Liposomal-benzocaine gel formulation: correlation between in vitro assays and in vivo topical anesthesia in volunteers

The aim of the present study was to characterize a liposome-based benzocaine (BZC) formulation designed for topical use on the oral mucosa and to evaluate its in vitro retention and permeation using the Franz-type diffusion cells through pig esophagus mucosa. To predict the effectiveness of new designed formulations during preclinical studies, a correlation between in vitro assays and in vivo efficacy was performed. Liposomal BZC was characterized in terms of membrane/water partition coefficient, encapsulation efficiency, size, polydispersity, zeta potential, and morphology. Liposomal BZC (BL10) was incorporated into gel formulation and its performances were compared to plain BZC gel (B10) and the commercially available BZC gel (B20). BL10 and B10 presented higher flux and retention on pig esophagus mucosa with a shorter lag time, when compared to B20. BZC flux was strongly correlated with in vivo anesthetic efficacy, but not with topical anesthesia duration. The retention studies did not correlate with any of the in vivo efficacy parameters. Thus, in vitro permeation study can be useful to predict anesthetic efficacy during preclinical tests, because a correlation between flux and anesthetic efficacy was observed. Therefore, in vitro assays, followed by in vivo efficacy, are necessary to confirm anesthetic performance.     

Involvement of auxin pathways in modulating root architecture during beneficial plant–microorganism interactions

A wide variety of microorganisms known to produce auxin and auxin precursors form beneficial relationships with plants and alter host root development. Moreover, other signals produced by microorganisms affect auxin pathways in host plants. However, the precise role of auxin and auxin‐signalling pathways in modulating plant–microbe interactions is unknown. Dissecting out the auxin synthesis, transport and signalling pathways resulting in the characteristic molecular, physiological and developmental response in plants will further illuminate upon how these intriguing inter‐species interactions of environmental, ecological and economic significance occur. The present review seeks to survey and summarize the scattered evidence in support of known host root modifications brought about by beneficial microorganisms and implicate the role of auxin synthesis, transport and signal transduction in modulating beneficial effects in plants. Finally, through a synthesis of the current body of work, we present outstanding challenges and potential future research directions on studies related to auxin signalling in plant–microbe interactions.     

Biological control of the wheat root rot caused by Fusarium graminearum using some PGPR strains in Saudi Arabia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of selected bacterial strains against the wheat soil‐borne pathogen Fusarium graminearum under greenhouse conditions. The most potent isolates were 3 isolates out of 18 isolates, which have numbers 3, 9 and 10 with in vitro inhibition index 42.5%, 41.3% and 46.3% respectively. Isolates 3 and 10 were selected for the following experiments. Isolates 3 and 10 were identified as Bacillus subtilis MAA03 and Pseudomonas fluorescens MAA10, respectively according to International Identification Keys and, confirmed by using Biolog system and 16S rDNA where the strains exhibited more than 99.5% sequence identity. Their close taxonomic relationship was further documented by phenotypic similarities. The using of B. subtilis and P. fluorescens separately or in mixture as biocontrol agent against F. graminearum on wheat significantly increased the final germination percent, the mean daily germination and germination index of wheat cultivar, while the mean germination time was significantly decreased relative to infested control. The final infection percent, the mean daily infection and infection index were decreased significantly, while the mean infection time was significantly increased relative to infested control. The use of P. fluorescens as biocontrol agent was the most efficient than B. subtilis or in mixture and the best treatment was seed coating. The application of B. subtilis and P. fluorescens separately or in combination significantly affected the growth parameters of wheat cultivar Tabuki, the root length was significantly increased in seed coating and seed soaking treatments, while non‐significantly decreased in case of soil drench treatment relative to infested control. Shoot length was significantly decreased in case of seed coating treatment relative to infested control. The shoot fresh and dry weights were significantly increased in seed coating and seed soaking treatments relative to infested control. The root fresh and dry weights were significantly increased in seed coating and seed soaking treatments relative to infested control. The number of leaves was significantly increased in all treatments relative to infested control.     

Burkholderia sp. SCMS54 reduces cadmium toxicity and promotes growth in tomato

Cadmium (Cd) can enter soil through the use of fertilisers, calcareous, pesticides and industrial and/or domestic effluents. Cd can leach into groundwater and be taken up by plants, potentially leading to reductions in plant growth and yield. In soil, plant roots interact with heavy metal (HM)‐tolerant microorganisms that may promote plant growth. Soil microorganisms may also be able to solubilise or mobilise soil metals, thereby acting as bioremediators. A better understanding of the interaction among plants, metals, microorganisms and soil will lead to improved plant tolerance. Two multi‐tolerant bacteria from the Burkholderia genus were isolated from Cd‐contaminated and Cd‐uncontaminated soil of a coffee plantation. In addition to its high tolerance to Cd, the strain SCMS54 produces indole‐acetic acid (IAA), solubilises inorganic phosphate and produces siderophores, demonstrating its potential to contribute to beneficial plant–microorganism interactions. When interacting with tomato plants exposed to Cd, the bacterium led to decreases in plant peroxide and chlorosis levels, promoted relative plant growth and decreased the root absorption of Cd, resulting in increased plant tolerance to this highly toxic HM. The results indicated that the inoculation of tomato plants with Burkholderia sp. SCMS54 promotes better growth in plants cultivated in the presence of Cd. This phenomenon appears to be attributed to a mechanism that decreases Cd concentrations in the roots via a beneficial interaction between the bacteria and the plant roots.     

Control efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis and a new granulovirus isolate against Cydia pomonella in orchards

Abstract

Codling moth, Cydia pomonella, is one of the most serious pests of apple and pear worldwide. This study evaluates the efficacies of a granulovirus, a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strain and their combination in the control of C. pomonella in China. A Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV) was isolated from C. pomonella cadavers in an orchard in Gansu, China. Droplet-feeding bioassays showed the median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of this CpGV isolate (CpGV-C1) against the third instar C. pomonella larvae was 770 OBs µl^?1. The LC₅₀ values of Bt C-33 and kurstaki HD-1 against the third instar larvae were 26.3 µg ml^?1 and 15.7 µg ml^?1, respectively. Field tests indicated the control efficacies of CpGV-C1 and the combination of CpGV-C1 and Bt against C. pomonella larvae in apple orchards were similar to that of beta-cypermethrin. Our data demonstrated that the combination of CpGV and Bt might effectively protect apple fruits from the damage of C. pomonella larvae and had the potential to be developed as a low-cost, highly effective insecticide.     

Comparison of the Effects of Orally Administered Linoleic Acid,and Its Hydroperoxides and Secondary Autoxidation Products on Hepatic Lipid Metabolism in Rats

Linoleic acid, and its hydroperoxides and secondary autoxidation products were orally administered to rats (400 mg/rat). Their effects on hepatic lipid metabolism were examined. Linoleic acid reduced the activities of de novo synthesis of fatty acids and acetyl-CoA carboxylase. It decreased the CoASH level and caused the accumulation of long-chain acyl-CoA. Hydroperoxides changed the compositions of unsaturated fatty acids in the hepatic lipids and lowered the content of neutral lipids. Secondary products stimulated carnitine palmitoyltransferase and decreased the content of neutral lipids. They reduced the activities of de novo synthesis of fatty acids and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and the levels of CoASH and acetyl-CoA. Thus, the effect of secondary products was apparently different from those of linoleic acid and its hydroperoxides.     

西格列汀、罗格列酮分别联合二甲双胍治疗老年2型糖尿病的疗效观察

目的:观察并对比二肽基肽酶-Ⅳ抑制剂西格列汀、胰岛素增敏剂罗格列酮分别联合降糖药物二甲双胍治疗老年2型糖尿病(T2DM)的临床疗效.方法:入选2010年4月-2012年10月间我科收治的老年T2DM患者70例,并随机单盲分为A(n=36)、B(n=34)两组,A组患者予西格列汀+二甲双胍方案,B组予罗格列酮+二甲双胍方案,服药12周后对比两组血糖水平、临床疗效并药物不良反应.结果:①两组患者服药12周后,血糖指标均较治疗前明显下降(P＜0.05),A组患者2hPG水平明显低于B组水平(P＜0.05).②A组患者显效率(50.0％)、总体有效率(91.7％)略高于B组(38.2％、85.3％),差异不具有统计学意义(P＞0.05).③两组患者均未出现严重药物不良反应,两组不良反应发生率(19.4％vs.26.5％)无统计学差异(P＞0.05).结论:两种用药方案均是治疗老年T2DM的有效方案,西格列酮+二甲双胍方案较之罗格列酮+二甲双胍方案在临床疗效中具备比较优势,尤其是对降低餐后血糖优势明显.     

激素联合丙种球蛋白治疗小儿重症肌无力的疗效及对患儿免疫球蛋白和补体的影响

目的：探讨激素联合丙种球蛋白治疗小儿重症肌无力的临床疗效及对患儿免疫球蛋白和补体的影响。方法：回顾性分析在我院治疗的70例重症肌无力患儿的临床资料,采用随机序号的方式将其分为观察组和对照组各35例,观察组给予甲泼尼龙联合丙种球蛋白,对照组仅给予甲泼尼龙,观察两组的临床疗效及免疫球蛋白和补体变化情况。结果：观察组总有效率为94．3％明显优于对照组74．3％,两组比较有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;观察组症状明显缓解时间（6．55±1．35）d以及总住院天数（17．15±3．65）d较对照组明显缩短,两组比较差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论：采用激素联合丙种球蛋白治疗小儿重症肌无力,可以明显改善患者肌无力症状,获得较为满意的临床疗效,值得进一步推广使用。     

Induction of resistance against downy mildew on sunflower by rhizobacteria

Abstract

Induction of resistance to downy mildew caused by Plasmopara halstedii in sunflower was studied after treatment with PGPR (plant growth promoting rhizobacteria) strain INR7 (Bacillus spp). Treatment of sunflower seeds with 1×10⁸cfu/ml of PGPR strain INR7 resulted in decreased disease severity and offered 51 and 54% protection under green house and field conditions, respectively. The induction of resistance to P. halstedii by PGPR strain INR7 was accompanied by the accumulation of various host defense-related enzymes in susceptible sunflower seedlings. Enhanced activation of catalase (CAT), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and chitinase (CHI) was evident at 6, 9, 12, 12 and 12h post inoculation, respectively, in sunflower seedlings raised from seeds treated with PGPR strain INR7. This enhanced and early activation of defense-related responses in the susceptible cultivar after treatment with PGPR strain INR7 was comparable to that in the resistant cultivar. The results indicate that PGPR strain INR7 induced resistance against P. halstedii in sunflower is mediated through enhanced expression of defense mechanism.     

田菁根际促生菌的筛选及其促生耐盐效果

【目的】为探究盐生植物田菁及其根际功能微生物改良盐碱地的效果,本研究从黄河三角洲盐碱区田菁根际土壤中分离促生菌,并明确其耐盐促生效果。【方法】采用选择培养方法从田菁根际土壤中分离固氮菌、解磷菌以及解钾菌,并进行16S rRNA分子生物学鉴定。之后对菌株的耐盐及促生特性进行测定,筛选性状优良菌株进行玉米促生作用研究。【结果】共分离得到105株根际促生菌,其中N102兼具多种促生特性且耐盐性达15%。田菁种子发芽试验表明,N102可显著提高田菁发芽率(47%,P0.05)、芽长(48.5%,P0.05)和根长(60%,P0.05);玉米盆栽试验结果表明,N102对盐胁迫下玉米的株高、根长、叶绿素含量、地上部干重以及根干重具有显著的促进作用。经系统发育分析,N102与Enterobacter soli ATCC BAA-2102 (NR117547)序列相似度为99.30%,鉴定属于Enterobacter属。【结论】菌株N102具有多种植物促生耐盐特性,具有开发成有效促进盐碱地作物生长的微生物肥的良好前景。