A model describing chemical interference caused by decomposing residues at different densities of growing plants

In literature, the biological response of plants to phytochemicals has been modelled and then used to simulate phytotoxicity caused by plant residues during decomposition. According to the resulting residue allelopathy model, stimulation dominates in the beginning of the residue decomposition process for a short while. Thereafter, severe inhibition is predicted to occur rapidly, until stimulation gradually re-emerges at the later stages of residue decomposition. Also in literature, direct chemical interference has been shown to be density-dependent; with increasing target plant density, the effects of phytochemicals are diluted. As a result, inhibition is the most probable outcome in density-dependent phytochemical interactions at low target plant densities, but phytotoxic effects often become stimulatory as target plant density increases. In this paper, these models that have been reported in literature are combined. While the original residue allelopathy model predicts inhibitory effects in most cases, the new density-dependent extension of the residue allelopathy model predicts that the density of target plants determines whether or not inhibition occurs. According to the new model, the intensity of inhibition decreases and the final stimulatory period begins earlier if target plant density increases. Therefore, combining the effects of density-dependency to the residue allelopathy model enhances our understanding of chemical interference. In addition, the new model may partially explain why several field studies have not observed chemically driven inhibitory effects similar to those observed in laboratory experiments.     

Allelopathy in wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) allelopathy has potential for the management of weeds, pests and diseases. Both wheat residue allelopathy and wheat seedling allelopathy can be exploited for managing weeds, including resistant biotypes. Wheat varieties differ in allelopathic potential against weeds, indicating that selection of allelopathic varieties might be a useful strategy in integrated weed management. Several categories of allelochemicals for wheat allelopathy have been identified, namely, phenolic acids, hydroxamic acids and short‐chain fatty acids. Wheat allelopathic activity is genetically controlled and a multigenic model has been proposed. Research is underway to identify genetic markers associated with wheat allelopathy. Once allelopathic genes have been located, a breeding programme could be initiated to transfer the genes into modern varieties for weed suppression. The negative impacts of wheat autotoxicity on agricultural production systems have also been identified when wheat straws are retained on the soil surface for conservation farming purposes. A management package to avoid such deleterious effects is discussed. Wheat allelopathy requires further study in order to maximise its allelopathic potential for the control of weeds, pests and diseases, and to minimise its detrimental effects on the growth of wheat and other crops.     

Algal allelopathy

The comprehensive review on allelopathy (Rice, 1979, 1984) has been largely responsible for the evolution of allelopathy as an independent branch of chemical/ physiological ecology. The allelopathic research during the last four decades drew attention to different facets of the interactions among the constituents of habitat, calling for an understanding of the role of allelopathy under different habitat conditions. In view of this, we have reviewed the existing information on allelopathic interactions in aquatic habitats with special reference to algal allelopathy. This review has been mainly confined, therefore, to different aspects of algal allelopathy such as allelopathic interactions in algae, algal toxins, bioassays, and implications of algal allelopathy. In spite of the large number of reviews on allelopathy (see section III), no independent review appears on algal allelopathy. Although there were reports of toxins from cyanobacteria and other algae, no appreciable attempt was made to implicate algal toxins in allelopathy under field conditions. Knowledge of chemistry and biology of allelochemical can help in their potential use in controlling plant diseases and weeds. Therefore, it is urgent to study algal toxins for their involvement in ecological phenomena such as succession, for their uses as herbicides, weedicides, and pesticides, for their uses in solving some of the problems of algal ecology, and for their involvement in applied aspects.     

Microbial metabolites as eco-friendly agrochemicals for the next millennium

As a result of the increasing environmental and health-related problems caused by the synthetic agrochemicals currently used, suitable and non-hazardous innovative alternatives are being sought. Antagonism and allelopathy, both in nature and in agro-ecosystems, have attracted these researchers' attention, with the main goal of using these phenomena in the biological control of weeds. This article presents a review on the use and efficacy of microbial secondary metabolites which have potential as natural herbicides, either directly or as templates for bio-rational eco-friendly agrochemicals (allelochemicals). Their merits as alternatives to synthetic chemicals and biological control agents have been highlighted for an holistic approach in integrated pest/weed management.     

植物化感作用的机理、影响因素及应用潜力

从化感作用与植物的叶水势、光合作用、呼吸作用、养分有效性、细胞分裂和代谢等方面的关系综述了化感作用的作用机理,同时就影响化感作用的主要因素进行了讨论。文章认为化感作用在科学构建种群结构、防除病虫草害、设计合理种植制度、提高肥水利用效率和秸秆还田利用率等领域具有较大的应用潜力。     

Some roles of allelopathic compounds in plant communities

Banzan Kumazawa reported some 300 years ago in Japan that rain or dew which washes the leaves of red pine (Pinus densiflora) is harmful to crops growing under the pine. De Candolle suggested also in 1832 that certain weeds secrete toxins which inhibit growth of crop plants. Despite these suggestions, it is only in the past 70 years that appreciable research has been done in the field of allelopathy and only in the past 15 years that much research has been directed toward elucidating some of the many roles of allelopathy in ecological processes. Some of the more notable ecological phenomena and processes in which allelopathy has been implicated are: succession, patterning of vegetation, prevention of seed decay prior to germination, inhibition of nitrification by climax ecosystems, dormancy of seeds, promotion of infection by pathogens, and resistance to infection.     

Invited Review Free Radicals in Foods

During the last decade increasing attention has been given to the role of free radicals in biological oxidations. The subject has been of increasing interest to both the food scientist and the physiologist. Free radical scavengers in the form of both indigenous and added antioxidants are necessary for the successful preservation of food; free radicals are increasingly being implicated in the onset of, among others, ischaemic heart disease and for protection against these diseases it is suggested that the dietary intake of the antioxidant vitamins should be increased especially for diets high in polyunsaturated fats. ^1,2 Convenience and snack foods which absorb substantial amounts of frying oils are being increasingly consumed. Since poly-unsaturated fatty acids are particularly susceptible to oxidation by free radicals during the storage, cooking and frying of foods, the potential risk of exposure to lipid degradation products' is likely to have increased. In foods the non-enzymic and lipoxygenase catalysed oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, β-carotene and vitamin A can result in the loss of essential nutrients and the development of off-flavours.     

基于支持向量回归的生物测定数据分析

生物测定是生物学、 医学、 毒理学的重要内容与基础。常用的定量生物测定数据分析方法时间-剂量-死亡率模型(TDM)不能对复杂生测数据建立统一模型, 信息利用不充分。本文基于支持向量回归(SVR), 提出了一种能对不同供试因子、 不同供试对象和不同环境条件下复杂生测数据统一建模的新方法。14个简单生测数据和2套复杂生测数据的对比分析结果表明, SVR模型拟合与留一法预测精度均优于TDM模型, 估计的LD50和LT50等指标更为可信。SVR模型有望作为TDM模型的有益补充, 在定量生物测定数据分析中得到广泛应用。     

Rice allelopathy and the possibility for weed management

In attempts to control weeds in rice, much effort has been focused on rice allelopathy research for more than 30 years. Among screening methods that have been developed, some estimate the allelopathic potential of various rice cultivars in a limited time and space, which is less costly and can be conducted year round. Rice allelopathy activity is variety dependent and origin dependent, where Japonica rice shows greater allelopathic activity than Indica and Japonica–Indica hybrids. Allelopathic characteristics in rice are quantitatively inherited and several allelopathy‐involved traits have been identified. Numerous phytotoxins such as cytokinins, diterpenoids, fatty acids, flavones, glucopyranosides, indoles, momilactones (A and B), oryzalexins, phenols, phenolic acids, resorcinols and stigmastanols have been identified and determined as growth inhibitors in rice. However, the fate and actual modes of action of these compounds as well as other potent rice phytotoxins in nature are not well understood. The question of which compounds play a major role in rice allelopathy has remained obscure; however, rice allelopathy might be attributable to the interaction of all present allelochemicals. Despite locating genes determining or involving allelopathy in rice having attracted much effort, the introduction of these genes into target rice cultivars has not yet been achieved. Success in breeding new rice cultivars having good weed‐suppressing ability would benefit farmers in rice‐cultivating countries and play an important role in sustainable agricultural production.     

数学建模在生物化感及其赫米西斯(Hormesis)现象中的应用

简述了国内外对生物化感数学建模的研究近况,包括通过数学模型描述化感物质的赫米西斯(Hormesis)现象,化感作用在受体植物不同密度条件下的表达,植物残茬中化感物质的分解动态及受体植物的动态响应,环境中化感物质的动态变化规律及在植物-昆虫-天敌系统中的应用等。并对化感数学建模领域的先驱机理模型An-Hormesis模型,An-Liu-Johnson-Lovett模型,和An_Residue模型做了简介。     

Genetic evidence for natural product-mediated plant-plant allelopathy in rice (Oryza sativa)

? There is controversy as to whether specific natural products play a role in directly mediating antagonistic plant-plant interactions - that is, allelopathy. If proved to exist, such phenomena would hold considerable promise for agronomic improvement of staple food crops such as rice (Oryza sativa). ? However, while substantiated by the presence of phytotoxic compounds at potentially relevant concentrations, demonstrating a direct role for specific natural products in allelopathy has been difficult because of the chemical complexity of root and plant litter exudates. This complexity can be bypassed via selective genetic manipulation to ablate production of putative allelopathic compounds, but such an approach previously has not been applied. ? The rice diterpenoid momilactones provide an example of natural products for which correlative biochemical evidence has been obtained for a role in allelopathy. Here, we apply reverse genetics, using knock-outs of the relevant diterpene synthases (copalyl diphosphate synthase 4 (OsCPS4) and kaurene synthase-like 4 (OsKSL4)), to demonstrate that rice momilactones are involved in allelopathy, including suppressing growth of the widespread rice paddy weed, barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli). ? Thus, our results not only provide novel genetic evidence for natural product-mediated allelopathy, but also furnish a molecular target for breeding and metabolic engineering of this important crop plant.     

蕨类植物的化感作用及其对生物多样性的影响

植物化感作用是植物通过向环境中释放化学物质从而对同种植株和繁殖体或与其他植物之间产生的直接或间接、有益或有害的作用,它影响植物分布、群落形成与演化、作物间作等,与生物多样性保护以及农林和园艺生产实践关系密切,在国际上受到越来越多的关注。但国内这方面的研究起步相对较晚,研究范围有限,对蕨类植物化感作用的报道更少。本文系统介绍了蕨类植物化感作用的研究进展,包括蕨类植物种内的化感作用(即自毒效应)、常见的蕨类植物种间的化感作用(即孢子体对配子体的化感作用和配子体对配子体的化感作用)及蕨类植物对种子植物的化感作用(蕨类植物可通过化感作用与种子植物争夺更多的资源和生长空间)。还介绍了种子植物对蕨类植物的化感作用(主要表现为抑制作用)以及蕨类植物化感作用与动物侵食、微生物侵染的关系,研究发现昆虫侵食能增强或减弱蕨类植物的化感作用,微生物的活动可能增强某些蕨类植物的化感作用。本文从上述不同角度说明蕨类植物化感作用对生物多样性的影响,希望有助于促进我国学者对该领域的深入研究。     

植物间的相生相克效应

本文介绍了相生相克的定义,相互抑制和刺激促进现象,作用的影响因素,相生相克化合物种类等。首次对其化合物的提取、分离鉴定和生物测试等方法进行了较全面的叙述。从总体上对相生相克作用进行了较系统的评述。     

Potential role of allelopathy in the soil and the decomposing root of Chinese-fir replant woodland

The role of allelopathy in the Chinese-fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) replant problem was studied. The failure of Chinese-fir seedlings to grow normally in Chinese-fir replant woodland was not only caused by the depletion of nutrients and the deterioration of the structure of replant woodland soil, but also by biotic factors and allelopathy. Extracts of soils collected from replant woodlands significantly reduced the growth of Chinese-fir seedlings. Extracts and decomposing root residues also significantly inhibited the growth of Chinese-fir seedlings. Extracts of the replant soil and of the decomposing roots from Chinese-fir replant woodland were both toxic to other plants. The combination of the decomposing root residues and the pathogenic fungi reduced the growth of Chinese-fir seedlings the most when compared to the decomposing root residue alone and the control. It appears that allelopathy is at least partly involved in the Chinese-fir replant problem. ei]Section editor: R Rodriguez-Kabana     

植物间的相生相克效应

本文介绍了相生相克的定义,相互抑制和刺激促进现象,作用的影响因素,相生相克化合物种类等。首次对其化合物的提取、分离鉴定和生物测试等方法进行了较全面的叙述。从总体上对相生相克作用进行了较系统的评述。     

全球CO2浓度变化与植物的化感作用

ＣＯ２浓度升高会使植物同化物在体内的含量和分配发生变化,这种变化会影响到植物的某些生理代谢功能,进而影响植物次生代谢物质的形成和分泌,就大气ＣＯ２浓度升高和温度增加将如何影响植物叶片及根系次生代谢物、化感物质、植物残体腐解以及化感作用进行了论述,同时针对目前研究现状和未来可持续农业的需要提出了大气ＣＯ２浓度变化下植物化感作用的优先研究领域。     

Experimental designs for the study of allelopathy

The primary aim of this paper is to discuss the methodological approaches that may best develop studies of allelopathy in the future. Laboratory studies on the functions of isolated chemicals, no matter how mechanistically detailed, cannot demonstrate the significance of allelopathy in communities. Evidence for allelopathy in natural plant communities should include information of concentrations and release rates such as demonstrated in field soils for (±)-catechin and Centaurea maculosaLam. Community-relevant evidence for allelopathy should include some manipulation of exudates such as performed in many experiments with activated carbon and gel filtration columns. Realistic evidence for allelopathy should include separation of resource effects from chemical effects; such as demonstrated by experiments with activated carbon additions, density-dependent responses to additions of competitors and chemicals, and resource addition treatments. Community-relevant evidence should link laboratory effects to field patterns and experiments; such as the links between the inhibitory effects of roots of Larrea tridentataCov., the highly spatially segregated root systems and regular above-ground spacing of this species, strong spatial disassociation of L. tridentata with other species, and removal experiments indicating that segregation of L. tridentata root systems via allelopathy may feed back to sequestering of resource use. Studies of allelopathy should consider chemically initiated shifts in microbial populations, and the effects of organic and inorganic soil components on the function of exudates; which has been done in a number of studies. Finally, studies of allelopathy should include large-scale manipulation of chemical effects; such as performed in field experiments in boreal forests in Sweden with Empetrum hermaphroditumHagerup and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestrisL.). Demonstrating the occurrence and importance of chemically mediated interactions among plants is not trivial. If even a small portion of the thousands of chemicals produced by different plant species have effects on their neighbours, then species-specific interactions, natural selection, community integration, and community coevolution may be quite different than predicted by conceptual models based solely on resource competition. Appropriate methodology is crucial for integrating chemically mediated interactions into ecological theory.     

Bacteriophages for the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections

Bacteriophages were first identified in 1915 and were used as antimicrobial agents from 1919 onwards. Despite apparent successes and widespread application, early users did not understand the nature of these agents and their efficacy remained controversial. As a result, they were replaced in the west by chemical antibiotics once these became available. However, bacteriophages remained a common therapeutic approach in parts of Eastern Europe where they are still in use. Increasing levels of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections are now driving demand for novel therapeutic approaches. In cases where antibiotic options are limited or nonexistent, the pressure for new agents is greatest. One of the most prominent areas of concern is multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a prominent member of this class and is the cause of damaging infections that can be resistant to successful treatment with conventional antibiotics. At the same time, it exhibits a number of properties that make it a suitable target for bacteriophage-based approaches, including growth in biofilms that can hydrolyse following phage infection. Pseudomonas aeruginosa provides a striking example of an infection where clinical need and the availability of a practical therapy coincide.     

The mechanism of μ-opioid receptor (MOR)-TRPV1 crosstalk in TRPV1 activation involves morphine anti-nociception,tolerance and dependence

Initiated by the activation of various nociceptors, pain is a reaction to specific stimulus modalities. The μ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists, including morphine, remain the most potent analgesics to treat patients with moderate to severe pain. However, the utility of MOR agonists is limited by the adverse effects associated with the use of these drugs, including analgesic tolerance and physical dependence. A strong connection has been suggested between the expression of the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) ion channel and the development of inflammatory hyperalgesia. TRPV1 is important for thermal nociception induction, and is mainly expressed on sensory neurons. Recent reports suggest that opioid or TRPV1 receptor agonist exposure has contrasting consequences for anti-nociception, tolerance and dependence. Chronic morphine exposure modulates TRPV1 activation and induces the anti-nociception effects of morphine. The regulation of many downstream targets of TRPV1 plays a critical role in this process, including calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP). Additional factors also include capsaicin treatment blocking the anti-nociception effects of morphine in rats, as well as opioid modulation of TRPV1 responses through the cAMP-dependent PKA pathway and MAPK signaling pathways. Here, we review new insights concerning the mechanism underlying MOR-TRPV1 crosstalk and signaling pathways and discuss the potential mechanisms of morphine-induced anti-nociception, tolerance and dependence associated with the TRPV1 signaling pathway and highlight how understanding these mechanisms might help find therapeutic targets for the treatment of morphine induced antinociception, tolerance and dependence.