Interactions of Gliocladium virens with Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium ultimum in Non-sterile Potting Medium

Interactions of Gliocladium virens with Pythium ultimum and Rhizoctonia solani under simulated in vivo conditions were observed microscopically. Different types of propagules of the three fungi were paired on nitrocellulose membranes and incubated at 25°C in non-sterile potting medium in Petri dishes for 1-5 days. Alginate-wheat bran prill were used as carriers for G. virens. Prill inoculated with G. virens and pre-incubated in potting medium for 3-5 days before placement on membranes did not inhibit the germination of Pythium sporangia, but subsequent Pythium growth was markedly stunted and distorted, with some hyphal collapse and cytoplasmic leakage. G. virens had no visible effect on older Pythium mycelium. Two to 5 days' growth of G. virens caused cytoplasmic leakage of Rhizoctonia mycelium, prevented secondary branching of hyphae and occasionally coiled around Rhizoctonia hyphae. Prill that were newly colonized by G. virens, but not prill pre-incubated for 3 or 5 days, stimulated the growth of Pythium mycelium and sporangia, Rhizoctonia mycelium and unprimed monilioid cells, probably by supplying nutrients. The timing of the interactions and their specificity for the different pathogen propagules were consistent with the production of gliotoxin by G. virens. This view was supported by in vitro experiments, in which pathogen propagules were incubated in a range of concentrations of gliotoxin in potato dextrose broth. Pythium sporangia and mycelium were inhibited by 1 or 2 μmg ml^-1, but Rhizoctonia monilioid cells and mycelium required 3-5 μmg ml^-1 for inhibition. At the lowest effective concentrations the inhibition was sometimes reversible, but propagules were killed at high concentrations of gliotoxin.     

Growth inhibition of the cereal root pathogens Rhizoctonia solani AG8, R. oryzae and Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici by a recombinant 42-kDa endochitinase from Trichoderma harzianum

The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a 42-kDa endochitinase coded by the ThEn42 gene from Trichoderma harzianum as a potential source of transgenic resistance to Rhizoctonia root rot of barley caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG8 and/or R. oryzae. The gene cThEn42 was codon optimized (GC content increased from 53.3 to 65.1%) and then synthesized to produce the modified cThEn42GC in Pichia pastoris for in vitro tests. Two expression vectors were constructed: one with the fungal signal peptide and the fungal activation peptide [FSP-FAP-cThEn(GC)] and the other with barley chitinase 26 signal peptide followed by the fungal signal and activation peptides [SP(HVChi26)-FSP-FAP-cThEn(GC)]. N-terminal sequencing showed that, of two proteins secreted into liquid medium, FSP was cleaved off faithfully in one protein and both FSP and FAP were cleaved from the other protein. Purified endochitinase provided strong in vitro inhibition of both R. solani AG8 and R. oryzae. The enzyme had an intermediate inhibitory activity against Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, and no inhibitory activity against Fusarium graminearum, F. pseudograminearum, and F. culmorum.     

Effect of Pathogen Isolate, Potato Cultivar, and Antagonist Strain on Potato Scab Severity and Biological Control

Antibiotic-producing Streptomyces spp. have shown potential in biocontrol of potato scab caused by Streptomyces scabies. However, results have been inconsistent among field trials. Pathogen isolate, antagonist strain and potato cultivar were investigated as potential sources of variation in the efficacy of potato scab biocontrol. Biocontrol success varied significantly among pathogen isolates and was not correlated with in vitro sensitivity to antibiotic inhibition. Antagonists also varied in their effectiveness as biocontrol agents, and the relative effectiveness of different antagonists varied among growing seasons. Finally, biocontrol varied among potato cultivars in the field. The diverse origins of significant variation in potato scab biocontrol suggest that consistent control in the field is likely to be difficult to achieve.     

Dominant fungi in the rhizosphere of established tea bushes and their interaction with the dominant bacteria under in situ conditions.

Species of Penicillium and Trichoderma were found to dominate the rhizosphere of established tea bushes in a detailed study conducted from various tea growing locations in India. Penicillium erythromellis, P. janthinellum, P. raistrickii, Trichoderma pseudokoningii and T. koningii were found to be closely associated with tea roots. While seasonal fluctuation was observed in the case of Penicillium spp., the population of Trichoderma spp. showed less variation during the year. Both species were sensitive to low temperatures. In general, fungi associated with the tea rhizosphere were found to prefer a mesophillic temperature range (15 °C to 35 °C). The dominant species of Penicillium and Trichoderma also exhibited tolerance to lower temperatures, i.e., 5 to 10 °C on agar plates. Most fungi were able to grow in a wide range of pH (4 to 12). Lowering of soil pH in the rhizosphere of tea bushes was positively correlated with the age of the bush and may have affected the development of a specific microbial community in the rhizosphere.

The populations of Penicillium and Trichoderma species were inversely correlated with the populations of two most dominant rhizosphere bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and B. mycoides. Both Bacillus species have been shown to have antagonistic activity against these two fungi under in vitro conditions. The present study demonstrates the existence of a similar antagonism under in situ conditions in the rhizosphere of established tea bushes.     

鱼腥草褐斑病的病原及其生物学特性

在贵州省施秉县鱼腥草上发生一种新的叶斑类病害,有危害加重趋势。为明确该病的病原菌,本研究采用组织分离法和离体接种法进行了病原菌分离培养和致病性测定,通过形态特征观察及rDNA ITS和Tef1两个核苷酸片段序列分析,将该病菌鉴定为拟盘多毛孢Pestalotiopsis sp.,系鱼腥草上首次报告。对该病原菌的生物学特性进行了研究。发现葡萄糖和蛋白胨最适于该菌菌丝体生长,菌丝体最适生长温度为25℃,最适宜pH 8,病菌在玉米粉培养基上生长最快,光照有利于菌丝体生长。     

A screening strategy of fungal biocontrol agents towards Verticillium wilt of cotton

Three hundred and seventy-three fungal isolates were obtained from the endorhiza, rhizosphere, and bulk soil of field-grown cotton plants. One hundred and five of them produced obvious inhibition zones against Verticillium dahliae Kleb., so they were selected as antagonists towards this pathogen. An assessment system was established to evaluate these 105 antagonists for their biocontrol potential and plant growth-promoting potential. Their biocontrol potential was assessed according to their in vitro antagonistic activity against V. dahliae and activities of fungal cell wall degrading enzymes including protease, cellulase, and chitinase. Their plant growth-promoting potential was assessed according to their in vitro activities of solubilizing phosphate and fixing nitrogen. Thirty-three antagonists received at least three points of the total value of assessed biocontrol potential and plant growth-promoting potential and were tested for their biocontrol efficacy and growth-promoting effect on cotton under greenhouse conditions. Twelve of them achieved positive biocontrol efficacy ranging from 8.58% to 69.78%; the conventional correlation coefficient of the biocontrol efficacy of these antagonists with their assessed biocontrol potential was 0.926. By using the screening strategy developed in this study, Fusarium oxysporum strain By125, Nectria haematococca Bx247, and Phomopsis sp. By231 were identified as potential BCAs for controlling Verticillium wilt in cotton, for they achieved biocontrol efficacy of 63.63–69.78% towards this disease and increased biomass by 18.54–62.63% under greenhouse conditions. The present study also demonstrated that the endorhiza of field-grown cotton plants may be a richer source of potential BCAs against Verticillium wilt than the rhizosphere and bulk soil.     

Ridaforolimus体外单独或联合氟康唑抗念珠菌作用的研究

由念珠菌感染引起的侵袭性念珠菌病治疗困难、死亡率高,是临床一大难题。氟康唑是目前治疗该病的一线用药,但近年来耐药菌株逐渐增多,治疗困难。因此,开发新的有效抗真菌药物或发现可提高现有抗真菌药物活性的化合物十分必要。通过体外抗真菌药物敏感性试验,我们发现TOR通路抑制剂ridaforolimus具有抗念珠菌作用。随后我们通过纸片法及微量液基稀释法评价该化合物单独或与氟康唑联合对念珠菌的抗菌效果。结果表明ridaforolimus对念珠菌有杀伤作用,在与氟康唑联合时增强了氟康唑的抗念珠菌能力,逆转了白念珠菌对氟康唑的耐药,并将氟康唑由抑菌剂转化为杀菌剂。本研究为ridaforolimus作为新型抗真菌药及氟康唑增敏剂提供了一定理论基础。     

289株VVC致病菌的菌种分布和对9种抗真菌药物敏感性

外阴阴道念珠菌病（vulvovaginal candidiasis,VVC）是女性的常见病。本研究收集了2018年1月-12月苏州地区VVC患者分离的289株念珠菌进行了病原学鉴定和包括棘白菌素类、新三唑类药物在内的9种抗真菌药物体外敏感性分析。本文采用核糖体RNA的D1/D2基因进行念珠菌菌种鉴定。参照M27-A3方法检测其对9种抗真菌药物（包括棘白菌素类及新三唑类药物）的体外敏感性。结果表明,289株VVC念珠菌菌株中,白念珠菌259株、光滑念珠菌14株、克柔念珠菌10株、热带念珠菌4株、近平滑念珠菌2株。259株VVC白念珠菌对棘白菌素类体外敏感性好,对米卡芬净敏感性高于另外两种棘白菌素类;对两性霉素B、5-氟胞嘧啶、氟康唑敏感性好;但对伊曲康唑、伏立康唑敏感性差;对泊沙康唑敏感性好。光滑念珠菌株和克柔念珠菌分离株对卡泊芬净敏感性差,但对米卡芬净、阿尼芬净敏感性好;光滑念珠菌株对两性霉素B、5-氟胞嘧啶体外敏感性好,对伊曲康唑敏感性差,对泊沙康唑敏感性好;伏立康唑对光滑念珠菌分离株MIC₅₀/₉₀为0.5/1μg/mL;克柔念珠菌对伊曲康唑、伏立康唑50%耐药;4株热带念珠菌对伊曲康唑50%耐药,对卡泊芬净、氟康唑、伏立康唑100%耐药,对其余5种抗真菌药物敏感。近平滑念珠菌对9种抗真菌药物均敏感。白念珠菌仍为苏州地区VVC的主要病原菌,其次是光滑念珠菌和克柔念珠菌,它们对临床常用药物伊曲康唑、伏立康唑、卡泊芬净敏感性差。研究结果提示对VVC病人常规进行分泌物培养、菌种鉴定,对苏州地区临床医生制定VVC治疗方案具有重要参考价值。尽管棘白菌素类、两性霉素B、5-氟胞嘧啶、新三唑类药物尚未应用到VVC的临床治疗中,但是这些药物对VVC病原体总体敏感性较好,未来有望成为氟康唑、咪唑类药物治疗失败患者的新选择。     

Development of a fast DNA-DNA hybridization method based on melting profiles in microplates

DNA-DNA hybridization is still the “gold standard” for the genotypic delineation of bacterial species. However, it is not widely used because traditional DNA-DNA hybridization techniques are rather time-consuming and not easy to perform in routine laboratories. In the present study, DNA of reference strains was digested with Sau3A, ligated with linker oligonucleotides S1/2 and in vitro amplified. The amplified DNA fragments were immobilized on MaxiSorb 96-well plates. DNA isolated from target strains was also digested with Sau3A, ligated with linker oligonuleotides P1/2 and in vitro amplified in the presence of digoxygenin modified dUTP. The labeled amplificate was hybridized to the immobilized reference DNA under isothermal conditions. Thermal denaturation curves of the DNA-DNA hybrids were obtained by using washing solutions of increasing stringency. Remaining hybrids were colorimetrically detected with anti-digoxygenin-horseradish peroxidase anti-bodies. The new method was validated with strains of the genus Pedioccocus for which DNA-DNA similarities have also been determined by the filter hybridization method. In addition, DNA-DNA hybridizations were performed with genotypically defined Enterobacter species.     

苹果连作生防细菌B6对平邑甜茶幼苗生物量及连作土壤环境的影响

以苹果连作障碍病原真菌层出镰刀菌、串珠镰刀菌、尖孢镰刀菌和腐皮镰刀菌为靶标菌,通过平板对峙法对分离自苹果根际土壤的细菌进行反复筛选比较,对筛选出的拮抗效果最优的菌株进行形态学、生理生化特征和16S rDNA序列分析鉴定,并于盆栽条件下探讨其菌肥对平邑甜茶幼苗生长及连作土壤环境的影响.结果表明: 菌株B6对上述4种病原真菌的抑菌率最高,分别达到71.8%、70.1%、72.6%、91.5%.经鉴定,菌株B6为甲基营养型芽孢杆菌.盆栽试验表明,与连作处理(CK₁)相比,B6菌肥处理(T)可以不同程度地促进平邑甜茶幼苗生物量的增加,其中地径、鲜质量和干质量分别显著增加18.3%、51.2%;显著提高连作土壤中可培养细菌和放线菌数量,使真菌数量下降为连作土壤的37.7%,促使土壤类型向细菌型转化;显著提高连作土壤中的蔗糖酶、磷酸酶、脲酶和过氧化氢酶的活性,增长率分别为37.3%、24.0%、42.9%、49.4%.表明B6菌肥可以优化苹果连作障碍土壤中可培养微生物群落结构,提高土壤酶活性,增加平邑甜茶幼苗生物量.     

-alkoxyphenol leukotriene B4 receptor antagonists: effect of a chroman carboxylic acid.

Several -alkoxyphenols containing a chroman carboxylic acid sidechain have been prepared as antagonists of leukotriene B₄ receptors. These antagonists were compared to their parent alkoxyphenols containing the tetrazole acid sidechain. These chroman containing antagonists retained their binding potency for human neutrophil receptors; however, showed enhanced potency against guinea pig receptors in both in vitro and in vivo systems.     

Cryopreservation of the first-stage larvae of trichostrongylid nematode parasites

First stage (L1) larvae of Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Ostertagia circumcincta can be cryopreserved in the presence of DMSO using a two-step freezing protocol involving an initial period at −80°C prior to transfer to liquid nitrogen. Thawed L1 larvae continue development in vitro producing third stage (L3) larvae that are infective to sheep when dosed per os. Establishment rates for L3 larvae grown from thawed L1 larvae were 40 and 80% for H. contortus and T. colubriformis, respectively. There was no difference in survival or infectivity between benzimidazole (BZ)-susceptible and BZ-resistant H. contortus isolates and cryopreservation caused no shift in their BZ-resistance status as indicated in an in vitro larval development assay. Cryopreservation also had no effect on the sensitivity of these isolates to the avermectins or levamisole in vitro. High survival rates (60–70%), good levels of establishment and the stability of anthelmintic resistance status of isolates indicate that little if any selection occurs during the cryopreservation process. L1 larvae of all 3 species have been successfully recovered after 16 months storage in liquid nitrogen, cultured to the L3 stage and established in sheep.     

昆虫肠道木霉及其对芒果炭疽病菌拮抗作用

为获得优良生防木霉菌株,本研究以昆虫肠道为样本,从中分离鉴定木霉菌株,并以芒果炭疽病菌盘长孢状刺盘孢为靶标菌,通过对峙培养、挥发性物质和非挥发性物质筛选拮抗效果最优的木霉菌株,测定其孢子悬浮液对芒果炭疽病的室内防效研究.结果 显示,从105份昆虫肠道中共分离获得10株木霉,通过形态学特征和Tef1-Rpb2双基因联合建...     

Interaction Between the Entomopathogens Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus and the Mycoparasites Clonostachys spp., Trichoderma harzianum and Lecanicillium lecanii

Biocontrol agents of numerous insect pests and fungal pathogens exist but virtually nothing is known about their interaction if used simultaneously. Our objective was to investigate the compatibility of the entomopathogens Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, and the broad host-range mycoparasites Clonostachys spp., Trichoderma harzianum and Lecanicillium lecanii. In vitro host-range tests revealed that M. anisopliae was highly susceptible to all mycoparasites tested. B. bassiana was attacked by Clonostachys rosea, and P. fumosoroseus. was resistant to mycoparasites. M. anisopliae but not P. fumosoroseus killed nymphs of Bemisia tabaci in bioassays. B. bassiana and M. anisopliae proved lethal to Cosmopolites sordidus, Diatraea saccharalis and Sitophilus oryzae. Coapplication of mycoparasites with entomopathogens did not affect their biocontrol efficacy in vivo, although the reisolation success of entomopathogens could be significantly reduced, especially from smaller insect species. Trichoderma spp. were reisolated from mycoparasite-treated insects more frequently than C. rosea. The coapplication of the highly susceptible M. anisopliae generally enhanced mycoparasite recovery. Mycofungicide preparations caused some insect mortality but less than a copper hydroxide fungicide which is still permissible in organic agriculture. We concluded that the tested entomopathogens and mycoparasites are compatible elements of integrated pest management.     

Trichoderma spp. as elicitors of wheat plant defense responses against Septoria tritici

Leaf blotch of wheat is a widespread and highly active disease that affects wheat production. In addition to the use of chemicals and proper cultivation methods, microbial antagonists are used to control plant pathogens. Trichoderma spp. stimulate a systemic induced response in plants. Therefore, the efficacy of Trichoderma spp. against wheat leaf blotch was evaluated under greenhouse conditions. The susceptible plants were sprayed with Septoria tritici conidiospores. In order to select an efficient method of pretreatment with Trichoderma spp., leaf spraying and seed coating with 14 isolates were tested in 2003 and 2004. The extent of leaf necrosis area and pycnidial coverage was estimated. Antagonism was assessed by the capacity of each Trichoderma spp. isolate to restrict the progress of leaf blotch, 21 days after inoculation. Of the two methods, seed coating was more efficacious against leaf blotch than leaf spraying. Amongst the 14 isolates tested, the isolate prepared from T. harzianum (Th5) produced the highest level of protection. None of the treatments caused changes in plant stem diameter or dry weight. Trichoderma spp. did not get into leaves while S. tritici was present, even in asymptomatic leaf extracts. In addition, the leaf apoplast antifungal proteolytic activity was measured in plants 7, 15, and 22 days after sowing. This antifungal action decreased in plants only inoculated with S. tritici, but increased in those grown from seeds coated with the T. harzianum (Th5) isolate. This increase conferred resistance to the susceptible wheat cultivar. The endogenous germin-like protease inhibitor coordinated the proteolytic action. These results suggest that T. harzianum stimulates a biochemical systemic induced response against leaf blotch.     

Use of Coniothyrium minitans and other microorganisms for reducing Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Biological control agents (BCAs) Bacillus subtilis QST 713, Coniothyrium minitans CON/M/91-08, Streptomyces lydicus WYEC 108, and Trichoderma harzianum T-22 were evaluated for their efficacy in the reduction of survival of sclerotia and production of apothecia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum under controlled environments. A growth chamber assay was conducted where 25 sclerotia were buried in pots containing potting soil, and BCAs were drenched into the soil at various concentrations, and five soybean seeds were planted in each pot. The presence and number of S. sclerotiorum apothecia were recorded daily. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum sclerotia were retrieved six weeks after seeding and viability was assessed on water agar plates. All BCAs were effective in reducing S. sclerotiorum inoculum at various efficacies. In general, efficacy was positively correlated with the rate of application. At the rate of application when the efficacy did not change significantly by increasing the rate, the BCAs had various reductions of apothecia and sclerotia. B. subtilis reduced apothecia and sclerotia by 91.2 and 29.6%, respectively; C. minitans reduced apothecia and sclerotia by 81.2 and 50%, respectively; Streptomyces lydicus reduced apothecia and sclerotia by 100 and 29.6%, respectively; Trichoderma harzianum reduced apothecia and sclerotia by 80.5 and 31.7%, respectively. In addition, the commercial strain of C. minitans CON/M/91-08, and a wild Michigan strain of C. minitans W09 were compared for their growth and sclerotial reduction. W09 had faster growth rate than the commercial strain, indicating potential diversities of biological control strains to be studied.     

一株南海指海绵共附生真菌多样性及其抗菌活性

本研究通过采用6种不同的培养基对南海指海绵上的共附生真菌进行平板涂布法分离培养,结合ITS-rDNA基因序列特征和形态学特征进行鉴定来研究海绵共附生真菌多样性。共分离培养出55株(21种)真菌菌株,优势菌属为木霉菌属Trichoderma sp.(31株),其中的哈茨木霉Trichoderma harzianum 22株作为优势菌种,占真菌菌株总数的40%。其余真菌则属于枝孢菌属Cladosporium、迈耶氏酵母属Meyerozyma、茎点霉属Phoma、红酵母属Rhodotorula、青霉菌属Penicillium、曲霉属Aspergillus等10个属,还有两株未鉴定到种的子囊菌。选取金黄色葡萄球菌Staphylococcus aureus等7种病原指示菌,采用琼脂扩散法对21种真菌的代表性菌株进行抗菌活性筛选,其中有3种真菌至少对一种指示菌表现出抑菌效果,占菌株种类总数的11%。     

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of combined Thromboxane receptor antagonists/thromboxane synthase inhibitors: Pyridine-containing amino-prostanoids

Incorporation of a pyridine miety into amino-prostanoids, previously shown to be thromboxane receptor antagonists, has provided a series of compounds which also show potent thromboxane synthase inhibitory activity. GR 83783, an ⁿpropyl-substituted pyridine demonstrates these properties both in vitro and in vivo.     

Specificity of the action of parathyroid hormone upon mitochondrial metabolism: Cyanogen bromide-derived parathyroid-hormone peptides

The mitochondrial response to cyanogen bromide-treated parathyroid hormone was studied as a means of testing further the relationship between the structure and the effects in vitro of this hormone. The treated hormone and appropriate control hormone were tested in a standard bioassay and in a mitochondrial assay system in vitro.

Reaction of more than 90 % of the methionine residues in the hormone resulted in total inactivation of the hormone both in vivo and in vitro. This result disagrees with previously published data.     

Translating tissue culture results into animal models: the case of Salmonella typhimurium

Investigators use both in vitro and in vivo models to better understand infectious disease processes. Both models are extremely useful in research, but there exists a significant gap in complexity between the highly controlled reductionist in vitro systems and the largely undefined, but relevant variability encompassing in vivo animal models. In an effort to understand how Salmonella initiates disease at the intestinal epithelium, in vitro models have served a useful purpose in allowing investigators to identify molecular mechanisms responsible for Salmonella invasion of host cells and stimulation of host inflammatory responses. Identification of these molecular mechanisms has generated hypotheses that are now being tested using in vivo models. Translating the in vitro findings into the context of an animal model and subsequently to human disease remains a difficult challenge for any disease process.