting to develop medicines.     

Eunicellin-Based Diterpenoids,Hirsutalins N–R,from the Formosan Soft Coral Cladiella hirsuta

New eunicellin-type hirsutalins N–R (1–5), along with two known eunicellins, (6 and 7) were isolated from the soft coral Cladiella hirsuta. The structures of the metabolites were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Cytotoxic activity of compounds 1–7 against the proliferation of a limited panel of cancer cell lines was measured. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of compounds 1–7 was evaluated by measuring their ability in suppressing superoxide anion generation and elastase release in fMLP/CB-induced human neutrophils.     

Quorum Quenching Agents: Resources for Antivirulence Therapy

The continuing emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens is a concern to human health and highlights the urgent need for the development of alternative therapeutic strategies. Quorum sensing (QS) regulates virulence in many bacterial pathogens, and thus, is a promising target for antivirulence therapy which may inhibit virulence instead of cell growth and division. This means that there is little selective pressure for the evolution of resistance. Many natural quorum quenching (QQ) agents have been identified. Moreover, it has been shown that many microorganisms are capable of producing small molecular QS inhibitors and/or macromolecular QQ enzymes, which could be regarded as a strategy for bacteria to gain benefits in competitive environments. More than 30 species of marine QQ bacteria have been identified thus far, but only a few of them have been intensively studied. Recent studies indicate that an enormous number of QQ microorganisms are undiscovered in the highly diverse marine environments, and these marine microorganism-derived QQ agents may be valuable resources for antivirulence therapy.     

谷特菌对青稞生长及土壤生态效应的影响

为了解生物肥对西藏青稞生长的影响,开展了谷特菌不同施用时期(播前、青稞拔节期),不同施用量对青稞产量影响的试验,供试生物肥为谷特菌,供试青稞品种为春青稞藏青320。在青稞收获期采样分析了青稞生物产量和经济产量,同时采集土样分析了土壤蔗糖酶、微生物量N等指标。结果表明:(1)施用谷特菌促进青稞分蘖,增加成穗数,在拔节期施用还能提高青稞灌浆能力,增加青稞穗粒数,提高青稞产量;(2)施用谷特菌对土壤0~10 cm土层蔗糖酶活性影响大,表现为土壤蔗糖酶活性随谷特菌施用量增加而增强,当施用量相同时,拔节期施用谷特菌导致土壤蔗糖酶活性增强,但对土壤微生物量N影响无统一规律。     

不同改良措施对第四纪红壤酶活性的影响

红壤是我国重要的土壤类型之一,其耕地地力低下问题亟待解决。探究不同改良措施影响下红壤地力提升效果,对实现中低产田可持续利用具有重要意义。本研究以湖南第四纪红黏土发育的旱地红壤为研究对象,分析了休闲（F）、不施肥（CK）、单施无机肥（NPK）、无机肥配秸秆还田（NPKS）、无机肥配施生石灰（NPKL）、无机肥配施骨粉有机肥（NPKA）和无机肥配施生物有机肥（NPKC）等改良措施下不同土层和改良年限土壤中pH及养分含量的变化,并利用微孔板荧光法比较了土壤中碳氮磷循环相关酶活性的差异。结果表明,不同改良措施显著影响土壤养分及酶活性。与CK相比,2020年NPKC处理0～20 cm土层中有机质（SOM）、全氮（TN）、全磷（TP）和有效磷（AP）含量分别提高了73%、29%、61%和1 847%,同时该处理也显著增加了参与碳循环α-1,4-葡糖苷酶（αG）、β-1,4-葡糖苷酶（βG）、β-1,4-木糖苷酶（βX）、纤维二糖水解酶（CBH）和参与氮循环β-1,4-N-乙酰基氨基葡萄糖酐酶（NAG）活性。相关分析表明,SOM与αG、βG、βX、CBH和NAG酶活性呈显著正相关（P < 0.01）,pH与酸性磷酸酶（ACP）活性呈显著负相关（P < 0.01）。改良措施对0～20 cm土层酶活性的影响大于20～40 cm。2019年,NPKA处理0～20 cm土层中CBH酶活性较CK提高了352%,而在20～40 cm土层中CBH酶活性仅较CK提高了2%。此外,不同改良措施土壤中ACP酶活性也呈现出随改良年限增加而增加的趋势。综上可知,无机肥配施有机物料显著提升红壤养分状况,改善土壤酶活性,可作为贫瘠红壤地力提升的有效改良措施。     

Effect of indaziflam on microbial activity and nitrogen cycling processes in an orchard soil

Indaziflam is a preemergent herbicide widely used for the control of weeds in pecan (Carya illinoinensis) orchards in the southwestern region of the United States. Given the paucity of data regarding the effect of indaziflam on the biochemical properties of soils supporting pecan production, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different application rates of indaziflam on soil microbial activity, diversity, and biochemical processes related to nitrogen (N) cycling. During two consecutive growing seasons (2015 and 2016), soil samples were obtained from experimental mesocosms consisting of soil-filled pots where pecan saplings were grown and treated with indaziflam applied at two different rates (25 and 50 g active ingredient (ai) ha^-1, with the higher rate being slightly lower than the recommended field application rate of 73.1 g ai ha^-1). Soil samples were collected approximately one week before and one week after herbicide application for determination of soil microbial biomass and diversity, N mineralization, and β-glucosaminidase activity. Soil samples collected from the control mesocosms without herbicide application were treated in the laboratory with two rates of indaziflam (75 and 150 g ai ha^-1) to determine the immediate effect on microbial activity. No significant effect of herbicide treatment on soil respiration and microbial biomass was detected. The results showed a slight to moderate decrease in microbial diversity (7% in 2015 and 44% in 2016). However, decreased β-glucosaminidase activity with herbicide treatment was observed in soils from the mesocosms (33%) and soils treated with indaziflam in the laboratory (45%). The mineral N pool was generally dominated by ammonium after indaziflam application, which was consistent with the drastic decrease (75%) in nitrification activity measured in the laboratory experiment. The results of this study indicate that indaziflam, even when applied at higher than recommended rates, has limited effects on soil microbial activity, but may affect N cycling processes.     

添加秸秆对水稻产量和土壤碳氮及微生物群落的影响

为探究添加秸秆对黄筋泥田水稻产量和土壤碳、氮含量和微生物学特性的影响,设计了5个处理,即不添加秸秆和生物炭（CK）、添加秸秆（ST）、添加秸秆和腐熟剂1号（SB1）、添加秸秆和腐熟剂2号（SB2）和添加秸秆生物炭（SC）的水稻盆栽试验,分析水稻产量和土壤全碳、全氮、腐殖质含量和磷脂脂肪酸含量。结果表明：与CK相比,ST、SB1、SB2和SC均能提高水稻产量（P<0.05）,其中SB2增产55.73%;ST、SB1、SB2和SC也提高土壤全碳、全氮、腐殖质含量、细菌磷脂脂肪酸含量、真菌磷脂脂肪酸含量和总磷脂脂肪酸含量（P<0.05）,其中SC土壤全碳提高31.36%,SB2土壤全氮提高40%,SB1腐殖质含量增加50.01%,而SB1和SB2的细菌磷脂脂肪酸含量、真菌磷脂脂肪酸含量和总磷脂脂肪酸含量增加86.49%～401.59%。因此,添加秸秆可以增加水稻产量,提高土壤全碳、全氮和腐殖质的含量,改善土壤微生物群落结构。     

黄土丘陵区垂直陡壁表面不同类型生物土壤结皮养分与微生物养分限制特征

生物土壤结皮的发育类型对土壤养分和微生物代谢起着重要作用。为进一步明确在生物结皮发育过程中微生物的限制性养分与影响因素,研究选择黄土丘陵区垂直陡壁表面上的裸土(CK)、浅色藻结皮(LA)、深色藻结皮(DA)、藻藓混合结皮(AM)和藓结皮(M)为研究对象,分析了不同生物土壤结皮类型下碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)养分状况与胞外酶活性,并通过胞外酶化学计量来量化微生物的代谢限制。结果表明:LA,DA,AM和M这4种类型生物土壤结皮C,N,P养分含量和微生物生物量C,N,P均显著高于CK(p<0.05),并且SOC,TN,TP和微生物生物量C,N,P随CK,LA,DA,AM和M的顺序逐渐增大,藓结皮微生物量C,N,P分别是CK处理的18.3,27.6,14.1倍。生物土壤结皮的发育显著提高了C,N,P循环酶的活性,冗余分析结果表明土壤养分与酶活性密切相关。此外,通过酶计量的矢量模型结果来看,生物土壤结皮的发育造成微生物相对碳限制的增大与相对磷限制的减小,并受到速效养分含量的影响。偏最小二乘路径模型结果也表明生物土壤结皮的类型会间接影响微生物的代谢限制。总的来说,生物土壤结皮类型的变化会改善土壤养分状况与微生物量等性质,养分资源的供应状况会造成微生物养分代谢的变化。