Substrate depletion during formation of aflatoxin and kojic acid on corn inoculated with Aspergillus flavus

During a period of 8 years 300 cases of dermatophytoses involving both hairy areas and the glabrous skin were found to be caused by M. canis. There was scalp involvement in 60%, including 8 infants and 27 adults; most of the adults presented Kerion-like lesions and presented various clinical aspects such as seborrhea capitis, folliculitis and discois lupus erythematosus. In the 21 patients showing invasion of the beard the clinical manifestations included superficial erythematosquamous patches with hyperemic slightly elevated margins, folliculitis or abscess-like lesions and Kerion-like lesions. Among the lesions found on the glabrous skin there were unusual aspects of tinea faciei in 19 adults, mimicking lymphocytic infiltration, granuloma faciale or discoid lupus erythematosus. Some of the cases of tinea corporis found in 70 patients also had lesions simulating various other dermatological entities, including erythema multiforme, psoriasiform eruption, pityriasis rosea and seborrheic dermatitis. The hands were invaded in 5 adults patients, with involvement of the finger nails in one. Repeated mycologic examinations were necessary to establish the true etiology in many of these cases.     

Impact of UV-B radiation on Clonostachys rosea germination and growth

Sensitivity to UV-B radiation is one of the main limitations of biological control of plant pathogens in the field. The effect of UV-B radiation on germination and leaf tissue colonization by the biological control agent Clonostachys rosea was evaluated. There were variations among C. rosea strains in sensitivity to UV-B radiation. The most tolerant strain (LQC62) had relative germination of about 60?% after irradiation of 4.2?kJ?m(-2). The deleterious effects of UV-B radiation on C. rosea colonization were overcome by higher conidial concentration. In addition, the tolerance of C. rosea conidia was higher when irradiated over leaf disks compared to agar media, and this is very important information to determine the dose and spray strategies for applying C. rosea in the field.     

Contribution to the study of dermatomycosis in Catalonia

We report the results of a study which aim was the mycological identification of specimens coming from patients included in a clinical trial. A total of 445 specimens from patients with clinical diagnosis of dermatomicosis were processed during 8 months (138 pityriasis versicolor, 28 cutaneous candidosis and 279 dermatophytosis). A 48% of pityriasis versicolor cultures were positive for Malassezia furfur, 50% of candidosis cultures were positive for yeasts and 67% of dermatophytosis cultures were positive for dermatophytes. According to our results Candida albicans was the principal causative agent for cutaneous candidosis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum were the most frequent isolated species causing dermatophytosis.     

Serotonin involvement in Rhodiola rosea attenuation of nicotine withdrawal signs in rats

Rhodiola rosea has been used for centuries in the traditional medicine to stimulate nervous system, to enhance physical and mental performance and to treat fatigue. It is known that administration of Rhodiola rosea extract elicits antidepressant activity, but the mechanism of action still remains unclear. Evidence from animal models and human studies show that nicotine reduces symptoms of depression and that nicotine cessation induces depressive-like symptoms. We investigated the effects of Rhodiola rosea on nicotine withdrawal signs. Nicotine dependence was induced by subcutaneous nicotine injection (2mg/kg, four times daily) for 14 days. Another group of animals treated with nicotine (for 14 days) and successively with Rhodiola rosea extract was co-administered with selective 5-HT receptorial antagonist WAY 100635 (1mg/kg). After nicotine withdrawal animals were evaluated for behavioural parameters (locomotor activity, abstinence signs, marble burying test), diencephalic serotonin metabolism and serotonin receptor-1A expression. Results show a significant increase of 5-HT content in N treated with R. rosea, with a significant increase of serotonin receptor 1A, suggesting an involvement of serotonin in beneficial effects of R. rosea on suffering produced by nicotine withdrawal.     

The actomyosin cytoskeleton of amoebae of the cellular slime molds acrasis rosea and protostelium mycophaga: structure, biochemical properties, and function

In amoebae of the cellular slime molds (mycetozoans) Acrasis rosea and Protostelium mycophaga, bundles of F-actin radiate from the endoplasm-ectoplasm interface into the pseudopodia, where G-actin is also located. We conclude that these actin bundles form a core scaffold driving pseudopod extension which is subsequently completed by filling with a more loosely organized meshwork of F-actin. Some bipolar, elongate amoebae of A. rosea also contained long bundles of F-actin that traverse the cells lengthwise and remotely resemble stress fibers. Rodlets of F-actin were scattered in the body of amoebae of A. rosea or formed star-shaped or polygonal complexes near or around contractile vacuoles, where they may play a role in contraction. In total protein extracts analyzed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblots the actins migrated like the rabbit skeletal muscle control. The relative proportion of actin in total protein extracts was 7.9% for A. rosea and 34.5% for P. mycophaga. We detected four or five isoactins in extracts of both species and we determined that the genome of each species contains approximately six actin genes. Whether they are all expressed or if posttranslational modifications occur remains to be determined. Myosin II was enriched in actomyosin extracts; its Mr was 187.8 kDa for A. rosea and 220.7 kDa for P. mycophaga. Cell models ("ghosts") contracted upon the addition of ATP. We conclude that amoebae of A. rosea and P. mycophaga, although behaving differently from those of Dictyostelium discoideum, contain the basic repertoire of molecules that enable pseudopod extension by actin polymerization and ATP-induced contraction of the cell cortex. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.     

Forest fragmentation truncates a food chain based on an old-growth forest bracket fungus

We studied the effect of forest fragmentation on the insect community inhabiting an old-growth forest specialist bracket fungus, Fomitopsis rosea , in eastern Finland. Samples of the fungus from large non-isolated control areas were compared with samples from forest fragments in two isolation time classes; 2–7 yr and 12–32 yr since isolation. Fomitopsis rosea hosted a species-rich community with relatively many specialized old-growth forest insects. The numerically dominant food chain consisted of F. rosea , the tineid moth Agnathosia mendicella and the tachinid fly Elfia cingulata , a specialist parasitoid of A. mendicella . The frequency of F. rosea on suitable fallen spruce logs and the frequency of A. mendicella in fruiting bodies were significantly lower in the forest fragments than in the control areas. The median number of trophic levels decreased from three in the control areas to one in the fragments that had been isolated for the longest period of time. The parasitoid was completely missing from the fragments isolated for 12–32 yr. Our results show that in boreal forests habitat loss and fragmentation truncate food chains of specialized species in the course of time since isolation.     

红景天提取物提高高强度跑台运动小鼠的抗氧化能力

为了考察红景天提取物对高强度跑台运动小鼠的抗氧化能力的影响,本研究将30只昆明小鼠随机分成对照组、模型组和红景天提取物组,每组10只。红景天提取物组小鼠按照500 mg/kg bw的剂量灌胃红景天提取液(2 m L)。对照组和模型组小鼠灌胃等体积的蒸馏水,共灌胃4周。采用硫酸蒽酮比色法检测小鼠肝脏和肌肉组织糖原的含量;采用硫代巴比妥酸比色法检测小鼠骨骼肌组织中的丙二醛(MDA)水平;采用RT-PCR和Western blotting检测骨骼肌组织中的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)的表达水平;采用苏木精和伊红(HE)染色评价骨骼肌病理改变。研究显示,模型组小鼠的跑台运动时间显著低于红景天提取物组(61.32 min vs 83.22 min,p<0.05);与模型组相比,红景天提取物组小鼠骨骼肌的炎性细胞浸润明显减轻,肌纤维排列明显改善;红景天提取物组的肝糖原和肌糖原含量均显著高于模型组;红景天提取物组小鼠骨骼肌组织中的MDA水平显著低于模型组;红景天提取物组的SOD、GSH-Px和CAT m RNA和蛋白表达水平均显著高于模型组;红景天提取物可通过上调抗氧化酶表达来增加抗氧化能力,减弱骨骼肌损伤,并增加机体的抗疲劳能力。     

Comparative phytochemical characterization of three Rhodiola species

In comparison to the well-recognized adaptogenic herb Rhodiola rosea, phytochemical constituents of two other Rhodiola species (R. heterodonta and R. semenovii) were elucidated and characterized. Two major phytochemical groups; phenolic and/or cyanogenic glycosides and proanthocyanidins, were isolated and identified in the three species. Chemical similarities among the three species were observed; however, each species displayed differences in phytochemical constituents. R. heterodonta contained a newly detected phenylethanoid glycoside, heterodontoside, in addition to the known compounds tyrosol, viridoside, salidroside, and rhodiocyanoside A. Both R. heterodonta and R. rosea contained phenylethanoid/propanoid compounds that were not detected in R. semenovii. For R. semenovii, the cyanogenic glucosides rhodiocyanoside A and lotaustralin were detected. Although the three species have proanthocyanidins composed of (-)-epigallocatechin and its 3-O-gallate esters in common, the degree of polymerization greatly differed between them. In contrast to R. heterodonta and R. semenovii, R. rosea has higher molecular weight polymeric proanthocyanidins. This study resulted in the identification and isolation of phytochemical constituents for direct cross-comparison between three Rhodiola species of medicinal and pharmacological value.     

Uncommon cases of pityriasis versicolor

Malassezia may play a role in several dermatoses. It is responsible for foliculitis and mainly for pityriasis versicolor. Pityriasis versicolor is the most known dermatitis because of its clinical aspects and frequently for its poor response to the therapy, mainly in chronic forms. The clinical aspects of uncommon and rare forms of pityriasis versicolor have been reported. The data related to the patients observed in the last thirty years in Siena are reported. In addition, a study was carried out in Pisa by Professor F. Mancianti to identify species of Malassezia isolated in 37 patients.     

江西地区花斑癣患者马拉色菌菌种分析

目的了解江西地区花斑癣患者马拉色菌菌种分布情况。比较传统吐温试验和改良吐温试验。方法对141例临床典型、真菌镜检阳性的花斑癣患者,采用Leeming和Notman培养基培养皮屑。以标准菌株为对照,按形态学和生理生化特点进行分类,分析马拉色菌菌种构成情况。同时比较传统吐温试验和改良吐温试验优缺点。结果培养到95株马拉色菌,分离出5个菌种:合轴马拉色菌62株,糠秕马拉色菌17株,球形马拉色菌9株,钝形马拉色菌6株,限制马拉色菌1株。结论合轴马拉色菌占有明显优势(65.26%)。改良吐温试验易于操作、费时短,尤其适合多标本的流行病学调查研究,值得推广。     

Distribution, abundance and species associations of earthworms (Lumbricidae) in a reclaimed peat soil in Ireland

Fifteen species of earthworm were collected from a reclaimed fen peat soil used for rough hay in County Offaly, Ireland. The most common species were Aporrectodea tuberculata, Allolobophora chlorotica, Eisenia rosea and Octolasion tyrtaeum. A. tuberculata, A. chlorotica and E. rosea formed a significant association. The total numbers of earthworms collected by hand-sorting reached a maximum of 197.1 m⁻². Compared with hand-sorting, formalin-expulsion was an inefficient sampling method for most species. Soil moisture varied within the study area. Total densities and biomasses of the earthworms were greater where the soil was drier. A. tuberculata, A. turgida, Satchellius mammale and the pink form of A. chlorotica were more common in the dry soils whilst O. tyrtaeum, Lumbricus rubellus and the green form of A. chlorotica were more common in the wet soils.     

Antioxidative effects of Cinnamomi cassiae and Rhodiola rosea extracts in liver of diabetic mice

Both Cinnamomi cassiae and Rhodiola rosea extracts are used as anti-diabetic folk medicines. Recently, increased oxidative stress was shown to play an important role in the etiology and pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and its complications. This study was designed to examine the effects of Cinnamomi cassiae and Rhodiola rosea extracts on blood glucose, lipid peroxidation, the level of reduced glutathione and its related enzymes (glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase), and the activity of the antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) in the liver of db/db mice. Diabetic C57BL/Ks db/db mice were used as experimental models. Mice were divided into control (n=10), Cinnamomi cassiae (200 mg/kg/day, n=10), and Rhodiola rosea (200 mg/kg/day, n=10) treated groups for 12 weeks of treatment. These type II diabetic mice were used to investigate the effects of Cinnamomi cassiae and Rhodiola rosea on blood glucose, reduced glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, lipid peroxidation, catalase and superoxide dismutase. Cinnamomi cassiae and Rhodiola rosea extracts significantly decreased on blood glucose, increased levels of reduced glutathione and the activities of glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase in the liver. Extract treatment also significantly decreased lipid peroxidation. Cinnamomi cassiae and Rhodiola rosea extracts may be effective for correcting hyperglycemia and preventing diabetic complications.     

Ability of Clonostachys rosea to Establish and Suppress Sporulation Potential of Botrytis cinerea in Deleafed Stems of Hydroponic Greenhouse Tomatoes

The ability of Clonostachys rosea to establish and persist in deleafed tomato stems and to suppress sporulation potential of Botrytis cinerea was investigated in plots of hydroponic tomatoes in commercial greenhouses. Leaves near lower fruit clusters were removed according to standard practice and deleafed portions of the stems were treated with C. rosea , iprodione or water. Inoculum of B. cinerea was from natural infections. Stem lesions were not produced by the pathogen during the trials. Development of C. rosea and B. cinerea in stems was estimated indirectly by quantifying sporulation on excised stem tissues that were incubated on an agar medium containing paraquat. Incidence and area of sporulation of C. rosea on tissue pieces were high (76-99%) and moderately high (33-79%), respectively, when stems were treated with the agent at 0, 6, 24 or 48 h after deleafing and sampled 11 to 75 days later. In various instances, the agent also sporulated on tissues from water controls and iprodione treatments, apparently after interplot transmission. In most instances, incidence and area of sporulation of B. cinerea on tissue pieces were high (83-100%) and moderate to high (35-76%), respectively, in the water controls, but moderate (31-44%) and moderate to low (5-34%), respectively, for stems treated with C. rosea at 0 to 48 h after deleafing and sampled after 11-75 days. Without exception, C. rosea suppressed B. cinerea as or more effectively than iprodione. Correlations between inoculum density of C. rosea (0-10 6 conidia mL -1 ) and sporulation potential of B. cinerea in deleafed stems were strongly negative in each of three tests ( r = -0.95 to -0.99). Conidial suspensions and a talc formulation of C. rosea were of similar effectiveness against B. cinerea . We conclude that C. rosea persisted and suppressed sporulation potential of B. cinerea in deleafed tomato stems for at least 11 weeks after application.     

小RNA深度测序技术分析西瓜花叶病毒蜀葵分离物

蜀葵病毒病害的发生对其生长造成严重影响,明确蜀葵病毒病害的种类及变异进化对蜀葵病毒病害的防治具有重要意义。利用小RNA深度测序技术对具有明显脉明、花叶症状的蜀葵叶片进行鉴定。结果发现,感病蜀葵被西瓜花叶病毒(Watermelon mosaic virus, WMV)、锦葵脉明病毒(Mala vein cleaning virus, MVCV)和一种新的RNA病毒[暂命名为蜀葵病毒1号(Althaea rosea virus1, ArV1)]所侵染。为进一步明确WMV蜀葵分离物(WMV-Tg)的进化关系,对病毒WMV-Tg全基因组进行扩增,获得全长为10 046个核苷酸序列(nt)。序列分析结果显示,WMV-Tg与已报道的WMV分离物基因组核苷酸序列的同源性为83.3%～90.2%。系统进化关系表明,WMV-Tg与WMV-Pg聚为一簇,亲缘关系最近。对蜀葵WMV-Tg来源的小RNA(WMV-derived small interfering RNAs, WMV-vsiRNAs)的长度分布、5′碱基偏好性、极性分布以及热点区分布的分析,有助于加深对WMV-vsiRNAs的了解,并为进一步研究病毒来源的小RNA(virus-derived small interfering RNAs, vsiRNAs)在抗病毒防御中的功能,以及为蜀葵病毒病的防治奠定理论基础。     

Rhodiola rosea as antioxidant in red blood cells: ultrastructural and hemolytic behaviour

Rhodiola rosea L. (Crassulaceae) is a plant that lives at high altitude in Europe and Asia, widely used for its high capacity to increase the organism resistance to different stress conditions. Although a few international literature supports these effects, today R. rosea has become a common component of many dietary supplements also in the Western world. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the R. rosea roots aqueous extract on in vitro human erythrocytes exposed to hypochlorous acid (HOCl)-oxidative stress. Several damages occur in human erythrocytes exposed in vitro to HOCl, among these membrane protein and lipid modifications, shifting from the discocyte shape to the echinocyte one, and determining lysis ultimately. Therefore, in the present work, the evaluation of the antioxidant capacity of the Rhodiola extract has been carried out by means of scanning electron microscopy and of hemolytic behaviour on human erythrocytes exposed to HOCl in the presence of increasing doses of the aqueous extract in different experimental environments (co-incubation and subsequent incubations). The results obtained are consistent with a significant protection of the extract in presence of the oxidative agent, but a cautionary note emerges from the analysis of the data related to the cell exposition to the plant extract in the absence of any induced oxidative stress. In fact, the addition to erythrocyte of high doses of R. rosea extract always determines severe alterations of the cell shape.     

Species of Malassezia associated with various dermatoses and healthy skin in the Mexican population

At the present, eight Malassezia species have been described and their distribution in normal skin and in several skin diseases appears variable. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency and distribution of Malassezia species in patients with psoriasis, seborrhoeic dermatitis and pityriasis versicolor attended in a Hospital from Mexico City, in addition to a healthy individual group. Scales of abnormal and healthy skin were grown in modified Dixon agar and the species identification was performed by macroscopic and microscopic features; by catalase and urease reaction; growth at 32, 37 and 40 degrees C; and Tween 20, 40, 60 and 80 assimilation. The cultures from 63 persons were included: forty six patients (20 psoriasis, 15 seborrhoeic dermatitis, 11 pityriasis versicolor) and 17 healthy individuals (external auditory canal). A total of 96 isolates were obtained. The more frequently isolated species were: M. sympodialis (38.2%) and M. furfur (26.5%) in psoriasis; M. sympodialis (38.5%) and M. slooffiae (34.6%) in seborrhoeic dermatitis; M. globosa (46.7%) and M. sympodialis (26.7%) in pityriasis versicolor; and M. restricta (47.6%) and M. globosa (23.8%) in normal skin. The number of isolates, the species diversity and association were higher in the patients group than in the healthy individuals group.     

Artificial chromosome libraries of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) and Planobispora rosea

Using an Escherichia coli-Streptomyces shuttle vector derived from a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC), we developed methodologies for the construction of BAC libraries of filamentous actinomycetes. Libraries of Streptomyces coelicolor, the model actinomycete, and Planobispora rosea, a genetically intractable strain, were constructed. Both libraries have an average insert size of 60 kb, with maximal insert larger than 150 kb. The S. coelicolor library was evaluated by selected hybridisations to DraI fragments and by end sequencing of a few clones. Hybridisation of the P. rosea library to selected probes indicates a good representation of the P. rosea genome and that the library can be used to facilitate the genomic analysis of this actinomycete.     

Pollinator-mediated competition between two congeners, Limnanthes douglasii subsp. rosea and L. alba (Limnanthaceae)

? Premise of Study: Pollinator visits are essential for reproduction in many plants, yet interspecific movements of pollinators can also lead to competitive interactions between coflowering species. Pollination-mediated reductions in fertility could potentially lead to exclusion of competing plant species, and may generate spatial variation in the associations among coflowering species across a landscape. ? Methods: I documented the potential for heterospecific pollen transfer to cause competitive interactions between two annual grassland species native to California, Limnanthes douglasii subsp. rosea and L. alba, two reproductively incompatible species that have broadly overlapping geographic ranges in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. I observed pollinator movement in constructed arrays and controlled crosses in the greenhouse and field to investigate the consequences of heterospecific pollen transfer. ? Key Results: Pollinators move readily between species when they are presented together in experimental arrays. In the greenhouse, deposition of heterospecific pollen decreased fertility in both species. The decrease in seeds produced per flower was much more pronounced in L. d. rosea (90.6% reduction) than in L. alba (40.8% reduction). In field experiments, L. d. rosea plants that received pollen from heterospecific neighbors first showed >50% reduction in per-flower fertility. ? Conclusions: Under natural pollination conditions, heterospecific pollen transfer has the ability to decrease the fertility of L. d. rosea when it occurs at low frequency in mixed stands. Accordingly, pollinator-mediated competition may contribute to the locally disjunct distributions of these two species. It may also influence important restoration decisions in vernal pool habitats.     

Cell-mediated Immunity in Patients Positive for Hepatitis-associated Antigen

Cell-mediated immunity to antigens prepared from both serum and liver of patients positive for hepatitis-associated antigen (H.A.A.) was measured by using the leucocyte migration test. Altogether, 43 patients with H.A.A.-positive acute and chronic liver disease, eight with serum antibody to H.A.A., and 13 controls were studied. The cell-mediated immunity detected was specific for H.A.A. or other antigenic determinants of the associated infective agent and could be found only in patients with evidence of previous contact with H.A.A.Cell-mediated immunity to the H.A.A.-positive test antigens was found in all but one of the patients with acute hepatitis, in about half of the patients with chronic aggressive hepatitis or cirrhosis, rarely in those with chronic persistent hepatitis, and in none of the apparently healthy carriers.Our results support the hypothesis that the cellular immune response plays an important part in the clearance of the infective agent from H.A.A.-positive patients and in the pathogenesis of the associated liver cell injury.     

两株产生免疫抑制剂的小双孢菌分离株的鉴定

从江苏无锡土壤中分离到两株玫瑰小双孢菌SIPI226和SIPI207,经形态、化学分析、Ribotyping及16S rRNA分析,两菌株细胞壁含meso\|DAP、磷酸类脂PIV、无枝菌酸,醌为MK9(H0,H2,H4),G+C mol%分别为683和694。经初步鉴定为玫瑰小双孢菌的两个新亚种：玫瑰小双孢菌无锡亚种(Microbispora rosea subsp. wuxiensis)和玫瑰小双孢菌鼋头渚亚种(Microbispora rosea subsp. yuantouzhuensis)。菌株SIPI226和SIPI207分别为玫瑰小双孢菌无锡亚种和玫瑰小双孢菌鼋头渚亚种的典型菌株。