An investigation on the antioxidant status of the invasive alga Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea (Sonder) Verlaque, Huisman, et Boudouresque (Caulerpales, Chlorophyta)

Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea is a potential invader of the Mediterranean Sea and 11 Mediterranean countries are under threat from this alga. In the present study, in order to investigate seasonal changes in the antioxidant status of C. racemosa var. cylindracea, antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels were determined in C. racemosa var. cylindracea samples, which were collected in May 2003, September 2003, December 2003, and March 2004 from Turkish coastlines. SOD and CAT activities showed similar trends. These enzymes increased from May to December, then sharp decreases were observed. On the other hand, GSH-Px enzyme activities showed a fluctuation between May 2003 and March 2004. In contrast to increases in SOD and CAT activities up to December 2003, LPO level decreased in this period. No significant correlation was observed between antioxidant status and solar radiation. In conclusion, the antioxidant status of C. racemosa var. cylindracea is strictly not affected by both solar radiation and seawater temperature; however, the growth of epiphytes on fronds may change antioxidant status. Further investigations are strongly warranted to understand the contributions of non-enzyme-based antioxidants such as glutathione, vitamin E, and vitamin C.     

Antioxidant response and caulerpenyne production of the alien Caulerpa taxifolia (Vahl) epiphytized by the invasive algae Lophocladia lallemandii (Montagne)

Invasive algae alter the structure and function of ecosystems. The red algae Lophocladia lallemandii grows in the West Mediterranean epiphyting the green algae Caulerpa taxifolia, another invasive alga. Our aim was to determine whether the invasive algae Lophocladia, recently introduced in the West Mediterranean, induces oxidative stress and an antioxidant response in Caulerpa taxifolia. We measured the caulerpenyne production, the activities of antioxidant enzymes and the levels of markers of lipid peroxidation in Caulerpa taxifolia. Caulerpenyne concentration was significantly higher in Caulerpa taxifolia epiphytized by Lophocladia. End-products of lipid peroxidation -malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxinonenal (4-HNE)- were significantly increased in Caulerpa taxifolia samples from the station with Lophocladia. Antioxidant enzyme activities -catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-, as well as H₂O₂ production significantly increased in the Lophocladia station compared to the control station. The activities of catalase and SOD determined in Lophocladia lallemandii showed no significant differences between Lophocladia living alone and Lophocladia epiphytating Caulerpa taxifolia. Caulerpa taxifolia epiphytized by Lophocladia lallemandii responded by increasing the caulerpenyne and H₂O₂ production and the antioxidant enzymes activities as a defensive mechanism against the new invasive algae.     

Analysis of formononetin from black cohosh (Actaea racemosa)

Black cohosh has been widely used as an herbal medicine for the treatment of symptoms related to menopause in America and Europe during the past several decades, but the bioactive constituents are still unknown. Formononetin is an isoflavone with known estrogen-like activity. This compound was first reported to be isolated from black cohosh in 1985, but subsequent research in 2002 using HPLC-PDA and LC-MS revealed no evidence to show the presence of formononetin in 13 populations of American black cohosh. A more recent report published in 2004 claimed to detect formononetin in an extract of black cohosh rhizomes using a TLC-fluorescent densitometry method. To further resolve these conflicting reports, we analyzed black cohosh roots and rhizomes for the presence of formononetin, using a combined TLC, HPLC-PDA and LC-MS method. We examined both methanolic and aqueous methanolic black cohosh extracts by HPLC-PDA and LC-MS methods, and did not detect formononetin in any extracts. We further determined the limits of detection of formononetin by HPLC-PDA and LC-MS. Our experimental results indicated that the sensitivity and accuracy of the HPLC-PDA and LC-MS methods for the analysis of formononetin were slightly higher than those of the reported fluorescent method, suggesting that the HPLC-PDA and LC-MS methods were reliable for the analysis of formononetin from black cohosh. We also repeated the reported TLC method to concentrate two fractions from a modern black cohosh sample and an 86-year-old black cohosh sample, respectively, and then analyzed these two fractions for formononetin using the HPLC-PDA and LC-MS method instead of the fluorescent method. Formononetin was not detected by HPLC-PDA or LC-MS. From the results of the present study it is not reasonable to attribute the estrogen-like activity of black cohosh extracts to formononetin.     

半红树植物玉蕊对淹水-盐度胁迫的生长及生理响应

玉蕊(Barringtonia racemosa)是典型的半红树植物,具有重要的药用及观赏价值,目前已被列为濒危植物,亟需保护.为探明不同淹水水位、淹水时长以及水体盐度对玉蕊生长的影响,筛选出适合玉蕊生存的最佳环境组合,该文以二年生玉蕊实生苗为试验材料,模拟全日潮,采用L9(34)正交试验设计,对其生长及生理指标进行分...     

Muscle damage induced by black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)

Extracts of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) are commonly used for the treatment of symptoms associated with menopause. Adverse events with black cohosh are rare, mild and reversible. A few number of serious adverse events, including hepatic and circulatory conditions, have been also reported, but without a clear causality relationship. We report the case of a woman with severe asthenia and very high blood levels of creatine phosphokinase and lactate dehydrogenase. The patient referred to take a dietary supplement derived from black cohosh for ameliorating menopause vasomotor symptoms. To exclude a possible involvement of this product, the patient was suggested to discontinue this therapy. After suspicion the patient showed a progressive normalization of biochemical parameters and improvement of clinical symptoms. We can hypothesise a causative role for black cohosh in the muscle damage observed in this patient. Factors suggesting an association between black cohosh and the observed myopathy included the temporal relationship between use of herbal product and asthenia and the absence of other identified causative factors. Rechallenge with the suspected agent was inadvisable for ethic reasons because of the risk of a serious relapse. This is the first time that asthenia associated with high muscle enzymes serum levels by black cohosh has been reported. In our opinion, this report is of interest because of the widespread diffusion of use of black cohosh as an alternative medicine for relief from menopausal symptoms.     

不同温度下杉叶蕨藻对风信子鹿角珊瑚附生微生物群落的影响

全球变暖引发珊瑚礁区向大型海藻场生态演替现象与日俱增,大型海藻对珊瑚的影响主要包括抑制生长、发育与繁殖,但不同的海藻对不同的珊瑚具有不同的影响,二者之间的关系仍未有定论。为探究热压力所引起二者竞争关系的变化,以枝状风信子鹿角珊瑚(Acroproa hyacinthus)和大型底栖海藻杉叶蕨藻(Caulerpa taxifolia)为研究对象,设置了环境温度(27℃)与热压力温度(30℃),比较藻类间接接触和直接接触珊瑚对珊瑚附生微生物群落结构的影响,并从培养水环境及海藻表面微生物中寻找影响珊瑚表面微生物的原因。结果表明,去除嵌合体后共获得3369713条优化序列,并且大部分细菌得到注释。环境温度下,间接接触与直接接触组微生物表达模式接近,海藻的处理使得珊瑚表面附生微生物种类、丰度、PcoA区分度最高。门水平上,微生物群落主要由变形菌门、拟杆菌门、蓝细菌门、厚壁菌门、放线菌门组成。目水平上,微生物群落主要由红细菌目、黄杆菌目、肠杆菌目、蓝细菌目、假单胞菌目、噬几丁质菌目组成。这些细菌表型主要包括革兰氏阴性、好氧细菌、移动元件含量和胁迫耐受四大类,生态功能主要包括化能异养和需氧化能异养。对12个处理组的36个样本进行核心ASV分析(amplicon sequence variants),共获得139个核心ASVs。以假单胞菌目、黄杆菌目、噬几丁质菌目、红细菌目为主,还包括立克次氏体菌目、伯克霍尔德氏菌目、肠杆菌目、疣微菌目等。通过线性判别分析(linear discriminant analysis)可比较各组中相对丰度具有显著差异的细菌类群。环境温度下,群落中弧菌(Vibrio)、邻单胞菌(Plesiomonas)、奈瑟氏菌(Neisseria)以及螺旋体菌(Brevinema)相对丰度显著升高;温度升高后,珊瑚白化且胞内寄生病原微生物丰度显著升高,如米卡弧菌(Micavibrionales)与立克次氏体菌(Rickettsiales);热压力下,海藻的加入缓解了珊瑚白化、减少了胞内寄生性微生物丰度、显著提高了益生菌海命菌(Marivita)以及Halioxenophilus丰度。因此,在不同温度下杉叶蕨藻既作为压力源转移病原菌,又协助珊瑚抵抗胞内寄生菌,结果有助于理解大型海藻-珊瑚的竞争关系,解释海藻对珊瑚的潜在生态影响。     

A comparative study: Assessment of the antioxidant system in the invasive green alga Caulerpa racemosa and some macrophytes from the Mediterranean

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are of great importance in plant metabolism. However, uncontrolled activation of ROS might have deleterious effects in cells. Eleven Mediterranean countries are still under threat of an introduced taxon of Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea. In the present study, it has been aimed to compare the antioxidant status of this highly invasive alga with some Mediterranean macrophytes collected in the same habitat. For this purpose, such antioxidant enzyme activities as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) as well, levels have been determined in C. racemosa, Cystoseira barbata C. Agardh, Padina pavonica (Linnaeus) Thivy and Enteromorpha sp. The highest SOD, CAT, GSH-Px enzyme activities and the lowest LPO level have been measured in the invasive C. racemosa. In conclusion, C. racemosa var. cylindracea seems more tolerant in warring with ROS than the Mediterranean species tested do. These results could partly explain the amazing success of C. racemosa var. cylindracea introduced in the Mediterranean.     

欧洲球螋的检疫

北京出入境检验检疫局从美国进境旅客携带的石榴中检出欧洲球螋。了解欧洲球螋的基本特性,能为相关部门对其检疫鉴定提供参考依据。对欧洲球螋的相关文献进行了查阅和整理,详细介绍了欧洲球螋的分类地位、分布、形态特征及近似种等信息,我国出入境检验检疫部门对球螋属的截获情况,讨论了欧洲球螋的检疫意义。认为欧洲球螋在我国无分布且具有一定的入侵风险,口岸应对该虫引起足够的重视。     

Culture studies onCaulerpa (caulerpales,chlorophyceae) III. Reproduction,development and morphological variation of laboratory-culturedC. racemosa var.peltata

Reproduction, development and morphological variation of the marine green algaCaulerpa racemosa var.peltata from the southern part of Japan were studied in culture in the laboratory. Anisogamous biflagellate male and female gametes were produced monoeciously and copulated with each other. Settled zygotes became spherical and increased in volume. After five weeks, they formed two germ tubes which extended in opposite directions. Both germ tubes became elongated and branched, resulting in the formation of creeping, filamentous, protonema-like plants. These plants formed primary shoots which differentiated into creeping rhizomes and upright axes. Each upright axis successively formed ramuli and developed into an assimilator. The morphology of assimilators, i.e., shape and arrangement of ramuli, varied with culture coditions. The effects of temperature and light intensity on the formation of assimilators were investigated with 25 combinations of 5 temperatures (20.0–30.0C) and 5 light intensities (0.5–8.0 klux). The morphological plasticity of this alga is identical to that ofCaulerpa racemosa var.laetevirens, which was previously described by the present authors. Thus, apparently, the plasticity of this taxon is correlated with environmental factors. It appears, moreover, thatC. racemosa var.peltata andC. racemosa var.laetevirens are ecophenes (ecads) of a single species.     

Grazing rates of Elysia tomentosa on native and introduced Caulerpa taxifolia

The marine alga Caulerpa taxifolia Vahl (C. Agardh), recognized globally as one of the most prolific non-native species introductions, has been introduced to several temperate locations from where it has since rapidly expanded. C. taxifolia is protected by a toxin (terpenoid) in its tissues that limits grazing by native herbivores. Sacoglossan molluscs of the genus Elysia are among the few organisms that graze C. taxifolia; however, little is known about their feeding ecology. In the current study, we quantified the grazing rates of Elysia tomentosa on native C. taxifolia (Moreton Bay, Queensland) and introduced C. taxifolia (Botany Bay and Lake Conjola, New South Wales). Grazing rates were similar at Moreton Bay sites and Botany Bay; however, they were significantly lower in Lake Conjola. At the maximum observed grazing rate, slugs ate their body weight in C. taxifolia (dry weight) every 18–24 h. Differences in grazing rates between locations may be explained by differences in C. taxifolia morphology rather than native or introduced origin. Handling editor: J. Padisak     

Cimicifuga racemosa extract BNO 1055 inhibits proliferation of the human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP

Extracts from black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa, CR) exert an anti-proliferative action in human breast cancer cell cultures, which has been attributed to an anti-estrogenic effect. However, CR constituents do not bind to either of the known estrogen receptors. Thus, the anti-tumor effect of CR me be mediated by mechanisms not involving these receptors. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are toxic environmental pollutants, which indirectly act as anti-estrogens by activating the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). The AhR is widely expressed in mammalian tissues and tumors. A recent screening study demonstrated activation of the AhR by a variety of herbal extracts, among others, CR. Since activation of the AhR causes inhibition of growth of prostate cancer cells, we addressed the question, whether CR may not only inhibit growth of breast cancer--but also of prostate cancer cells. In the AhR ligand assay, the CR extract BNO 1055 reduced tracer binding to 71% of the control demonstrating interaction of constituents of this extract with the receptor. Under basal as well as under estradiol- and dihydrotestosterone stimulated conditions, the CR extract dose dependently inhibited proliferation of LNCaP cells. A significant reduction of cell growth was observed at a concentration as low as 50 ng/ml. Thus, it is demonstrated for the first time that CR compounds potently inhibit the growth of human prostate cancer cells in vitro. This anti-proliferative effect may be mediated via the AhR.     

5种杀虫剂对西花蓟马和花蓟马的毒力及其生理酶活性的影响

【目的】探究不同杀虫剂对重要入侵害虫西花蓟马及其本地近缘种花蓟马的毒力及对保护酶和解毒酶活性的影响,为进一步研究2种害虫的抗性管理提供依据。【方法】采用浸渍法测定5种田间常用杀虫剂对西花蓟马和花蓟马的毒力,并测定杀虫剂亚致死浓度(LC25)下2种蓟马体内保护酶和解毒酶活性的差异。【结果】不同杀虫剂对2种蓟马的毒力依次为:乙基多杀菌素甲维盐阿维菌素吡虫啉噻虫嗪,乙基多杀菌素对西花蓟马和花蓟马的LC_(50)分别为0.28和0.03 mg·L~(-1)。不同药剂的亚致死剂量(LC_(25))对西花蓟马和花蓟马体内保护酶和解毒酶活性普遍具有诱导作用。其中,阿维菌素对西花蓟马超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性诱导作用最强,为326.40 U·mg~(-1),是对照的9.37倍,而乙基多杀菌素对花蓟马SOD活性诱导作用最强,为245.35 U·mg~(-1),是对照的9.32倍;吡虫啉对西花蓟马和花蓟马过氧化物酶(POD)诱导作用最强,分别为298.67和246.79 U·mg~(-1),是对照的37.10和20.57倍;阿维菌素对西花蓟马和花蓟马过氧化氢酶(CAT)和羧酸酯酶(CarE)诱导作用最强,分别为298.67、246.79 U·mg~(-1)(CAT活性)和12.53、11.99 U·mg~(-1)(CarE活性);乙基多杀菌素对西花蓟马和花蓟马谷胱甘肽转移酶(GST)和乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)诱导作用最强,分别为77527.59、66927.39 U·mg~(-1)(GST活性)和2.34、2.22 U·mg~(-1)(AChE活性)。【结论】5种杀虫剂中,乙基多杀菌素对2种蓟马的毒力最强;西花蓟马对杀虫剂的解毒代谢能力强于花蓟马。     

The feeding process of Cimex lectularius (Linnaeus 1758) and Cimex hemipterus (Fabricius 1803) on different bloodmeal sources

The bedbugs Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemipterus are obligate hematophages in all their nymphal instars as well as in the adult stage. The efficiency with which the insects obtain blood from their hosts is directly related to their population dynamics. In the present study we compared the feeding process and salivary content in individuals of these two species when fed on different blood sources or host sites, using a cibarial pump electromyogram. Females ingested more blood than males but needed longer contact time with the host to complete the meal. The bedbug C. lectularius was more efficient than C. hemipterus in obtaining blood from mice and pigeons. With regard to the feeding site on mice, it was easier for the insects to obtain blood from the skin of the belly than that of the back. Individuals of C. hemipterus were able to maintain the cibarial pump functioning at higher frequencies for longer periods when fed on pigeons treated with anticoagulant. Although saliva from C. lectularius contained more hemeproteins and showed more anti-clotting activity its total protein content was similar to that of C. hemipterus. Overall, C. lectularius obtains a bloodmeal more efficiently from its hosts, which may have enabled this species to reach higher levels of infestation than C. hemipterus.     

垂丝紫荆花粉贮藏及生活力研究

为进行紫荆杂交育种和开发利用,以垂丝紫荆花粉为试材,利用离体培养法、3种染色法（醋酸洋红、TTC和碘-碘化钾染色）对花粉生活力进行测定,并分析不同贮藏温度和时间对花粉萌发的影响。结果显示,培养基中添加蔗糖和硼酸对花粉的萌发有促进作用,垂丝紫荆花粉萌发的适宜培养基为120 g/L蔗糖+40 mg/L硼酸,花粉萌发率达86.23%;醋酸洋红染色法适宜快速测定垂丝紫荆花粉生活力;垂丝紫荆花粉最佳的贮藏温度为 -196 ℃,经济的贮藏方法为-20 ℃。     

拮抗北细辛菌核病木霉菌的分离、鉴定及生防效果

【背景】菌核病是北细辛根部主要病害之一,木霉菌作为目前应用最广泛的生物防治真菌,利用木霉菌防治北细辛菌核病是目前研究的热点。【目的】通过稀释分离法对健康北细辛植株根际土壤进行菌株分离,以期筛选出有效拮抗北细辛菌核病的生防木霉菌。【方法】以北细辛菌核病菌为靶标菌,采用平板对峙培养、挥发性与非挥发性物质抑菌的方法对分离得到的木霉菌进行筛选,采用生长速率法对筛选出的木霉菌的发酵液进行抑菌效果测定,并采用硫代巴比妥酸法测定筛选出的木霉对北细辛菌核病菌的丙二醛(Malondialdehyde,MDA)含量、紫外吸收法测定过氧化氢酶(Catalase,CAT)活性、氮蓝四唑法测定超氧化物歧化酶(Superoxide Dismutase,SOD)活性、愈创木酚法测定过氧化物酶(Peroxidase,POD)活性的影响。【结果】从土壤中分离出木霉菌共14株,通过形态学和ITS-RPB2双基因联合构建系统发育树,鉴定其为哈茨木霉(Trichoderma harzianum)、钩状木霉(Trichoderma hamatum)、拟康氏木霉(Trichoderma koningiopsis)、深绿木霉(Tr...     

盐度、温度和光照强度对针叶蕨藻的生长及光合活性的影响

为探究环境因子对针叶蕨藻（Caulerpa sertularioides）生长的影响,对不同盐度、温度和光照强度下针叶蕨藻的生长和叶绿素荧光参数进行了研究。结果表明：藻体日特定生长率（SGR）、最大光量子产量（F_v/F_m）、实际光合效率（Yield）、电子传递速率（ETR）和光化学淬灭（qP）随盐度升高呈先上升后下降的变化趋势,非光化学淬灭（qN）则呈相反的变化趋势,藻体光合活性和固碳效率在盐度27.5‰时达到最高,且与25‰和30‰盐度的差异显著（P<0.05,n=3）。藻体SGR、F_v/F_m、Yield、ETR和qP随温度升高而下降,qN则相反,藻体光合活性和固碳效率在26℃下达到最高,且与28℃和30℃的差异显著（P<0.05,n=3）。藻体的SGR、F_v/F_m、Yield、ETR和qP随光照强度升高呈先上升后下降的变化趋势,qN则相反,且在18.75 μmol/（m²·s）弱光照下出现轻微光抑制,藻体生长、光合活性及固碳效率在光照强度25.00 μmol/（m²·s）时达到最高,但与18.75和31.25 μmol/（m²·s）的差异不显著（P>0.05,n=3）。因此,针叶蕨藻在27.5‰盐度、26℃和25.00 μmol/（m²·s）光照强度下生长最快且光合作用能力最高。