Cryptic species of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis: impact on paracoccidioidomycosis immunodiagnosis

We aimed to evaluate whether the occurrence of cryptic species of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, S1, PS2, PS3 and Paracoccidioides lutzii, has implications in the immunodiagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). Small quantities of the antigen gp43 were found in culture filtrates of P. lutzii strains and this molecule appeared to be more variable within P. lutzii because the synonymous-nonsynonymous mutation rate was lower, indicating an evolutionary process different from that of the remaining genotypes. The production of gp43 also varied between isolates belonging to the same species, indicating that speciation events are important, but not sufficient to fully explain the diversity in the production of this antigen. The culture filtrate antigen AgEpm83, which was obtained from a PS3 isolate, showed large quantities of gp43 and reactivity by immunodiffusion assays, similar to the standard antigen (AgB-339) from an S1 isolate. Furthermore, AgEpm83 was capable of serologically differentiating five serum samples from patients from the Botucatu and Jundiaí regions. These patients had confirmed PCM but, were non-reactive to the standard antigen, thus demonstrating an alternative for serological diagnosis in regions in which S1 and PS2 occur. We also emphasise that it is not advisable to use a single antigen preparation to diagnose PCM, a disease that is caused by highly diverse pathogens.     

新烟碱类和大环内酯类杀虫剂对四种赤眼蜂成蜂急性毒性和安全性评价

为了明确新烟碱类和大环内酯类杀虫剂对天敌赤眼蜂Trichogramma spp.的影响, 在室内采用药膜法测定了其对稻螟赤眼蜂Trichogramma japonicum Ashmead、 亚洲玉米螟赤眼蜂Trichogramma ostriniae Pang et Chen、 拟澳洲赤眼蜂Trichogramma confusum Viggiani和广赤眼蜂Trichogramma evanescens Westwood成蜂的急性毒性, 并进行了安全性评价。急性毒性测定结果表明： 在测定的新烟碱类药剂中, 噻虫嗪对拟澳洲赤眼蜂和稻螟赤眼蜂表现出最高的急性毒性, 其LC₅₀分别为0.24 (0.21~0.27) 和0.40 (0.37~0.44) mg a.i./L; 其次为烯啶虫胺, 该药剂对上述两种赤眼蜂的LC₅₀分别为0.83 (0.74~0.96) 和0.72 (0.65~0.80) mg a.i./L; 而吡虫啉对亚洲玉米螟赤眼蜂和拟澳洲赤眼蜂的毒性最低, 其LC₅₀分别为502.13 (459.80~549.62)和752.62 (687.51~828.63) mg a.i./L。在测定的大环内酯类药剂中, 阿维菌素对稻螟赤眼蜂的急性毒性最高, 其LC₅₀为0.49 (0.46~0.65) mg a.i./L, 而甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐对拟澳洲赤眼蜂表现出最低的急性毒性, 其LC₅₀为21.76 (19.59~24.40) mg a.i./L。安全性评价结果表明, 吡虫啉、 啶虫脒、 氯噻啉和甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐对4种赤眼蜂为低风险~中等风险性, 安全性系数为0.57~23.54; 噻虫啉和依维菌素对4种赤眼蜂却为中等风险~高风险性, 安全性系数为0.16~3.45; 而烯啶虫胺、 噻虫嗪和阿维菌素对4种赤眼蜂为高风险~极高风险性, 安全性系数为0.01~0.15。本研究测定的大部分杀虫剂对赤眼蜂都有一定的急性毒性风险。因此, 在害虫综合治理中应谨慎使用新烟碱类和大环内酯类杀虫剂尤其是烯啶虫胺、 噻虫嗪和阿维菌素, 以免造成对赤眼蜂的大量杀伤。     

Selected ion monitoring for rapid differentiation of mycobacteria isolated from domestic animals

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry adapted for selected ion monitoring was used to detect C₃₂ mycocerosic acid in short-term incubated cultures of procineand canine strains of mycobacteria. The method can be employed for rapid differentiation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from M. avium-intracellulare.     

Coccidian Parasites (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) of Nerodia spp. (Serpentes: Colubridae), with a Description of a New Species of Eimeria

Eimeria conanli n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) is described from intestinal contents and feces of Nerodia erythrogaster transversa and N harteri harteri from northcentral Texas. Oocysts of the new species are ellipsoid in shape. 17.9 × 13.0(15–21 × 12–15) μm, with a smooth, thin, single-layered wall; shape index 1.4 (1.2–1.5). One to several (usually 2) polar granule(s) and an oocyst residuum are present, but a micropyie is absent. Sporocysts are elongate, 12.9 × 5.2 (13–15 × 5–6) -m, apparently without a true Stieda body structure. Each sporoeyst contains an ellipsoid residuum, 3.9 × 3.2 (3–6 × 2–4) μm, and elongate sporozoites, 11.4 × 2.5 (10–14 × 2–3) μm in situ, each with a spherical or subspherical anterior refractile body and spherical to ellipsoid posterior refractile body. In addition to the new species, oocysts of 4 previously described eimerians from colubrid snakes were found in these hosts.     

Characterization of a cDNA encoding cysteine proteinase inhibitor from Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. ssp. pekinensis) flower buds

A cDNA encoding a new phytocystatin isotype named BCPI-1 was isolated from a cDNA library of Chinese cabbage flower buds. The BCPI-1 clone encodes 199 amino acids resulting in a protein much larger than other known phytocystatins. BCPI-1 has an unusually long C-terminus. A BCPI-1 fusion protein expressed in Escherichia coli strongly inhibits the enzymatic activity of papain, a cysteine proteinase. Genomic Southern blot analysis revealed that the BCPI gene is a member of a small multi-gene family in Chinese cabbage. Northern blot analysis showed that it is differentially expressed in the flower bud, leaf and root.     

锦鸡儿属两种植物种子萌发生理研究

对不同种源柠条锦鸡儿、小叶锦鸡儿种子在培养过程中可溶性蛋白质、可溶性糖含量变化及其吸水特性进行分析,以探讨不同种源种子的萌发生理.结果表明:(1)随种子培养时间的延长,各种源柠条锦鸡儿、小叶锦鸡儿种子中可溶性蛋白质、可溶性糖含量呈总体降低趋势,并且0～24 h是种子中可溶性蛋白质、可溶性糖含量降解转化速率较快的时期.(2)各种源柠条锦鸡儿、小叶锦鸡儿种子的相对吸水量随时间变化表现不一,并且柠条锦鸡儿、小叶锦鸡儿的吸水增量有两个明显峰值,第一个峰值均出现在24 h,第二个峰值分别出现在96 h和120 h.(3)各种源柠条锦鸡儿、小叶锦鸡儿的种子活力大小表现为N-5＞X-1＞X2＞N-4＞N1＞N-2＞N-3.     

四个齿爪鳃金龟类群分类地位的RAPD分析

本应用RAPD技术对齿爪鳃金龟属（Holotrichia)的四个类群进行了分类地位的研究,结果表明,不同类群间的平均遗传距离分别为：华北大黑鳃金龟的登种群与南京种群间为0．346,登种群与东北大黑锶金龟间为0．375,南京种群与东北大黑鳃金龟间为0．359,矮臂锶金龟与登种群,南京种群和东北大黑鳃金龟间分别为0．552,0．545和0．534。对RAPD指纹图谱进行UPGMA聚类分析,系统发育树将以上四个类群分为了差异显的两大类,综合各项研究指标,东北大黑鳃金龟与华北大黑鳃金龟之间的差异为种群水平的变化,东北大黑鳃金龟与华北大黑鳃金龟属同种昆虫,按照动物命名法规,东北大黑鳃金龟应为华北大黑鳃金龟的同物异名。     

Helicobacter spp. Other Than Helicobacter pylori

Non- H. pylori Helicobacter species (NHPHS) are associated with several important human and animal diseases. In the past year research into this group of bacteria has continued to gain attention, and novel species have been described in new niches owing to improvements in detection methods. Polymerase chain reaction and/or sequencing remain the gold standard for the detection of this genus. New insights into the pathogenesis of the NHPHS in hepatobiliary, gastric, and intestinal diseases were gained. In particular, data revealed interaction between hepatic steatosis and infectious hepatitis in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Evidence of an association between hepatitis C virus and Helicobacter spp. in hepatocarcinoma development was also provided; and male sex hormone signaling appeared to influence infectious hepatitis induced by Helicobacter hepaticus . More findings support an association between Helicobacter heilmannii and gastric adenocarcinoma; and in mice, mucins MUC4 and MUC5 but not MUC1 influence the colonization and pathogenesis of Helicobacter felis . Data indicated that the roles of the adaptive immune system in H. hepaticus -induced intestinal tumorigenesis are different in the small and large intestines, and environmental factors, such as bile acids may modulate H. hepaticus carcinogenic potential. New reports in the prevention and eradication of NHPHS showed a protective response against Helicobacter suis induced by vaccine administration, and a successful cross-foster rederivation method successfully eradicated Helicobacter spp. from contaminated mice litters. Overall, the studies provided insights into the pathophysiology of Helicobacter species other than Helicobacter pylori.     

两种野生灌木幼苗对干旱和盐交叉胁迫的生理响应

长枝木蓼(Ateaphaxis viegata)和刺叶锦鸡儿(Caragana acanthophulla)是乌鲁木齐周边植被组成的重要种,在植被恢复中具有潜在价值。该文通过盆栽控水控盐法研究两种野生灌木幼苗在不同程度的干旱和盐交叉胁迫下的生理反应。结果表明,干旱和盐交叉胁迫下,长枝木蓼可溶性糖增幅较刺叶锦鸡儿大;轻度交叉胁迫时,两种灌木的可溶性糖含量高于仅干旱胁迫或盐胁迫下的。中度和重度交叉胁迫下,长枝木蓼叶片丙二醛含量增幅高于刺叶锦鸡儿。交叉胁迫下,两种灌木叶片叶绿素含量下降,且长枝木蓼叶片的叶绿素含量降幅大于刺叶锦鸡儿。因膜系统的过氧化作用,使MDA含量升高。轻度干旱胁迫提高了两种野生灌木对盐胁迫的耐受能力。两种灌木能很好地适应中度交叉胁迫,重度交叉胁迫对两种灌木的伤害很大,但也能生存。综合比较各参数发现,刺叶锦鸡儿更耐早,而长枝木蓼更耐盐;综合比较各生理参数发现,刺叶锦鸡儿对干旱和盐胁迫的耐受能力较长枝木蓼强。     

Variability in tolerance to UV-B radiation among Beauveria spp. isolates

Solar radiation, particularly the UV-B component, negatively affects survival of entomopathogenic fungi in the field. In an effort to identify Beauveria spp. isolates with promise for use in biological control settings with high insolation, we examined 53 Beauveria bassiana isolates, 7 isolates of 4 other Beauveria spp. and Engyodontium albus (=Beauveria alba). The origins of these fungi varied widely as to host/substrate and country, but approximately 30% of these isolates were B. bassiana from ticks in Brazil. A preliminary trial with three B. bassiana isolates (Bb 19, CG 310 and CG 481) at several UV-B dosages indicated that 2h of weighted UV-B irradiance at 978mWm(-2) (providing a total dose of 7.04kJm(-2)) allowed separation of isolates into low, medium or high UV-B tolerance. This dose, therefore, was selected as a single dose to compare UV-B tolerances of all 60 Beauveria spp. isolates. There was high variability in tolerance to UV-B radiation among the B. bassiana isolates, ranging from virtually zero tolerance (e.g., Bb 03) to almost 80% tolerance (e.g., CG 228). In addition, surviving B. bassiana conidia demonstrated delayed germination; and this is likely to reduce virulence. Conidia of the other species were markedly more sensitive to UV-B, with E. albus (UFPE 3138) being the least UV-B tolerant. Among B. bassiana isolates originating from 0 degrees to 22 degrees latitudes, those from lower latitudes demonstrated statistically significant greater UV-B tolerances than those isolates from higher latitudes. Isolates from above 22 degrees , however, were unaffected by latitude of origin. A similar analysis based on host type did not indicate a correlation between original host and UV-B tolerance. The identification in this study of several B. bassiana isolates with relatively high UV-B tolerance will guide the selection of isolates for future arthropod microbial control experiments.