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.     

Electromechanical effects of acetylcholine on the atrial tissues of the cultured tilapia (Oreochromis nilotica × O. aureus)

The effects of acetylcholine (ACh) on the action potential and twitch force of atrial tissues isolated from 15 tilapia (Oreochromis nilotica × O. aureus) were studied by means of conventional microelectrode techniques. In isolated whole atrium or sinoatrial tissue, scattered pacemaker-like cells with spontaneous diastolic depolarization were found mainly near the sinoatrial junction but also occasionally throughout the atrial wall. However, most of the atrial cells recorded were myocardial fibers as judged by a stable diastolic potential and a markedly reduced action potential duration (APD) in response to low concentrations of ACh (0.1–1 M). The shortening in APD in atrial myocardial fibers was correlated with a significant fall in twitch force in the atrial preparations. ACh at high concentrations (10–300 M) decreased moderately the APD and the slope of diastolic depolarization of the pacemakers and prolonged the spontaneous cycle length but did not induce hyperpolarization. The negative chronotropic action of ACh was competitively inhibited by atropine, a muscarinic antagonist. The means (± SEM) negative logarithm of the dissociation constant (pK_b or pA₂ value) for atropine against the ACh action on muscarinic receptors were 9.10 (± 0.13) (n = 6), similar to those values obtained in mammalian atria. The present findings indicate that while the negative inotropic effects of ACh in tilapia atria are comparable to those observed in mammalian hearts, unique electrophysiological responses to ACh exist in different types of tilapia atrial cells.     

Marine Low Molecular Weight Natural Products as Potential Cancer Preventive Compounds

Due to taxonomic positions and special living environments, marine organisms produce secondary metabolites that possess unique structures and biological activities. This review is devoted to recently isolated and/or earlier described marine compounds with potential or established cancer preventive activities, their biological sources, molecular mechanisms of their action, and their associations with human health and nutrition. The review covers literature published in 2003–2013 years and focuses on findings of the last 2 years.     

神农香菊化学成分及药理作用研究进展

介绍了神农香菊主要化学成分的研究成果,比较了花、茎、全草和叶等不同组织中主要活性成分的异同,并综述了其抑菌能力、抗氧化能力以及药用价值的最新研究进展。     

植物病原效应蛋白功能研究方法

植株病原会分泌一些与植物相互作用的效应蛋白,这些蛋白在病原菌与寄主植物互作过程中起着重要作用。结合几种细菌、真菌分泌的效应蛋白研究进展,介绍了用于病原菌效应蛋白研究的试验方法及其独特之处,包括图位克隆、异源表达分析等,提出研究一个单一效应蛋白需要多种分析方法。     

把握《纲要》特点 确保食物安全

国务院办公厅新发布的《中国食物与营养发展纲要(2014—2020年)》,是一个具有民本性、科学性、宏观性、创新性和食安性的纲领性文件。在新形势下,要全面把握新《纲要》的"五性"特点,确保中国食物安全,推动食物与营养健康发展。     

枯草芽孢杆菌CN620菌株制剂对板栗烂果病的防治及病原的抑制作用初报

从板栗树体上分离得到枯草芽孢杆菌 [Bacillussubtilis(Ehrenberg)Cohn]CN62 0菌株。室内测定其菌株制剂对Glomerellasp .、Alternariaalternata、Trichotheciumroseum、Pestalotiasp .和Fusariumsp .5种板栗烂果病主要病原的抑制作用均为 1 0 0 % ,而CN62 0菌株 50倍培养液 ,对上述 5种病菌的抑制效果为 86.5%～ 96.6%。其抑菌机理主要是使病菌孢子和菌丝畸变 ,细胞壁溶解 ,原生质泄漏。 1 997年和 1 998年连续两年两点对板栗烂果病进行小区防治试验的防治效果分别为 87.7%和 87.6% ,明显高于化学农药处理的 30 .4 %和 31 .7%的效果     

基于师范类高校学生阅读行为调查的思考——以天津师大和上海师大为例

从调查上海师大与天津师大本科学生阅读动机出发,分析师范类高校学生阅读需求的价值取向以及阅读需求的特点,并探讨由此引发的师范类高校图书馆馆藏建设的困惑,即如何合理分配专业文献和文化素养类文献在馆藏结构中的比例。     

吐温-80对紫露草微核的诱变检测

利用紫露草微核技术，对吐温-80（Tween-80）进行了诱变检测，结果表明，当吐温-80浓度达5％及以上时．对植物细胞才有明显的资变效应。在5％以下时，微核率与阳性对照之间无显著意义。     

植物生长抑制剂在草坪上的应用研究进展

综述了植物生长抑制剂对草坪草生长发育和生理特性的影响。并且指出 ,植物生长抑制剂可有效降低草坪草株、减少修剪次数、提高草坪草的抗逆性 ,从而降低管理费用