红花水提取液对小鼠系统性硬皮病的防治作用及其机制*

目的:研究红花水提取液对系统性硬皮病(SSc)模型小鼠的防治作用及相关机制研究。方法:60只 BALB /C小鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、强的松组、红花低、中、高剂量组,每组10只。对照组背部注射生理盐水,其余5组均背部皮下注射100 μl浓度为 200 μg /ml的注射用盐酸博来霉素,每天1次,连续注射28 d,制备SSc模型;造模同时对照组和模型组给予生理盐水10 ml/kg灌胃,强的松组给予强的松溶液4.5 mg/kg (10 ml/kg)灌胃,红花低、中、高剂量组分别给予红花1.5、3、6 g/kg (10 ml/kg)灌胃,各组均连续灌胃28 d。给药28 d后,取各组小鼠背部注射博来霉素区皮肤组织切片测量真皮厚度,采用水解法检测皮肤组织羟脯氨酸(HYP)含量;采用ELISA法检测皮肤组织结缔组织生长因子(CTGF)、转化生长因子-β(TGF-β)含量及血清白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、白细胞介素-17(IL-17)水平。结果:与对照组比较,模型组皮肤真皮厚度,皮肤组织CTGF、TGF-β、HYP含量及血清 IL-6、IL-17 水平明显升高(P＜0.05);与模型组比较,强的松组、红花低、中、高剂量组皮肤真皮厚度,皮肤组织 CTGF、TGF-β、HYP含量及血清 IL-6、IL-17水平明显降低(P＜0.05)。结论:红花水提取液可改善SSc小鼠皮肤状况(或真皮厚度),其作用机制可能与减轻免疫炎症反应有关。     

Genome Similarity Implies that Citrus-Parasitic Burrowing Nematodes do not Represent a Unique Species

Burrowing nematodes from Central America, Dominican Republic, Florida, Guadeloupe, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico were characterized for their ability to parasitize citrus, but citrus parasites were found only in Florida. Sequence tag sites originally amplified from a citrus-parasitic burrowing nematode were polymorphic among 37 burrowing nematode isolates and were not correlated with citrus parasitism, nematode isolate collection site, or amplification of a 2.4-kb sequence tag site (DK#1). Results of a RAPD analysis and characterization of the isozymes phosphoglucose isomerase, lactate dehydrogenase, and malate dehydrogenase indicated that the burrowing nematode isolates were highly similar. Citrus parasitism in Florida appears to be associated with limited changes in the burrowing nematode genome. Findings did not substantiate a previous report that R. citrophilus was present in Hawaii. Overall, these data do not support assignment of sibling species status to burrowing nematodes that differ with respect to citrus parasitism.     

Population Dynamics of Heterodera glycines and Soybean Response in Soils Treated with Selected Nematicides and Herbicides

Two field experiments were conducted in two locations to determine the effects of the nematicides aldicarb, phenamiphos, and ethoprop and/or the herbicides alachlor, linuron, or metribuzin on the population dynamics of Heterodera glycines and soybean growth and yield. Population densities of H. glycines were greater, at some time during the growing season, in several treatments with alachlor alone and in combination with nematicides. Numbers of H. glycines at harvest were greater in plots treated with aldicarb than in those treated with ethoprop or phenamiphos. The numbers in aldicarb treated plots were generally reduced when plots also received a herbicide. Soybean yields were negatively correlated with numbers of H. glycines eggs and juveniles in early to mid season but positively correlated with late season population densities.     

熊果酸对糖尿病小鼠心肌病变的作用及其机制

目的：研究熊果酸对高脂饮食结合小剂量链脲佐菌素（STZ）诱导的糖尿病小鼠心肌病的影响,探讨其可能的作用机制。方法：雄性ICR小鼠30只,随机分为对照组（n=10）和造模组（n=20）,对照组和造模组分别以普通饲料及高脂饲料饲养,连续6周。造模组腹腔注射STZ连续5 d,对照组腹腔注射相应溶剂,9 d后测空腹血糖（FBG）,高于11.1 mmol/L视为糖尿病模型。20只成功造模小鼠随机分为模型组和熊果酸组（n=10）。各组连续灌胃给药（熊果酸100 mg/kg或相应溶剂）8周。测定FBG、体重、全心重和左心室重,计算心脏质量指数（HMI）和左室质量指数（LVMI）;测定血清肌酸激酶（CK）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）水平;测定心肌组织超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活力和丙二醛（MDA）含量;HE染色观察心肌病理改变;免疫组化法测定NOD样受体蛋白3（NLRP3）、白介素-1β（IL-1β）的蛋白质表达。结果：与正常组比较,模型组HMI、LVMI、FBG、CK、LDH、MDA水平显著升高;SOD活力显著降低。HE染色显示,模型组小鼠心肌纤维排列紊乱,细胞水肿、肥大,细胞间质大量炎性细胞浸润;免疫组化显示,模型组小鼠心肌组织NLRP3和IL-1β蛋白质表达显著增加;熊果酸组小鼠的上述变化明显改善。结论：熊果酸对高脂饲料结合小剂量链脲佐菌素诱导的糖尿病小鼠心肌损伤有明显的改善作用,其机制与抑制NLRP3炎症小体活化,减少IL-1β生成,减轻心肌组织炎性损伤有关。     

Plant Nutrient Partitioning in Coffee Infected with Meloidogyne konaensis

Two experiments were conducted to assess nutrient partitioning in coffee (Coffea arabica cv. Typica land race Guatemala) infected with Meloidogyne konaensis. Nutrient levels were quantified from soil, roots, and leaves. In the first experiment, 500-cm3 aliquants of a Kealakekua Andisol were infested with four initial population densities of M. konaensis ranging from 0 to 1,500 freshly hatched second-stage juveniles. Coffee plants (~3 months old) were transplanted into the soil and grown for 25 weeks. Plants responded to nematode infection with decreases (P < 0.05) in concentrations of Ca, Mg, P, and B and increases (P < 0.05) in concentrations of Mn, Cu, Zn, and Ca/B in the roots. Mn and Cu uptake by roots was decreased (P < 0.05) by nematode infection even though concentrations of Mn and Cu increased (P < 0.05) in the roots. Concentrations of Ca and Mg also decreased (P < 0.05) in the leaves, whereas the concentration of Zn increased (P < 0.05). In the second experiment, the soil was amended with Zn at 0 or 5 mg/kg soil and infested with M. konaensis at 0, 100, 1,000 or 10,000 eggs/1,200 cm³ soil. Three-month-old coffee seedlings of similar height were weighed and transplanted into pots and then placed in a greenhouse and grown under 50% shade for 23 weeks. Concentrations of P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, B, and Zn increased in roots of nematode-free plants growing in Zn-amended soil. The beneficial effects due to the Zn amendment were not apparent in nematode-infected plants. Mn, B, and Zn uptake by coffee roots and P and B concentrations in coffee leaves responded similarly. Management of M. konaensis is necessary to achieve optimal nutrient management in coffee.     

Low-Temperature Scanning Electron Microscope Observations of the Meloidogyne incognita Egg Mass: The Gelatinous Matrix and Embryo Development

The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita was cultured monoxenically on excised tomato roots. Galls and egg masses were observed daily using a light microscope. Two phases were distinguished in the gelatinous matrix of the egg mass: a translucent, amorphous material on the surface of the egg mass and a denser, layered phase in which nematode eggs were deposited. Egg masses were also cryofixed, fractured, and observed as frozen, hydrated specimens on a cold stage in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). In the SEM, the layered phase appeared as a meshwork of fibrils that became more loosely associated as the gelatinous matrix aged: Small pearl-like bodies were observed along the fibers of gelatinous matrix. The egg shell surface and several stages of embryo development, including the one-cell stage, initial cleavages, blastula, gastrula, tadpole stage, elongation, and molt of the first-stage juvenile within the egg shell, were observed and photographed with this technique. The developmental events observed were consistent with those described in other nematode species with different techniques.     

A New Cytotoxic Oxyneolignan from the Roots andStems of Clausena lansium (Rutaceae)*

A new oxyneolignan, claulignan (1), together with seven known compounds (2-8), were isolated from the methanol extract of the roots and stems of Clausena lansium. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR experiments and mass spectrometry. Compounds 2-8 were isolated from the genus Clausena for the first time. Compounds 1 and 6 showed cytotoxicity against human cervical cancer HeLa cell line with the IC50values of 2503 and 5399μM, respectively. Compound 3 exhibited antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay with the EC50 value of 26896g·kg-1.     

Nectar sugar composition in angiosperms from Chaco and Patagonia (Argentina): an animal visitor's matter?

 We relate nectar sugar composition with floral visitors in samples from two biogeographic regions from Argentina: Chaco (99 spp. from its southern region) and Patagonia (48 spp. from its central region), using our own data published in earlier papers. The variables to be compared were sugar ratio and sucrose percentage. Differences in the sugar composition were observed when comparing both regions. Bee- and butterfly-visited Patagonian species showed lower sucrose percentages and sugar ratios than Chaquean species; i.e., a convergence in sugar composition was not verified. Moth-visited species showed a wide range of sucrose proportions and sugar ratios in both regions with no significant differences between them. As the differences found in sugar ratio between Chaco and Patagonia, according to the predominant pollinator guilds, may have been influenced by the sample size, we searched for similarities in sugar ratios between plants with the same visitor type in a comparative way, comparing our data pooled together against data by Baker and Baker's (1983a). Our data do not agree with theirs, i.e., no trends can be drawn for bees, moths, and butterflies sugar preferences. The exceptions were the hummingbird-visited species that showed a similar pattern in both cases, i.e., there is a convergence among plants offering nectar with a predominance of sucrose. To evaluate whether closely related species within a family have similar nectar composition and flower visitors, regardless of their region, sugar proportions were compared in several families. Hexose nectars were predominant in Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Solanaceae, and Verbenaceae, while sucrose nectars prevailed in Bromeliaceae and Onagraceae. Nectar composition seems to be a more conservative trait than flower morphology. This may be a reason to explain the absence of a convergence in sugar composition between plants growing in different biogeographical regions that share the same animal visitor guilds. Received August 27, 2002; accepted December 17, 2002 Published online: June 2, 2003     

Qualitative Characterization of the Aqueous Fraction from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Algae Using 2D Gas Chromatography with Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry

Two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry is a powerful tool for identifying and quantifying chemical components in complex mixtures. It is often used to analyze gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, bio-diesel and the organic fraction of bio-crude/bio-oil. In most of those analyses, the first dimension of separation is non-polar, followed by a polar separation. The aqueous fractions of bio-crude and other aqueous samples from biofuels production have been examined with similar column combinations. However, sample preparation techniques such as derivatization, solvent extraction, and solid-phase extraction were necessaryprior to analysis. In this study, aqueous fractions obtained from the hydrothermal liquefaction of algae were characterized by two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry without prior sample preparation techniques using a polar separation in the first dimension followed by a non-polar separation in the second. Two-dimensional plots from this analysis were compared with those obtained from the more traditional column configuration. Results from qualitative characterization of the aqueous fractions of algal bio-crude are discussed in detail. The advantages of using a polar separation followed by a non-polar separation for characterization of organics in aqueous samples by two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry are highlighted.     

Lectin Binding to Radopholus citrophilus and R. similis Proteins

Lectin-binding glycoproteins in seven populations of two burrowing nematode sibling species were probed with five different biotinylated lectins on Western blots, and differences were correlated with nematode ability to parasitize citrus and to overcome citrus rootstock resistance. Banding patterns of molecular weight standards were fit best by an exponential decay function, and a predictive equation was used to estimate molecular weights (r² = 0.999). A band (131 kDa) that labeled with the lectin Concanavalin A (Con A) occurred in extracts from cuticles and egg shells of populations of Radopholus citrophilus that parasitize citrus. Wheat germ agglutin labeled a band (58 kDa) in aqueous homogenates of populations that reproduce in roots of citrus rootstock normally resistant to burrowing nematodes. The two sibling species R. citrophilus and R. similis were distinguished by a high molecular weight Con A-labeled band (608 kDa) from cuticle and egg shells. Probing blots with the lectin Limulus polyphemus agglutinin indicated that each population contained a band (12-16 kDa) specifically inhibited by the addition of 25 mM neuraminic acid, suggesting that glycoproteins with sialic acid moieties are present in burrowing nematodes.     

SR 59230A对心衰大鼠心脏MicroRNAs表达的影响

目的：观察β3肾上腺素受体（β3-AR）对心衰大鼠心脏MicroRNAs表达的影响及可能的作用机制。方法：大鼠冠脉左前降支结扎造成心衰模型,假手术大鼠只穿线不结扎。造模成功大鼠再随机分为：心衰组（CHF control group）和心衰+SR 59230A组（CHF+SR group）;假手术大鼠也随机分为假手术组（Sham group）和假手术+SR 59230A组（Sham+SR group）。Sham+SR组和CHF+SR组每天两次腹腔注射SR （85 mmol/L,1 ml）,连续注射7周。结果：①miScript miRNA PCR Arrays显示,在体阻断β3-AR后,假手术组与心衰组有18种MicroRNAs共同表达下调;经文献比对,与NF-κB相关的MicroRNAs有6种,分别为miR-125b-5p,miR-143-3p,miR-145-5p,miR-26a-5p,miR-30a-5p和miR-320-5p。②大鼠心脏组织切片观察到NF-κB在心衰大鼠心肌细胞核与细胞质中均有分布,而p53在心肌细胞质分布较多,NF-κB和p53表达明显高于假手术组（P<0.05）。阻断β3-AR后,心衰组心脏NF-κB和p53表达显著减少（P<0.05）,而假手术组NF-κB和p53表达略增加（P<0.05）。③Western blot结果发现心衰大鼠NF-κB p65表达高于假手术组（P<0.05）,给予β3-AR阻断剂后,心衰组心脏NF-κB p65和p53-Phospho-Serine 15表达均下降（P<0.05）,而假手术组心脏阻断β3-AR后,NF-κB、p53和p53-Phospho-Serine 15表达均增加（P<0.05）。结论：阻断β3肾上腺素受体有利于缓解心衰大鼠心脏的损伤;β3-AR可引起MicroRNAs表达变化且与NF-κB信号通路有关。     

The importance of associations with saprotrophic non-Rhizoctonia fungi among fully mycoheterotrophic orchids is currently under-estimated: novel evidence from sub-tropical Asia

Background and Aims Most fully mycoheterotrophic (MH) orchids investigated to date are mycorrhizal with fungi that simultaneously form ectomycorrhizas with forest trees. Only a few MH orchids are currently known to be mycorrhizal with saprotrophic, mostly wood-decomposing, fungi instead of ectomycorrhizal fungi. This study provides evidence that the importance of associations between MH orchids and saprotrophic non-Rhizoctonia fungi is currently under-estimated.Methods Using microscopic techniques and molecular approaches, mycorrhizal fungi were localized and identified for seven MH orchid species from four genera and two subfamilies, Vanilloideae and Epidendroideae, growing in four humid and warm sub-tropical forests in Taiwan. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope natural abundances of MH orchids and autotrophic reference plants were used in order to elucidate the nutritional resources utilized by the orchids.Key Results Six out of the seven MH orchid species were mycorrhizal with either wood- or litter-decaying saprotrophic fungi. Only one orchid species was associated with ectomycorrhizal fungi. Stable isotope abundance patterns showed significant distinctions between orchids mycorrhizal with the three groups of fungal hosts.Conclusions Mycoheterotrophic orchids utilizing saprotrophic non-Rhizoctonia fungi as a carbon and nutrient source are clearly more frequent than hitherto assumed. On the basis of this kind of nutrition, orchids can thrive in deeply shaded, light-limiting forest understoreys even without support from ectomycorrhizal fungi. Sub-tropical East Asia appears to be a hotspot for orchids mycorrhizal with saprotrophic non-Rhizoctonia fungi.     

羽化和性成熟时中华蜜蜂蜂王和雄蜂转录组分析

【目的】为了系统了解中华蜜蜂Apis cerana cerana蜂王和雄蜂转录组特征,丰富蜜蜂转录组数据信息。【方法】本研究利用高通量测序的方法分别检测中华蜜蜂蜂王和雄蜂刚出房、性成熟时期以及性成熟期蜂王生殖系统和雄蜂生殖系统之间转录组表达差异。【结果】经过测序获得质量值不低于20的碱基比例（Q20）均高于90%;所有reads组装成90 839个unigenes,平均长度1 549 bp;基于5个数据库(NR,Swiss Prot,GO,COG和KEGG)进行比对,共有45 112个unigenes被注释。差异基因表达分析发现,与刚出房时相比,性成熟的蜂王和雄蜂均在表皮蛋白、细胞色素P450、气味结合蛋白等家族基因上存在显著差异表达,而且这些差异表达基因与蜜蜂生长发育和性成熟过程中蜜蜂骨骼发育、生殖系统发育、嗅觉发育等方面有关;性成熟蜂王与性成熟雄蜂之间以及它们生殖系统之间在气味结合蛋白基因方面存在显著差异。【结论】结果表明,中华蜜蜂在性成熟过程中,体内大量基因的表达发生了变化。这些结果揭示了中华蜜蜂性成熟发育的整体基因表达特征,在得到大量转录组unigene序列的同时,获得了一批与蜜蜂性成熟有关的基因序列,为深入开展中华蜜蜂生长发育与繁殖研究提供了丰富的数据资源。     

Transient Gene Expression in Tobacco using Gibson Assembly and the Gene Gun

In order to target a single protein to multiple subcellular organelles, plants typically duplicate the relevant genes, and express each gene separately using complex regulatory strategies including differential promoters and/or signal sequences. Metabolic engineers and synthetic biologists interested in targeting enzymes to a particular organelle are faced with a challenge: For a protein that is to be localized to more than one organelle, the engineer must clone the same gene multiple times. This work presents a solution to this strategy: harnessing alternative splicing of mRNA. This technology takes advantage of established chloroplast and peroxisome targeting sequences and combines them into a single mRNA that is alternatively spliced. Some splice variants are sent to the chloroplast, some to the peroxisome, and some to the cytosol. Here the system is designed for multiple-organelle targeting with alternative splicing. In this work, GFP was expected to be expressed in the chloroplast, cytosol, and peroxisome by a series of rationally designed 5’ mRNA tags. These tags have the potential to reduce the amount of cloning required when heterologous genes need to be expressed in multiple subcellular organelles. The constructs were designed in previous work¹¹, and were cloned using Gibson assembly, a ligation independent cloning method that does not require restriction enzymes. The resultant plasmids were introduced into Nicotiana benthamiana epidermal leaf cells with a modified Gene Gun protocol. Finally, transformed leaves were observed with confocal microscopy.     

亲本体色及环境因子对长绿飞虱成虫体色、寿命与繁殖的影响

【目的】明确亲本体色和环境因素对长绿飞虱Saccharosydne procerus F1代成虫体色的影响及不同体色成虫个体在不同环境中产卵量、交配率、成虫寿命的变化。【方法】长绿飞虱不同体色(黑化与非黑化)亲本所产若虫在室内经不同温度(30℃和22℃)和光周期(20L∶4D和16L∶8D)组合处理,观察成虫黑化率;将不同体色的成虫同样经历这些温度和光周期组合处理,记录成虫寿命、产卵量和交配率变化,分析不同因素对其的贡献率。【结果】长绿飞虱不同体色亲本所产若虫在实验室内经过上述温度和光周期组合处理后,成虫黑化率变化范围为18.6%~60.8%。若虫期高温、长光照以及黑化亲本均显著增加子代中黑化个体的比例。低温短光照条件下非黑化个体寿命显著长于黑化个体,高温长光照则相反;黑化个体交配率与产卵量随着温度和光照时间的下降而下降,非黑化个体的交配率与产卵量则主要受到光周期影响。统计分析表明,在几种因子中,温度对长绿飞虱的交配率变化贡献率最高,为39.1%;光周期对长绿飞虱体色及产卵量变化贡献率最高,分别达到42.5%和47.4%。体色与温度交互作用对长绿飞虱雌、雄成虫寿命的贡献率最高,分别可达50.3%和60.6%。【结论】本研究表明,若虫期光周期对长绿飞虱成虫体色变化影响最显著,且该虫体色变化在一定程度上改变了其成虫生物学特性,提高了该虫对环境的适应性。     

长足大竹象内切葡聚糖酶最适反应条件的确定及其关键基因的筛选

【目的】本研究旨在阐明长足大竹象Cyrtotrachelus buqueti内切葡聚糖酶最适反应条件,并挖掘长足大竹象消化道内切葡聚糖酶关键基因。【方法】采用3,5-二硝基水杨酸(DNS)法,设置以羧甲基纤维素钠(MC)为反应底物的单因素和正交优化试验测定内切葡聚糖酶反应的最适条件。通过对长足大竹象发育转录组内切葡聚糖酶编码基因进行生物信息学分析,并将基因表达量与酶活性数据进行关联分析,筛选出发育时期中关键内切葡聚糖酶基因,采用实时荧光定量PCR对不同发育时期长足大竹象消化道内切葡聚糖酶关键基因表达量进行验证确定。【结果】研究表明,长足大竹象成虫内切葡聚糖酶的最适反应条件为：温度45℃,pH 5.6,底物浓度2%,酶比活力59.85 U/mg(雌)和52.87 U/mg(雄);幼虫内切葡聚糖酶的最适反应条件为：温度35℃,pH 4.8,底物浓度2％,酶比活力38.34 U/mg。筛选出长足大竹象消化道内切葡聚糖酶关键基因c64192_g1和c57057_g1。实时荧光定量PCR结果表明c64192_g1和c57507_g1基因在成虫时期表达量高于幼虫。【结论】长足大竹象雌雄成虫的内切葡聚糖酶比活力均高于幼虫,存在两个影响内切葡聚糖酶活性的关键基因c64192_g1和c57507_g1。这些研究成果丰富了内切葡聚糖酶来源,并为长足大竹象内切葡聚糖酶异源表达提供数据参考,进而为木质纤维素预处理和生物质能源的开发利用奠定理论基础。     

仿爱夜蛾成虫对敦煌莫高窟模拟洞窟壁画的选择趋性

为探明仿爱夜蛾Apopestes spectrum对莫高窟壁画的损害过程, 给壁画病害昆虫的有效防治提供科学依据。本文结合莫高窟洞窟的微气候环境监测, 在置于莫高窟第53窟中模拟洞窟中观察了仿爱夜蛾成虫的空间分布特点及其对不同颜料壁画的选择趋性。微气候环境监测结果表明, 在8-9月仿爱夜蛾成虫发生高峰期, 模拟洞窟内和莫高窟第53窟内的平均温度分别为17.97℃和18.02℃, 相对湿度分别为37.04%和37.13%, 两者非常接近, 说明模拟洞窟可以较好地模拟自然洞窟内的气象环境条件。空间分布观察结果表明, 仿爱夜蛾在模拟洞窟内不同方位壁画表面的分布数量差异较大, 其中在南壁上部和东壁两侧分布数量最多, 而在底部、 顶部和西壁上部分布数量最少。不同颜料壁画选择趋性测定结果表明, 仿爱夜蛾成虫对不同颜料壁画的选择偏好差异明显, 其中在靛蓝、 铁红和墨壁画色块上的数量最多, 其次为铅丹和石绿色块。Pearson相关性分析显示, 壁画颜料明度与其表面仿爱夜蛾的分布数量呈极显著负相关, 表明壁画颜料明度是影响仿爱夜蛾成虫对不同颜料趋性的重要因素之一。本研究对于其他石窟寺病害昆虫损坏壁画机理研究具有重要的借鉴意义。     

Vitreous TIMP-1 levels associate with neovascularization and TGF-β2 levels but not with fibrosis in the clinical course of proliferative diabetic retinopathy

In proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and CCN2 (connective tissue growth factor; CTGF) cause blindness by neovascularization and subsequent fibrosis. This angio-fibrotic switch is associated with a shift in the balance between vitreous levels of CCN2 and VEGF in the eye. Here, we investigated the possible involvement of other important mediators of fibrosis, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2, and of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and MMP-9, in the natural course of PDR. TIMP-1, activated TGF-β2, CCN2 and VEGF levels were measured by ELISA in 78 vitreous samples of patients with PDR (n = 28), diabetic patients without PDR (n = 24), and patients with the diabetes-unrelated retinal conditions macular hole (n = 10) or macular pucker (n = 16), and were related to MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity on zymograms and to clinical data, including degree of intra-ocular neovascularization and fibrosis. TIMP-1, CCN2 and VEGF levels, but not activated TGF-β2 levels, were significantly increased in the vitreous of diabetic patients, with the highest levels in PDR patients. CCN2 and the CCN2/VEGF ratio were the strongest predictors of degree of fibrosis. In diabetic patients with or without PDR, activated TGF-β2 levels correlated with TIMP-1 levels, whereas in PDR patients, TIMP-1 levels, MMP-2 and proMMP-9 were associated with degree of neovascularization, like VEGF levels, but not with fibrosis. We confirm here our previous findings that retinal fibrosis in PDR patients is significantly correlated with vitreous CCN2 levels and the CCN2/VEGF ratio. In contrast, TIMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 appear to have a role in the angiogenic phase rather than in the fibrotic phase of PDR.     

Influence of formulation additives on the desiccation tolerance and storage stability of blastospores of the entomopathogenic fungus Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes)

Blastospores of the entomopathogenic fungus Paecilomyces fumosoroseus were formulated with 10% lactose/1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) or various compositions of Fantesk™, a starch-oil composite prepared by jet-cooking an aqueous dispersion of starch and oil. Storage stability studies with wet blastospore formulations showed that maximum blastospore survival was achieved during low-temperature storage at -20°C with lactose/BSA formulations or starch-oil formulations supplemented with sucrose, zein protein, and whole milk. Under conditions of wet storage at -20°C, the addition of whole milk to starch-oil formulations significantly improved blastospore stability while the addition of sucrose or zein protein had no effect. In freeze-drying studies, no significant differences were seen in blastospore desiccation tolerance or in stability during storage at either 4 or -20°C when blastospores of P. fumosoroseus were formulated with lactose/BSA or starch-oil formulations with sucrose, zein protein, and whole milk. Freeze-dried blastospore formulations stored at 4°C showed no loss in blastospore viability after 3 months storage and blastospore formulations stored at -20°C showed no loss in viability during the entire 12-month study. For freeze-dried, starch-oil formulations, sucrose was shown to improve blastospore survival during the freeze-drying process. The addition of whole milk to starch-oil formulations significantly improved the stability of freeze-dried blastospores stored at 4°C. Compared to unformulated blastospore suspensions that showed blastospore settling after 30 min, suspensions of blastospores formulated with lactose/BSA or starch-oil composites remained stable for up to 2 h after mixing.