管氏肿腿蜂触角感器的扫描电镜观察

扫描电镜观察表明 ,管氏肿腿蜂SclerodermaguaniXiaoetWu触角上存在 1 3种感器 ,其中毛形感器Ⅰ型、Ⅱ型、刺形感器、锥形感器、鳞形感器、栓锥形感器、钟形感器和坛形感器雌雄均有 ,仅数量和分布存在差异 ;板形感器、柱形感器Ⅰ型、Ⅱ型、长锥形感器和耳形感器只在雌蜂触角上存在。感器的种类、数量和分布在性别间的差异 ,为研究该蜂寻找生境和寄生行为提供了形态学依据。     

The 5-HT1A receptor agonist buspirone improves esophageal motor function and symptoms in systemic sclerosis: a 4-week,open-label trial

BackgroundAcute administration of the oral 5-HT₁A receptor agonist buspirone, which is commonly used as an anxiolytic drug, may improve compromised lower esophageal sphincter function. In an open-label trial we assessed the effects of buspirone on esophageal motor function and symptoms in patients with esophageal involvement associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc).MethodsThirty consecutive patients with SSc and symptomatic esophageal involvement, despite treatment with proton pump inhibitors, underwent high resolution manometry and chest computed tomography for assessment of motor function and esophageal dilatation, respectively. Regurgitation, heartburn, dysphagia, and chest pain severity was subjectively scored by visual analog scales. Manometric parameters (primary endpoint) and symptom severity (secondary endpoint) were re-examined after 4-week daily administration of 20 mg buspirone. Other medications remained unchanged.ResultsEight patients did not complete the trial because of buspirone-associated dizziness (n = 2), or nausea (n = 2), or reluctancy to undergo final manometry. In the remaining 22 patients lower esophageal sphincter (LES) resting pressure increased from 7.7 ± 3.9 to 12.2 ± 4.6 mmHg (p = 0.00002) after buspirone administration; other manometric parameters did not change. Statistical analysis revealed negative correlation between individual increases in resting LES pressure and supra-aortic esophageal diameter (r = -0.589, p = 0.017), suggesting a more beneficial effect in patients with less severely affected esophageal function. Heartburn and regurgitation scores decreased at 4 weeks compared to baseline (p = 0.001, and p = 0.022, respectively).ConclusionOur findings warrant more conclusive evaluation with a double-blind controlled study; however, buspirone could potentially be given under observation for objective improvement in all patients with SSc who report reflux symptoms despite undergoing standard treatment.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT02363478","term_id":"NCT02363478"}}NCT02363478 Registered: 21-02-2014.     

低温处理黄粉虫蛹对管氏肿腿蜂寄生效能的影响

中间寄主的营养状况是影响寄生蜂繁育效果的主要因素。对中间寄主进行处理以抑制其发育,保证其有充足的营养满足子代寄生蜂发育所需。本文研究了在0℃和2℃条件下中间寄主黄粉虫蛹体内营养物质蛋白质、总糖、海藻糖、糖原含量等随处理时间的先升高后下降的变化趋势,表皮硬化程度以及肿腿蜂的寄生率之间的关系。结果表明:寄生蜂寄生率与中间寄主体内营养物质含量呈正相关变化,与表皮硬化程度呈负相关变化。推荐2℃作为中间寄主处理的适宜温度,处理时间为24 h。     

Quinolinones Alkaloids with AChE Inhibitory Activity from Mangrove Endophytic Fungus Penicillium citrinum YX-002

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity-guided studies on the mangrove-derived endophytic fungus Penicillium citrinum YX-002 led to the isolation of nine secondary metabolites, including one new quinolinone derivative, quinolactone A ( 1 ), a pair of epimers quinolactacin C1 ( 2 ) and 3-epi-quinolactacin C1 ( 3 ), together with six known analogs ( 4 – 9 ). Their structures were elucidated based on extensive mass spectrometry (MS) and 1D/2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic analyses, and compared with data in the literature. The absolute configurations of compounds 1 – 3 was determined by combination of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations and X-Ray single crystal diffraction technique using CuK_α radiation. In bioassays, compounds 1 , 4 and 7 showed moderate AChE inhibitory activities with IC₅₀ values of 27.6, 19.4 and 11.2 μmol/L, respectively. The structure-activity relationships (SARs) analysis suggested that the existence of carbonyl group on C-3 and the oxygen atom on the five-membered ring were beneficial to the activity. Molecular docking results showed that compound 7 had a lower affinity interaction energy (−9.3 kcal/mol) with stronger interactions with different sites in AChE activities, which explained its higher activities.     

Cyclosporine A-induced autoimmunity: an animal model for human scleroderma

Animal models have been shown to be very valuable in the elucidation of pathologic mechanisms in complex human diseases. However, conscientious comparison with the human disease is required to define to what extend the respective model is relevant for the human situation. In this study we have compared Cyclosporine A-induced autoimmunity in the rat with human scleroderma and hereby we have taken into account the histo- and immunopathology, the presence of vascular abnormalities, and the occurrence of circulating autoantibodies. Altogether, the macroscopical and histopathological similarities are the most important characteristics for considering Cyclosporine A-induced autoimmunity as an experimental model for human scleroderma. Furthermore, the presence of T cells and macrophages in the lesions, as well as the peripheral immune deviation within the CD4 T cell compartment are two other common factors and they justify the use of the animal model Cyclosporine A-induced autoimmunity in further studies on the role of T cells in the pathogenesis of scleroderma.     

Quinolactacide,a New Quinolone Insecticide from Penicillium citrinum Thom F 1539

By a screening program searching for new pesticides from fungal sources, an insecticidal compound was isolated from Penicillium citrinum F 1539. The compound, named quinolactacide, was novel and showed 88% mortality against green peach aphids (Myzus persicae) at 250 ppm. Its structure was determined by spectroscopic techniques.     

When there’s smoke there’s…scleroderma: evidence that patients with scleroderma should stop smoking

There is no treatment for the autoimmune disease scleroderma (systemic sclerosis, SSc), a multisystem disorder characterized by vascular damage and fibrosis. In particular, SSc can severely affect the lung, resulting in pulmonary arterial hypertension and fibrosis. Smoking is well-known to affect pulmonary health, and a recent report (Hudson et al., Arthritis Rheum, in press Oct 8) provides convincing evidence that stopping smoking improves disease outcome in SSc patients. This commentary discusses this recent publication which suggests that physicians should encourage SSc patients to stop smoking immediately.     

Biological control of Botrytis cinerea and plant growth promotion potential by Penicillium citrinum in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

A total of 48 fungi were characterised for their antagonistic potential against Botrytis cinerea causing Botrytis Gray Mold (BGM) disease in chickpea by dual culture and metabolite production assays. The culture filtrate of the most promising isolate, VFI-51, was purified by various chromatographic techniques and identified as ‘citrinin’ by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry studies. The efficacy of citrinin was demonstrated to control BGM in chickpea under greenhouse conditions. The sequences of 18S rDNA gene of the VFI-51 matched with Penicillium citrinum in BLAST analysis. The VFI-51 produced siderophore, hydrocyanic acid, indole-3-acetic acid, lipase, protease and β-1,3-glucanase; grew well in NaCl (up to 15%), at pH between 7 and 11 and temperatures between 20°C and 40°C; and was compatible with fungicides bavistin and thiram. Under greenhouse and field conditions, VFI-51 significantly enhanced the nodule number, nodule weight, root and shoot weight and stover and grain yield over the un-inoculated control. In the rhizosphere, VFI-51 also significantly enhanced total N, available P and OC over the un-inoculated control. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that VFI-51 colonised on the roots of chickpea. This study concluded that VFI-51 has the potential for biocontrol of BGM and plant growth promotion in chickpea.