Impact of Allee effect on an eco-epidemiological system

In this paper, we propose a general ratio-dependent prey-predator model with disease in predator subject to the strong Allee effect in prey. We obtain the complete dynamics of both models: (a) full model with Allee effect; (b) full model without Allee effect. Model (a) may have more than one interior equilibrium point, but model (b) has only one interior equilibrium point. Numerical results reveal that the coexistence of all the populations at the endemic state is possible for both the models. But for the model with Allee effect, the coexistence can be destroyed by an increased supply of alternative food for the predators. It can also be proved that for the full model with Allee effect, the disease can be suppressed under certain parametric conditions. Also by comparing models (a) and (b), we conclude that Allee effect can create or destroy the interior attractor. Finally, we have studied the disease free-submodel (prey and susceptible predator model) with and without Allee effect. The comparative study between these two submodels leads to the following conclusions: 1) In the presence of Allee effect, the number of interior equilibrium points can change from zero to two whereas the submodel without Allee effect has unique interior equilibrium point; 2) Both with and without Allee effect, initial conditions play an important role on the survival and extinction of prey as well as its corresponding predator; 3) In the presence of Allee effect, bi-stability occurs with stable or periodic coexistence of prey and susceptible predator and the extinction of prey and susceptible predator; 4) Allee effect can generate or destroy the interior equilibrium points.     

Combined effect of interferon inducers, radiosensitizing and antineoplastic agents on solid tumors

In experiments with mice bearing solid sarcoma 37 a study was conducted on the combined effect of radiation and inductors of endogenous interferon synthesis (IEIS), together with hyperthermia or together with an alkylating and carbomoilating agent, dimethinur. The effect was estimated by the tumor growth coefficient and by the number of animals with the regressed tumors. Po I. polyC was not shown to influence the efficiency of hyperthermia combined with radiation; dextransulphate and tiloron increased the radiosensitizing effect of hyperthermia. Dimethinur aggravated the effect of radiation, but with IEIS used together with dimethynur and radiation, the response of the tumor increased insignificantly as compared to the effect of IEIS together with radiation.     

The inhibitory effect of polymeric carboxylic amino-acids and urine on calcium oxalate crystallization

A new method has been established to follow the inhibitory effect of some polymeric-dicarboxylic-amino-acids and other poly-anionic derivatives. The technique is based on using calcium specific electrode to measure continuously free calcium ion activity in solution to assess the formation of calcium oxalate precipitate.The retardation effect of Poly-L-glutamic and aspartic acids has been established in 5–100 ppm range and compared to other monomeric and polymeric compounds with inactivated functional groups. The retardation effect is in agreement with previous reports on inhibition effect on crystal growth rate of seed crystals, with the same retardants.The inhibitory effect was also determined with normal urine and compared to pathological urine.     

Molecular events involved in the proaggregating effect of heparin on human platelets

Molecular mechanisms underlying the ability of heparin to enhance the platelet-aggregating effect of various agonists were studied. Heparin potentiates the aggregating effect of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and epinephrine, but it is uneffective on the aggregation induced by ristocetin and collagen. Heparin inhibits aggregation induced by thrombin in the presence of plasma, but it is uneffective, or sometimes stimulates aggregation, in the absence of plasma. The effects on the platelet-activating factor- (PAF-acether) induced aggregation are very variable. The late phase of the ADP-induced aggregation is sensitive to proteinase inhibitors, but heparin overcomes this inhibitory effect. Drugs which inhibit remodeling of membrane phospholipids abolish the potentiating effect of heparin, while cyclooxygenase inhibitors do not. The proaggregating effect of heparin subfractions correlates with the lipoprotein lipase activity and, slightly, with the molecular weight, but it does not correlate with the anticoagulant activity. Platelets prelabelled with phosphatidyl[U14C]inositol show a very rapid effect of heparin in triggering phosphatidylinositor breakdown and a cooperative effect with ADP, a known agonist of the 'phosphatidylinositol cycle'. Heparin is also effective in stimulating the labelling of polyphosphoinositides in platelets prelabelled with 32Pi. These results, together with the selective sensitivity to drugs, lead to the conclusion that a stimulatory effect on the very early events of remodeling of membrane phospholipids is involved in the platelet proaggregating effect of heparin.     

Role of catecholaminergic mechanisms in regulating the autogenic periodic motor activity of rat pups

In 1-, 2- to 3-, 7- to 8-, and 10-day old intact and spinal rat puppies, studies have been made of the effect of l-DOPA (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) on autogenic periodic motor activity in the gastrocnemius muscle. In 1- to 3-day old pups, strong stimulating effect was observed up to a prolonged continuous activity for 5-10 or even more minutes. This effect decreases with age. Traces of the inhibitory effect are observed at early stages in the form of total decrease of the activity. The inhibitory effect increases with age. In all spinal animals, at the background of a decreased activity, stimulating effect of l-DOPA was predominantly observed. Age peculiarities of the effect of l-DOPA are discussed in relation to ontogenetic development of catecholaminergic innervation in rats. It is suggested that stimulating effect of l-DOPA is associated with its action on the descending noradrenergic system, whereas the inhibitory one is mediated by the brain structures.     

Effect of recombinant human alpha interferon (INF) and antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) on normal and aplastic anaemia haematopoietic progenitor cell growth.

The effect of recombinant alpha interferon (INF) and of antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) to the colony stimulating factor (CSF) production was examined with in vitro culture of the bone marrow of healthy and of aplastic anaemia (AA) persons. In healthy persons the supernatant of lymphocytes preincubated with PHA and ALG was found to show a stimulating effect to clonogenic properties of marrow progenitors, the mentioned effect being not in proportion to the concentration value. Similar properties are shown by interferon in these persons. In patients with aplastic anaemia, a considerable stimulating ALG effect to the granulocytic formation of colonies and a lesser stimulating effect of interferon were shown.     

Reductions of non-pest insects in dung of cattle treated with endectocides: a comparison of four products

Pour-on formulations of four endectocide products were compared to assess the effect of faecal residues on insects developing in naturally-colonized dung of treated cattle. In each of three independent experiments, suppression of insects was associated with application of doramectin, eprinomectin and ivermectin, but no effect was observed for moxidectin. When data were combined across experiments to increase sample sizes, suppression of insects was observed for each compound, with the least effect being observed for moxidectin. Based on the number of species affected and duration of suppression, doramectin > ivermectin > eprinomectin > moxidectin were ranked in descending order of adverse effect. A second set of three independent experiments was performed to assess the effect of endectocide treatment on dung degradation. Delayed degradation was observed for dung of cattle treated with doramectin, eprinomectin and moxidectin in the first experiment. No effect of treatment was detected in the second experiment. An effect of moxidectin was detected in the third experiment, but differences could not be detected with subsequent post-hoc tests. When data were combined across experiments to increase sample sizes, delayed degradation was detected only for eprinomectin. The apparent discrepancy between the low effect of moxidectin on insects versus its effect of dung degradation suggests the confounding action of other unidentified factors. Results of the current study indicate that use of moxidectin is least likely to affect the natural assemblage of insects associated with cattle dung.     

Influence of glucose on the kinetics of maltodextrin hydrolysis using free and immobilized glucoamylase

The study of the effect of glucose addition to the kinetics of maltodextrin hydrolysis catalyzed with free and immobilized Aspergillus niger glucoamylase does not show any significant glucose inhibitory effect. This result is in contradiction with data previously reported in the literature. On the contrary, a slight glucose-activating effect was observed. This effect was greater in the case of the immobilized enzyme. The glucose inhibitory effect may thus not be involved in the case of practical saccharification conditions catalyzed with glucoamylase when maltodextrins are used as substrate.     

物种丰富度对集群生物量的影响及抽样、互补效应的检验

通过8种甲藻构建不同物种丰富度梯度的集群进行室内一次性培养实验,探讨了集群生物量随物种丰富度的增长模式,运用多因素方差分析检验集群内是否存在抽样效应. 运用超产分析、相对产量之和分析和子集分析方法,检验了集群内的生态位互补效应,并运用分离加性方程法定量分离了抽样与互补效应.结果表明: 集群生物量随物种丰富度呈饱和型上升趋势;集群内存在较强的互补效应;在指数生长期,某些特定物种对集群生物量有显著影响,但在生长稳定期,集群生物量不受个别物种出现与否的影响;在生长稳定期,抽样效应总体上为负,而互补效应与净生物多样性效应则总体为正.     

Ovicidal activity of Paecilomyces lilacinus on Moniezia sp. eggs

The ovicidal activity of Paecilomyces lilacinus was evaluated on Moniezia sp. eggs. Eggs of Moniezia sp. were incubated on plates with 2% agar-water inoculated with grown fungal isolates and a control treatment without fungus. After 5, 10 and 15 days post-inoculation, the eggs were removed and classified according to the following parameters: effect type 1, lytic effect without morphological damage to eggshells; effect type 2, lytic effect with morphological change in embryos and eggshells; and effect type 3, lytic effect with morphological change in embryos and eggshells, with hyphal penetration and internal colonization of eggs. Paecilomyces lilacinus showed percentages for ovicidal activity (P < 0.01), mainly type 3 effect, of 19, 20 and 23% on eggs of Moniezia sp., after 5, 10 and 15 days post-inoculation, respectively. Therefore P. lilacinus can be considered as a potential biological control agent for this cestode.     

The influence of organic phosphates on the Bohr effect of human hemoglobin valency hybrids.

The Bohr effect of hemoglobin and that of the aquomet and cyanomet valency hybrids was measured in the presence and the absence of IHP (inositol hexaphosphate) and DPG (2,3-diphosphoglycerate). In the absence of these organic phosphates the four hybrids show similar, but suppressed Bohr effects as compared to hemoglobin. Addition of IHP and DPG results in all cases in an increase of the Bohr effect. The additional phosphate induced Bohr effect of the hybrids with the alpha chain in the oxidized form is almost identical to that of hemoglobin, while this effect of the hybrids with oxidized beta chains is slighly lower than that of hemoglobin. The results suggest (a) that the Bohr effect is correlated to the ligation state of the hemoglobin molecule rather than to its quaternary structure (b) that the additional phosphate induced Bohr effect is related to the change in quaternary structure of the tetramer, and (c) that with respect to the Bohr effect of the hybrids there is no difference between high and low spin species.     

Investigation of the mutagenic and antimutagenic effects of Origanum compactum essential oil and some of its constituents

In the present study, the chemical composition of Origanum compactum essential oil was determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, and its mutagenic and antimutagenic activities were investigated by the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) in Drosophila melanogaster. No significant increase in the number of somatic mutations was observed with the essential oil tested using both the standard (ST) and high bio-activation (HB) cross. In order to investigate the antimutagenic effect of the essential oil, we have tested the effect on the indirect-acting mutagen urethane (URE), as well as the direct-acting mutagen methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). O. compactum essential oil showed a strong inhibitory effect against URE-induced mutagenicity, especially with the HB cross. However, only a weak inhibitory effect on the mutagenicity induced by MMS was observed. These results suggest that the detected antimutagenicity could be mediated by an inhibitory effect on metabolic activation. The essential oil was fractionated to identify the components responsible of the suppressing effect detected. Seven fractions were obtained: two of them showed the most potent inhibitory effect against URE-induced mutagenicity and were further fractionated. The sub-fractions obtained from the second chromatographic fractionation were tested for their antimutagenic activity, together with carvacrol and thymol. The highest antimutagenic effect obtained with the sub-fractions was similar to the effect of the crude essential oil, as well as to the effect of carvacrol alone. These results suggest the absence of a synergic antimutagenic effect between the components of O. compactum essential oil and indicate that carvacrol was the most active oil component.     

中草药复方对拟态弧菌的体内外抗菌和拮抗外毒素的作用

目的探明拟态弧菌外毒素的致病性,筛选出对拟态弧菌具有良好抗菌和拮抗外毒素作用的中草药复方。方法培养拟态弧菌安徽分离株,采用蛋白分离技术提取其外毒素,测定其对实验草鱼的致病性。以黄连、大黄、金银花、夏枯草、丹皮、地锦草、连翘、茯苓、车前子、黄芪和甘草组成3个复方,采用改良微量稀释法测定不同中草药复方对拟态弧菌的体外抑菌作用。同时使用动物模型测定不同中草药复方拮抗外毒素作用和对拟态弧菌感染草鱼的保护作用。结果4株拟态弧菌产生的外毒素对实验鱼均具有较强的致死性。复方3的体外抑菌作用最强,对4株拟态弧菌的MIC值均为1.96g/L;其次为复方1,其MIC值介于3.92～7.84g/L;复方2的抑菌作用最差,其MIC值介于62.72～125g/L。复方3拮抗外毒素作用最强,其次为复方2,复方1不具有抗毒素作用。复方3对拟态弧菌感染草鱼具有最好的保护作用,保护率为100%;其次为复方2,保护率为23.81%;复方1的保护率最低,仅为19.05%。结论拟态弧菌外毒素在腹水病发生过程中起着重要致病作用。复方3具有良好的抗菌和拮抗外毒素作用,为筛选出的最佳复方,可进一步研制成为治疗腹水病的中草药复方制剂。     

Involvement of proteolytic enzymes in the lipotropic effect of the pituitary polypeptide hormones

The influence of proteinase inhibitors on the lipolytic effect of the pituitary polypeptide hormones and epinephrine in an isolated adipose tissue of rabbits and rats has been studied. Neither of proteinase inhibitors changed the basal rate of lipolysis. Trasylol, a serine proteinase inhibitor, suppressed completely growth hormone (GH) effect and partially reduced the effect of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and beta-lipotropin (beta-LPH) but did not change the effect of epinephrine. Bacitracin proved ineffective with regard to the effect of polypeptide hormones. Pepstatin, an acid proteinase inhibitor, partially blocked the stimulation of lipolysis by ACTH without affecting the effect of GH and beta-LPH. The influence of proteinase inhibitors on the ACTH effect in rat adipose tissue was similar to that found in rabbit tissue. The Trasylol-induced inhibition of the hormone-stimulated lipolysis decreased to a considerable extent after GH or ACTH incubation with rabbit plasma or partial GH digestion with pepsin. This decrease was not observed when plasma serine proteinases were blocked during GH incubation with plasma. The results demonstrate an involvement of some proteolytic enzymes in the realization of the polypeptide hormone lipolytic effect and permit to suppose the requirement of preliminary activation of the hormones by means of proteolytic modification.     

Hyperthermic potentiation of chromosome aberrations by anticancer antibiotics

In view of the success of hyperthermia as a modality in cancer treatment, we have studied its effect on chromosomes in combination with anticancer antibiotics. Three classes of chemicals, one with a non-delayed type of effect (adriamycin), one with a delayed type of effect (mitomycin C), and one with a truely radio-mimetic effect (bleomycin) were selected for study on human lymphocytes and Chinese hamster K-1 cells. Propane sultone was also included because its effect on plants is suppressed by hyperthermia. The data show increased because its effect on plants is suppressed by hyperthermia. The data show increased potential of these chemicals to induce chromosome aberrations when applied at temperatures higher than 37 degrees C, irrespective of the phase of cell cycle. The potentiation may be due to true synergism (bleomycin) of facilitation of entry of larger quantities of the drug (adriamycin). No potentiating effect was observed on the induction of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs).     

Coexistence and coevolution in fluctuating environments: can the storage effect evolve?

Both theoretical and empirical work have shown that the temporal storage effect can promote coexistence. However, the storage effect depends on temporally fluctuating demographic rates, such as interannually variable germination rates. Because variable demographic rates often reduce fitness, we asked how a storage effect might evolve. Using a model of competing annual plants, we find that variable germination (and hence a storage effect) can evolve only if germination is positively correlated with high-fecundity years (predictive germination) or if one species has limited ability to evolve. Outside of these conditions, the storage effect is evolutionarily unstable: if two species were thrown together with traits that would permit a storage effect, they would coevolve constant germination rates and the storage effect would vanish. Our results suggest that for the temporal storage effect to be widespread, either germination must commonly be positively correlated with later growth or fecundity or community assembly must reflect biogeographic processes more than they do coevolution.     

Attempt to augment the anti-proliferative effect of recombinant human lymphotoxin in combined use with anti-tumor antibody-diethyldithiocarbamate conjugates.

We have attempted to augment specifically the antiproliferative effect of recombinant human lymphotoxin (rhLT) on tumor cells in combined use with diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) which is known to inactivate superoxide dismutase. For this purpose, anti-Meth A tumor cell antibody-DDC conjugates were used to confer the selectivity on the augmented antiproliferative effect in combined use of rhLT with DDC. Simultaneous addition of rhLT (1 u/ml to 100 u/ml) with the diluted conjugates to the target Meth A tumor cells induced the augmentation of the antiproliferative effect although antibody control was not effective. Similar augmentation of the antiproliferative effect was obtained when the target cells were treated with the conjugates prior to the addition of rhLT although the rate of inhibition was low. This approach seems to be useful because the antiproliferative effect of LT on target tumor cells could be augmented and side effects of LT could be avoided.     

Reversible sensitization and desensitization of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I to inhibition by malonyl-CoA in isolated rat liver mitochondria. Significance for the mechanism of malonyl-CoA-induced sensitization.

Preincubation of rat liver mitochondria with 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (Nbs2) followed by removal of excess reagent by washing the mitochondria with 0.5 mM-reduced glutathione resulted in a desensitization of carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) I activity to malonyl-CoA inhibition. The effect was not observed if mitochondria were washed with 0.5 mM-dithiothreitol. The desensitization effect of Nbs2 could be reversed by a second incubation in the presence of 8 microM-malonyl-CoA. In addition, malonyl-CoA, when present simultaneously with Nbs2, protected CPT I activity against the desensitization effect of the thiol-group reagent. These results suggest that malonyl-CoA exerts an effect on one or more thiol groups of the enzyme, and that this effect is related to the ability of the metabolite to sensitize CPT I to malonyl-CoA inhibition.     

Comparison of the rapid pro-apoptotic effect of trans-ß-nitrostyrenes with delayed apoptosis induced by the standard agent 5-fluorouracil in colon cancer cells

Trans-beta-nitrostyrene (TBNS) has been reported to be a potent inhibitor of protein phosphatases PTB1 and PP2A and to display a pro-apoptotic effect even in multidrug resistant tumour cells. Here we compared the anti-tumour potential of TBNS with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as the standard chemotherapeutic agent for colorectal cancer in LoVo cells. Resistance to 5-FU based therapy might be a consequence of 5-FU's delayed effect requiring long-term effective concentrations in the tumour tissue. Thus, alternatives like platin containing drugs with a more rapid effect have been introduced recently. Compared to 5-FU TBNS displayed a faster cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effect. A 50% decrease in viability was observed already after 8 h with TBNS while 5-FU displayed no significant effect before 48 h. DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 assays confirmed the more rapid apoptotic effect of TBNS. Since apoptosis affects individual cells these results about a rapidly induced apoptosis were further studied on a single cell level in microscopic assays of caspase-3 and caspase-8 activation. Adducts of trans-beta-nitrostyrene displayed an anti-tumour effect comparable to TBNS which suggests the possibility of creating adducts with optimised tissue targeting. Finally, the calculation of a drug combination index displayed a synergistic effect for the combination of TBNS and 5-FU in Lovo as well as in HT-29 and HCT116 colon cancer cells.     

Protective effect of inhibitors of succinate dehydrogenase on wheat seedlings during osmotic stress

The effect of malonate and sedaxane, a compound with the fungicidal effect which act as succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors, on the resistance of etiolated wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.) to osmotic stress caused by 12% PEG 6000 solution, was studied. The presowing treatment of seeds with 0.3 mM sedaxane solution significantly reduced the inhibitory effect of osmotic stress on seedling growth. The protective effect of 10 mM malonate was significant when it was added to the incubation medium of the roots; the effect of preseeding treatment with malonate was less significant. Unlike malonate, malate had no positive effect on seedling growth under osmotic stress. The activity of succinate dehydrogenase and the hydrogen peroxide content decreased in seedlings after the treatment of roots with malonate and sedaxane. Pretreatment with sedaxane and the addition of malonate to the incubation medium of roots prevented the accumulation of a lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde, which is caused by osmotic stress, and increased peroxidase activity. It was concluded that the stress-protective effect of sedaxane and malonate on wheat seedlings might be due to the inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase-dependent formation of reactive oxygen species and the prevention of oxidative cell damage.