Cell Wall Destruction and Internal Cascade Synergistic Antifungal Strategy for Fungal Keratitis.

Fungal keratitis is one of the most common blindness-causing diseases, but clinical antifungal treatment remains a challenge. The fungal cell wall and biofilm matrix which severely confine the drug preparation are the critical obstructive factors to therapeutic effects. Herein, we report ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) modified AgCu2O nanoparticles (AgCuE NPs) to disrupt the cell wall and then eradicate C. albicans through the internal cascade synergistic effects of ion-released chemotherapy, chemodynamic therapy, photodynamic therapy, and mild photothermal therapy. AgCuE NPs exhibited excellent antifungal activity both in preventing biofilm formation and in destroying mature biofilms. Furthermore, AgCuE NP based gel formulations were topically applied to kill fungi, reduce inflammation, and promote wound healing, using optical coherence tomography and photoacoustic imaging to monitor nanogel retention and therapeutic effects on the infected murine cornea model. The AgCuE NP gel showed good biosafety and no obvious ophthalmic and systemic side effects. This study suggests that the AgCuE NP gel is an effective and safe antifungal strategy for fungal keratitis with a favorable prognosis and potential for clinical translation.

[Effects of lead, copper and cadmium stresses on growth and inherent quality of Prunalla vulgaris].

OBJECTIVE: Prunalla vulgaris was used as the experimental material to study the effects of lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) on the related physiological and growth indexes of the plant. METHOD: By referencing the GAP and the soil environmental quality standard, the growth and inherent quality of the plant were observed under different concentrations of the heavy metals stresses. The data were statistically processed. RESULT: The results showed that the plant grew normally when the heavy metal concentrations in soil were close to up limits of the soil environmental quality standard II. The content of heavy metal in spica met the requirement of the standard, and under the circumstances the content of ursolic acid was increased in a certain range. The critical values of Pb, Cu, Cd in the P. vulgaris grown soil were set at 450, 100, 1.0 mg x kg(-1), respectively. CONCLUSION: The harmful influence of the heavy metal stress at a lower concentration is lighter than at a higher concentration, and it could increase the content of ursolic acid. The stress of Pb, Cu and Cd is more obvious than that of Zn.

[Study on morphological characteristics of pollen grains of Pinellia ternata in different populations].

OBJECTIVE: To study the genetic diversity of pollen grains morphologies of Pinellia ternata in different populations and supply palynological evidences for further research. METHOD: Pollen exine ultrastructure were compared for 18 populations growing under in the same environment by means of scanning electron microscope(SEM). RESULT AND CONCLUSION: Big difference was found in pollen size among populations of P. ternata: the mean value of seventeen populations of P. ternata with bulbils was 17.42 microm x 14.86 microm, the biggest of populations originated from Jangyan city is 20.43 micromx 18.16 microm, but the least originated from Peixian County is only 15.23 microm x 12.82 microm; the size of populations without bulbils originated from Linguo Temple side was only 13.23 microm x 11.98 microm and far less than of all populations with bulbils. The pollen surface of all populations sticks out with spines, varying in size and density, the base and top part of spinules was different among populations. The pollen grains patterns of germination apertures of P. ternata was likely to have colpate cover.

[Studies on sex identification and variation of endogenous hormones in female and male plants of Gynostemma pentaphyllum].

OBJECTIVE: To distinguish female and male plants of Gynostemma pentaphyllum quickly and accurately in the stage of seedling and to understand the relation between sex differentiation and endogenous plant hormone. METHOD: Stained methods of BTB and enzyme linked immuno-sorbent Assay were used. RESULT: 10 Hours after being dyed, the liquid extract of female plants turned into yellow, while extract of male ones turned green. There were obvious differences on iPAs and GA(1 + 3) contents but no differences on IAA and ABA contents between male and female plants during the stages of seedling and vegetative growth. CONCLUSION: BTB can be used for distinguishing female and male plants and there were a certain relation between sex and endogenous plant hormones.