Influence of glucose feeding on the ligninolytic enzyme production of the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The present work studied the influence of glucose feeding on the ligninolytic enzyme production of Phanerochaete chrysosporium in a nitrogen-limited (C/N ratio is 56/8.8 mmol/L) medium. Several sets of shaking flask experiments were conducted. The results showed that 2 g/L glucose feeding on the first day of the culture (24 h after the inoculation) simulated both fungal biomass growth and enzyme production. The manganese peroxidase (MnP) activity was 2.5 times greater than that produced in cultures without glucose feeding. Furthermore, the glucose feeding mode in fed-batch culture was also investigated. Compared to cultures with glucose feeding every 48 h, cultures with glucose feeding of 1.5 g/L (final concentration) every 24 h produced more enzymes. The peak and total yield of MnP activity were 2.7 and 3 times greater compared to the contrast culture, respectively, and the enzyme was kept stable for 4 days with an activity of over 200 U/L. Translated from Acta Scientise Circumstantiae, 2007, 27(3): 363–368 [译自: 环境科学学报]     

Reservoir‐host amplification of disease impact in an endangered amphibian

Emerging wildlife pathogens are an increasing threat to biodiversity. One of the most serious wildlife diseases is chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), which has been documented in over 500 amphibian species. Amphibians vary greatly in their susceptibility to Bd; some species tolerate infection, whereas others experience rapid mortality. Reservoir hosts—species that carry infection while maintaining high abundance but are rarely killed by disease—can increase extinction risk in highly susceptible, sympatric species. However, whether reservoir hosts amplify Bd in declining amphibian species has not been examined. We investigated the role of reservoir hosts in the decline of the threatened northern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne pengilleyi) in an amphibian community in southeastern Australia. In the laboratory, we characterized the response of a potential reservoir host, the (nondeclining) common eastern froglet (Crinia signifera), to Bd infection. In the field, we conducted frog abundance surveys and Bd sampling for both P. pengilleyi and C. signifera. We built multinomial logistic regression models to test whether Crinia signifera and environmental factors were associated with P. pengilleyi decline. C. signifera was a reservoir host for Bd. In the laboratory, many individuals maintained intense infections (>1000 zoospore equivalents) over 12 weeks without mortality, and 79% of individuals sampled in the wild also carried infections. The presence of C. signifera at a site was strongly associated with increased Bd prevalence in sympatric P. pengilleyi. Consistent with disease amplification by a reservoir host, P. pengilleyi declined at sites with high C. signifera abundance. Our results suggest that when reservoir hosts are present, population declines of susceptible species may continue long after the initial emergence of Bd, highlighting an urgent need to assess extinction risk in remnant populations of other declined amphibian species.     

Using a Bayesian network to clarify areas requiring research in a host–pathogen system

Bayesian network analyses can be used to interactively change the strength of effect of variables in a model to explore complex relationships in new ways. In doing so, they allow one to identify influential nodes that are not well studied empirically so that future research can be prioritized. We identified relationships in host and pathogen biology to examine disease‐driven declines of amphibians associated with amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis). We constructed a Bayesian network consisting of behavioral, genetic, physiological, and environmental variables that influence disease and used them to predict host population trends. We varied the impacts of specific variables in the model to reveal factors with the most influence on host population trend. The behavior of the nodes (the way in which the variables probabilistically responded to changes in states of the parents, which are the nodes or variables that directly influenced them in the graphical model) was consistent with published results. The frog population had a 49% probability of decline when all states were set at their original values, and this probability increased when body temperatures were cold, the immune system was not suppressing infection, and the ambient environment was conducive to growth of B. dendrobatidis. These findings suggest the construction of our model reflected the complex relationships characteristic of host–pathogen interactions. Changes to climatic variables alone did not strongly influence the probability of population decline, which suggests that climate interacts with other factors such as the capacity of the frog immune system to suppress disease. Changes to the adaptive immune system and disease reservoirs had a large effect on the population trend, but there was little empirical information available for model construction. Our model inputs can be used as a base to examine other systems, and our results show that such analyses are useful tools for reviewing existing literature, identifying links poorly supported by evidence, and understanding complexities in emerging infectious‐disease systems.     

净化SO2的生物膜填料塔中微生物类群分析

对净化废气中SO2的生物膜填料塔内的微生物进行了分离纯化并做鉴定,得到一株嗜酸性氧化硫硫杆菌（Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans IEL001）和一株分类地位非常接近链二孢属（Bispora sp.）的极端嗜酸真菌IEL002,生物膜填料塔内的极端酸性环境和有机营养的缺乏导致生物膜上的微生物种类较为单一,多样性程度不高。本研究还发现IEL002自身并不能氧化单质硫,但它能促进Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans IEL001对单质硫的氧化。     

一株降解邻苯二甲酸酯真菌的筛选及其降解特性研究

采用富集培养法,从PAEs污染的农田土壤中筛选出1株邻苯二甲酸酯类化合物(PAEs)降解真菌F9,经形态学特征及18S rDNA序列分析,初步鉴定为爪哇正青霉(Eupenicillum javanicun).通过正交试验研究,得出菌株F9的最优降解条件是:C:N为20:1、pH为7.0、最佳PAEs初始浓度为50 mg·L^-1.菌株F9对土壤中复合PAEs(DMP、DEP和DOP)有良好的降解效果.在30 d培养期内,可将灭菌土壤中300 mg·kg^-1的PAEs降解65.2%,且培养第一阶段(0~15 d)的降解率远高于第二阶段(16~30 d).     

Management of the Panzootic White‐Nose Syndrome through Culling of Bats

Abstract: The probability of persistence of many species of hibernating bats in the United States is greatly reduced by an emerging infectious disease, white‐nose syndrome (WNS). In the United States WNS is rapidly spreading and is associated with a psychrophilic fungus, Geomyces destructans. WNS has caused massive mortality of bats that hibernate. Efforts to control the disease have been ineffective. The culling of bats in hibernacula has been proposed as a way to break the transmission cycle or slow the spread of WNS. We formulated a disease model to examine the efficacy of culling to abate WNS in bat populations. We based the model dynamics on disease transmission in maternity roosts, swarms, and hibernacula, which are the arenas of contact among bats. Our simulations indicated culling will not control WNS in bats primarily because contact rates are high among colonial bats, contact occurs in multiple arenas, and periodic movement between arenas occurs. In general, culling is ineffective in the control of animal diseases in the wild.     

一株木材腐朽菌及其粗酶液对七氯的降解

Phlebia acanthocystis TMIC34875是一株具有七氯降解能力的木材腐朽菌。为利用微生物技术去除环境中的七氯残留提供理论依据,研究了该菌株及其粗酶液对七氯的降解性能及其动力学特性。结果表明,菌株在七氯的初始浓度为50μmol/L时具有最大降解速率,为0.3031μmol/（L·h）;而菌体接种量为15%时,降解速率达到最高,为0.2045μmol/（L·h）。降解酶定位研究表明,七氯的降解主要是胞内酶在起作用。七氯胞内酶降解的酶促反应最适温度是35℃,在30-40℃之间有较高的催化活性;最适pH值为5.0,在pH 4.5-6.0之间有较高的催化活性,最适条件下反应1 h后七氯的降解率为65%。胞内粗酶液降解七氯的米氏常数K m为5.42μmol/L,最大反应速率V max为4.55μmol/min。胞内酶处理体系的GC/MS图谱显示,主要降解产物为1-羟基六氯、1-羟基-2,3-环氧六氯和环氧七氯,表明胞内酶对七氯的初始代谢机理同菌株相似,均是通过环氧化和置换反应来完成的。     

两种霉菌试验标准的剖析和试验结果的比较

从霉菌试验菌种、试验温湿度对霉菌试验的影响以及实际试验结果的统计方面进行对比分析，探讨分析GJB150.10—86和GJB4.10—83两个霉菌试验军用标准的适用性。     

Types of Ectomycorrhiza of Mature Beech and Spruce at Ozone-Fumigated and Control Forest Plots

In the Kranzberg forest near Freising (Germany) a novel “Free-Air Canopy O₃ Exposure” system has been employed for analysing O₃-induced responses from sub-cellular to ecosystem levels that are relevant for carbon balance and CO₂ demand of 60-year-old beech trees. The below-ground ectomycorrhizal community was studied in two-fold ambient O₃ concentrations (five cores per sampling) and in a control plot with an ambient O₃ concentration (four cores per sampling). Five samplings were taken throughout two vegetation seasons (2003 and 2004). Types of ectomycorrhiza were determined by their morphological, anatomical and molecular characteristics and quantified by counting. The total number of mycorrhizal fine roots was higher at the fumigated plot as compared with the control site. The numbers of ectomycorrhizal types at the fumigated and control plots were 28 and 26, respectively. Cenococcum geophilum was present in all soil cores at all sampling times with a significant increase in abundance under ozone-fumigated trees. Other mycorrhizal types present at higher abundance at the fumigated than at the control plot were identified as Russula densiflora, R. fellea, R. illota, Tuber puberulum, Lactarius sp. 2 and Russula sp. 2. Some mycorrhizal types were present exclusively at the fumigated plot (Fagirhiza fusca, F. setifera, Lactarius acris, Piceirhiza nigra and Russula sp. 1). A possible ecological role for the abundant types of ectomycorrhiza and their putative application in bio-indication is discussed.     

Piriformospora indica confers cadmium tolerance in Nicotiana tabacum

Piriformospora indica, a root-colonizing endophytic fungus of Sebacinales, promotes plant growth and confers resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses. In order to confirm the influence of P. indica on growth, proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), chlorophyll, and cadmium (Cd) amounts in Nicotiana tabacum under Cd stress, hydroponics, pot and field trials were conducted. The results showed that P. indica can store Cd in plant roots and reduce leaf Cd content, reduce the concentration of MDA, and increase the proline and chlorophyll content and the activities of catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase under hydroponic Cd stress. RT-PCR analysis showed that the relative expression level of genes Gsh2, TaPCS1, oas1, GPX, and Hsp70 in colonized plants was 4.3, 1.4, 2.9, 1.7, and 6.9 fold higher than in un-colonized plants respectively. Cd exposure significantly reduced un-colonized plants'' agronomic traits compared to P. indica-colonized ones. Our results suggested that P. indica can sequester Cd in roots, so that much less cadmium was transported to leaves, and the increased concentrations of antioxidant enzymes, pigments and proline contents, as well as the higher expression of stress-related phytochelatin biosynthesis genes in P. indica-inoculated plants, may also serve to protect N. tabacum plants against oxidative damage, enhancing Cd tolerance.