Morphological evidences for onion-induced growth inhibition of Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes

The antifungal activity of onion (Allium cepa L.) on two important dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, with special reference to morphological aspects was studied. Growth of both fungi was found to be strongly inhibited by aqueous onion extract (AOE) as a dose-dependent manner. The extract showed fungicidal effect for both fungi at concentrations >3.12% (v/v). The fungus T. mentagrophytes was more affected by the onion as compared to T. rubrum at all concentrations used. Morphological effects of onion exposure were examined in correlation with fungal growth. Corresponding to the growth inhibition, light and electron microscopy observations revealed morphological anomalies in hyphal compartments. The results demonstrated that AOE targets the cell membrane of the fungi as breaking down of both inner and outer membranes with consequent extrution of materials into the surrounding medium. Cytoplasmic membranes and other membranous structures of organelles, such as nuclei and mitochondria, were also disrupted. In correlation to the fungal growth, morphological alterations occurred to a less content for T. rubrum compared with T. mentagrophytes. The hyphae of T. rubrum were found to be mainly affected by converting to resistant forms, i.e., chlamidospores as a consequence of phenotype switching response to AOE. Plasmolysis accompanied by an almost complete depletion and disorganization of cytoplasmic structures were found to be the final event which led to cell death. Ultrastructural evidences obtained from this study strongly support that morphological changes of T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes caused by AOE are associated with its fungistatic and fungicidal activities. With respect to the morphological results and the preliminary data on fungal biochemistry, a mechanism of action by interacting of AOE with thiol (-SH) groups present in essential compartments of the fungal cells was postulated.     

Application of modal analysis by transfer function to nondestructive testing of wood II: modulus of elasticity evaluation of sections of differing quality in a wooden beam by the curvature of the flexural vibration wave

 The shape of the flexural vibration wave of wooden beams at the first mode was detected using the transfer function. The dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOE) of beam sections of differing quality was estimated from the ratio of the curvature of the wave shape in this section to that of a clear beam. The results were as follows: (1) If a section with a lower dynamic MOE was introduced into a clear wooden beam, the curvature of the wave shape in that section became higher. (2) The ratio of the MOE and the reciprocal of the curvature ratio were highly correlated. (3) The MOE of a defect could be estimated, and the position of the defect could be determined accurately by examining the curvature of the flexural vibration wave shapes. Received: March 22, 2002 / Accepted: May 15, 2002 Part of this report was presented at the 50th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kyoto, April 2000. This article is translated from the Japanese version, which was published in Mokuzai Gakkaishi 47(5), 2001 Correspondence to:Y. Ishimaru     

Decay Detection of Ancient Wood Rafters in Tibet by Stress Wave Testing Method

Visual classification and stress wave non-destructive testing technology were adopted to evaluate the decay status of ancient Populus wood members （rafters） replaced from the Potala Palace. The decay status of wood members was evaluated by stress wave testing and visual observation. For most of the ancient wood members, the evaluation results by two methods were consistent with each other. Also stress wave testing techniques can find the internal wood member decay to eliminate the hidden hazard for ancient wood members, and offer relatively accurate quantitative information for the safety status of ancient wood members. Thus during the maintaining for ancient architectures, visual observation combined with stress wave testing techniques is a good way to evaluate the degradation of ancient wood members.     

Comparison of chitosans with different molecular weights as possible wood preservatives

Fungi cause serious problems in wood utilization, and environmentally benign wood protection is required as an alternative to traditional chemicals. Chitosan has shown promising antimicrobial properties against several microorganisms. In this study, we present the characterization of and antifungal properties of a commercial chitosan formulation developed for impregnation of wood. A broad range of chemical and mycological methods were used to evaluate the uptake, fixation, and antifungal properties of chitosan for wood preservation. The results show that the higher the uptake of chitosan the lower the relative recovery of chitosan in wood after leaching, and the higher the molecular weight of chitosan the higher the recovery. Chitosan with high molecular weight proved to be more efficient against decay fungi than chitosan with low molecular weight. The fungi tested on chitosan-amended nutrient agar medium were totally inhibited at 1% (w/v) concentration. In decay studies using small wood blocks, 4.8% (w/v) chitosan concentration gave the best protection against brown rot fungi.     

Challenges of thermal nociceptive threshold testing in the donkey

ObjectiveTo evaluate a thermal nociceptive threshold (TNT) testing device in the donkey, and the influence of potential confounding factors on TNTs.AnimalsTwo groups (Group 1 and Group 2) of eight castrated male donkeys aged 4–9 years, weighing 105–170 kg.MethodsTNTs were measured by heating a thermal probe on skin until an end-point behaviour (threshold temperature) or a cut-out temperature (51 °C) was reached. The withers and the dorsal aspect of the distal limb were used as sites for TNT testing. The effects on TNT of different confounding factors: the limb tested; rate of heating; and ambient temperature were evaluated. Data were analyzed using general linear models, and Mann-Whitney tests, p < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsEnd-point behaviours (skin twitch or donkey looking at test device) when the thermal probe heated the withers were observed in approximately half of tests. TNT was (mean ± SD) 46.8 ± 2.85 °C. Subsequently the limb was evaluated as the test site in Group 1 followed by Group 2 donkeys; end-point behaviour being a foot-lift. In Group 1, 72% of tests ended in an end-point behaviour but the response rate was lower in Group 2 (20%), although TNTs were similar [(47.6 ± 3.3) and (47.3 ± 3.0) °C respectively] for responding animals. Rate of heating, ambient temperature and laterality (right or left) did not affect thresholds, but mean TNT was significantly higher in the forelimb (48.5 ± 2.8 °C) than the hind limb (47.4 ± 2.8 °C) (p = 0.012).ConclusionsWhen a thermal probe cut-out temperature of 51 °C was used in TNT testing in the donkey a high proportion of tests did not produce an identifiable end point behaviour. Higher cut-out temperatures damaged the skin. Under these conditions, thermal nociceptive threshold testing appears not be an appropriate analgesiometry technique in the donkey.Clinical relevanceTNT testing under these conditions is not suitable form of analgesiometry for donkeys.     

便携式豆类品质监控系统研究

传统的破坏性检测方法已难以满足豆类品质快速检测的需求。现有的无损检测设备存在稳定性及准确性不高等问题,为提高豆类品质含量检测装置的性能,基于近红外光谱技术研发了豆类品质无损检测装置,体积小、便于携带,能够适用于现场检测。基于所研发的装置,各取30个黄豆、绿豆、红豆、黑豆样本,通过旋转静态采集多次光谱求平均值与采集1次光谱的方式,对同一样品重复测量20次,得出随着采集次数的增加,光谱反射率变异系数平均值逐渐减小直至平缓,选取最佳豆类采集次数分别为16、8、14、16,对应的光谱变异系数平均值为2.9%、2.435%、2.763%、3.019%。以黄豆为例,选取80个样品,使用不同的预处理方法,分别建立黄豆蛋白质、粗脂肪和淀粉含量的偏最小二乘预测模型,结果表明,蛋白质、粗脂肪、淀粉质量分数预测的最优模型预处理方式分别为SG-MSC、SNV、SNV,其预测集相关系数R_p分别为0.974 6、0.950 5、0.960 7,均方根误差分别为0.249%、0.572%、0.623%。取40个黄豆样本对装置模型进行试验验证,蛋白质、粗脂肪、淀粉质量分数的独立验证相关系数R     

基于视触觉与深度学习的猕猴桃无损硬度检测方法

硬度是确定猕猴桃成熟度的重要指标之一,对其贮藏周期与销售节点均具有重要指导意义。针对现阶段缺乏使用简易、成本低且精度高的猕猴桃无损硬度检测方法的问题,提出了一种基于视触觉与深度学习的猕猴桃硬度检测方法,通过分析柔性触觉传感层与猕猴桃接触时的形变,获取猕猴桃的动态触觉信息,并据此推断其硬度。以树莓派开发板为机电控制平台,制作了猕猴桃视触觉序列图像采集装置,并对装置按压猕猴桃间隔3h后接触面果肉与非接触面果肉的CIELAB颜色分量平均数进行差异显著性检验,随后采集了猕猴桃视触觉序列图像数据集600组,分别搭建了CNN网络、CNN-LSTM迁移学习网络、CNN-LSTM联合学习网络对视触觉序列图像进行分析及硬度预测。研究结果表明,接触面果肉与非接触面果肉颜色L*、a*、b*三通道分量下平均值无显著差异;深度学习模型LSTM引入长时和短时信息可以动态关联CNN提取的单帧图像特征,从而有效推断猕猴桃硬度,其中CNN-LSTM联合学习模型预测效果最优,其均方根误差(RMSE)、平均绝对误差(MAE)、决定系数R2分别为 1.611N、1.360N、0.856,优于现阶段光谱技术检测猕猴桃硬度的结果,随后将模型嵌入树莓派中制作了猕猴桃硬度自动检测装置,可实现短时间内猕猴桃硬度的较为准确检测。因此,结合视触觉传感方法与联合学习模型可以实现对单个猕猴桃硬度的准确无损测量。     

In vitro sensitivity of the amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis to antifungal therapeutics

Chytridiomycosis, a skin disease caused by Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, has caused amphibian declines worldwide. Amphibians can be treated by percutaneous application of antimicrobials, but knowledge of in vitro susceptibility is lacking. Using a modified broth microdilution method, we describe the in vitro sensitivity of two Australian isolates of B. dendrobatidis to six antimicrobial agents. Growth inhibition was observed, by measurement of optical density, with all agents. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (µg/ml; isolate 1/2) were – voriconazole 0.016/0.008; itraconazole 0.032/0.016; terbinafine 0.063/0.063; fluconazole 0.31/0.31; chloramphenicol 12.5/12.5; amphotericin B 12.5/6.25. Killing effects on zoospores were assessed by observing motility. Amphotericin B and terbinafine killed zoospores within 5 and 30 min depending on concentration, but other antimicrobials were not effective at the highest concentrations tested (100 µg/ml). This knowledge will help in drug selection and treatment optimization. As terbinafine was potent and has rapid effects, study of its pharmacokinetics, safety and efficacy is recommended.     

Calorific values and ash contents of different parts of Masson pine trees in southern China

Calorific value of plants is an important parameter for evalu- ating and indexing material cycles and energy conversion in forest eco- systems. Based on mensuration data of 150 sample sets, we analyzed the calorific value （CV） and ash content （AC） of different parts of Masson pine （Pinus massoniana） trees in southern China using hypothesis testing and regression analysis. CV and AC of different tree parts were almost significantly different （P〈0.05）. In descending order, ash-free calorific value （AFCV） ranked as foliage 〉 branch 〉 stem bark 〉 root 〉 stem wood, and AC ranked as foliage 〉 stem bark 〉 root 〉 branch 〉 stem wood. CV and AC of stem wood from the top, middle and lower sections of trees differed significantly. CV increased from the top to the lower sections of the tnmk while AC decreased. Mean gross calorific value （GCV） and AFCV of aboveground parts were significantly higher than those of belowground parts （roots）. The mean GCV, AFCV and AC of a whole tree of Masson pine were 21.54 kJ/g, 21.74 kJ/g and 0.90%, re- spectively. CV and AC of different tree parts were, to some extent, cor- related with tree diameter, height and origin.     

Genetic variation and selection of introduced provenances of Siberian Pine （Pinus sibirica） in frigid regions of the Greater Xing’an Range,Northeast China

Siberian Pine （Pinus sibirica） is an ecologically and eco-nomically important species in pristine forests throughout northern Rus-sia. Four provenances of P. sibirica were introduced from Mongolia and Russia to the Greater Xing’an Range （the Daxing’anling）, northeast China in 1993. The aim of this research was to study genetic variation and selection of the introduced four Pinus sibirica provenances. Heights （H）, basal diameters （BD）, survival rates （SR） and crown lengths （CL） of different families were measured as primary outcomes in different growth years. Results of data analyses demonstrated high coefficients of phenotypic variation （PCV） and heritability （H2） for H, BD and CL at 18 years after introduction. PCV and H2 increased with age. Correlations of＆amp;nbsp;growth traits between any two growth years were all significantly positive, but the correlation coefficient was smaller when the growth year interval was larger. Correlations between H and the original environment factors decreased gradually, indicating that with long-term subsistence in the new environment, the influence of the source environment declined. Colligation of multiple traits to estimate provenances showed that Novosibirsk, Tomsk, and Altai Mountains had higher survival rates and biomass, and proved more suitable for introduction and plantation in the Greater Xing’an Range in China.