Identification of a Novel Streptomyces sp. Strain HU2014 Showing Growth Promotion and Biocontrol Effect Against Rhizoctonia spp. in Wheat.

Wheat sharp eyespot is a serious disease caused by the phytopathogens Rhizoctonia cerealis and R. solani. Some species in the genus Streptomyces have been identified as potential biocontrol agents against phytopathogens. In this investigation, the physiological, biochemical, phylogenetic, and genomic characteristics of strain HU2014 indicate that it is a novel Streptomyces sp. most closely related to Streptomyces albireticuli. Strain HU2014 exhibited strong antifungal activity against R. cerealis G11 and R. solani YL-3. Ultraperformance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry on the four extracts from the extracellular filtrate of strain HU2014 identified 10 chemical constituents in the Natural Products Atlas with high match levels (more than 90%). In an antifungal efficiency test on wheat sharp eyespot, two extracts significantly reduced the lesion areas on bean leaves infected by R. solani YL-3. The drenching of wheat in pots with spore suspension of strain HU2014 demonstrated a control efficiency of 65.1% against R. cerealis G11 (compared with 66.9% when treated by a 30% hymexazol aqueous solution). Additionally, in vitro and pot experiments demonstrated that strain HU2014 can produce indoleacetic acid, siderophores, extracellular enzymes, and solubilized phosphate, and it can promote plant growth. We conclude that strain HU2014 could be a valuable microbial resource for growth promotion of wheat and biological control of wheat sharp eyespot.

[Compensation effect of re-watering after different drought stresses on source-sink metabolism during tuber expansion period of potato.] / 马铃薯块茎膨大期不同程度干旱后复水的源库补偿效应.

The compensation effect of re-watering after drought has been widely reported in various crops during different growth stages. It is considered as an important self-regulation mechanism for plants to resist abiotic stresses and also an efficient utilization of limited water resource. In this study, two rounds of re-watering after drought treatments were carried out during tuber expansion period of potato, to investigate the drought threshold of potato and explore the potential mechanisms of compensation effect with source-sink aspect. We used virus-free plantlets of "Atlantic" potato as experimental materials. Four treatments were included: sufficient water supply (W), re-watering after mild drought (D1-W), re-watering after medium drought (D2-W) and re-watering after severe drought (D3-W). The results showed that potato yield exhibited an over-compensation effect after two rounds of D1-W treatment, with water use efficiency and yield being increased by 17.5% and 6.3%, respectively, compared with the sufficient water supply. D2-W treatment had no significant effect on potato yield, but water use efficiency was increased by 8.4%, indicating a near-equivalent compensation effect. On the contrary, D3-W treatment did not show any compensation effect in yield. In addition, leaf chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate, and leaf area were all reduced after drought treatment, indicating a reduction in "source" size and activity. After re-watering, D1-W and D2-W treatments showed over-compensation and compensation effects through improving source supply capacity. Meanwhile, re-watering after moderate drought increased the sink activity through significantly enhancing the activities of key enzymes in tubers (sink), thus increased the average weight of tubers. In conclusion, re-watering after moderate drought stress during potato tuber expansion period had compensation and over-compensation effects on both source and sink, and thus could compensate for the drought-induced yield loss and improve water use efficiency.

[Randomized controlled study on the treatment of knee osteoarthritis with different acupuncture methods at different stages].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) treated with different acupuncture methods at different stages. METHODS: One hundred and eighty cases of KOA were divided into stagnation stage, fascia cramp stage and tendon lesion stage according to the condition of disease, 60 cases in each stage. Each stage was randomized into a staging treatment group and an electroacupuncture (EA) group, 30 cases in each one. In the staging treatment group, acupuncture at the tendon points of meridians and electric thermal needling method were adopted for the cases at the stagnation stage; the small needle-knife therapy and bleeding method were used for the cases at the fascia cramp stage; and the electric thermal therapy with thick silver needles was applied for the cases at the tendon lesion stage. In the EA group, EA was applied for the cases of all the three stages at Liangqiu (ST 34), Xuehai (SP 10), Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 96.1% (87/90) in the staging treatment group and was 91.1% (82/90) in the EA group, without significant difference in comparison (P > 0.05). The controlled and remarkably effective rate (88.9%, 80/90) in the staging treatment group was higher apparently than (62.2%, 56/90) in the EA group (P < 0.001). And in the EA group, with the disease progression and the further disease stages, the controlled and remarkably effective rate was reduced. After treatment, the scores of symptoms and signs were decreased in both groups (both P < 0.001), the improvement in the staging treatment group was superior to that in the EA group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The different acupuncture methods at the three stages improve obviously the clinical effect and are highly targeted. The mechanism of the three stages on "meridian muscle region pathology" and the treatment based on the disease stages can be the effective approach to KOA.

[Effect of manshuailing oral liquid on left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with heart disease of Xin-Shen Yang deficiency type].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Manshuailing Oral Liquid (MSL) on left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in patients with heart disease. METHODS: Ninety patients with LVDD were randomly divided into the conventional treated group (Group A, treated by conventional treatment with western drugs of cardiotonic, diuretic, coronary dilator, etc.) and the Chinese drug treated group (Group B, treated by conventional treatment plus MSL 2 times a day, 100 ml each time), 45 in each group. After 4 months treatment, the total heart failure coefficient (HFC) and cardiac functions were re-determined. RESULTS: After treatment, in both groups, the HFC lowered significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), the left ventricular peak velocity of early diastolic rapid filling (Emas) quickened, the left atrial systolic peak velocity (Amas) slowed down and Emas/Amas (E/A) enhanced, the isovolumetric relaxation time shortened. However, comparison between the two groups showed significant difference (P < 0.05) in either item, Group B was superior to Group A (P < 0.05). In the 62 patients with mixed heart failure, i.e. both systolic and diastolic dysfunction of left ventricle, Group B was superior to Group A in increasing ejection fraction, cardiac output and thickening rate of left ventricular posterior wall (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MSL could improve the heart function of patients with LVDD, and alleviate their clinical symptoms.

[A clinical study on manshuailing oral liquid in treating elder patients with congestive heart failure of type heart and kidney yang deficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of manshuailing oral liquid on patients with congestive heart failure of type heart and kidney Yang deficiency. METHOD: 90 patients of heart failure were randomly divided into 2 groups. 45 cases in the routine treatment group (RT) received general therapy including diuretics and digitalis, and 45 cases in the Chinese herb medicine group (CH) were treated basically with the above medicine, with additional manshuailing oral liquid. The clinical effect was summarized 6 weeks after treatment. RESULT: Total effect rate was 82.2% and 62.2% in CH and RTgroup respectively. Compared with pretreatment, heart function including stroke volume (SV), stroke volume index (SVI), cardiac index (CI), shorten rate of left ventricular short axe (deltaD%), distance of inter-ventricular septal to mitral valve (EPSS) were all improved significantly in both groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and with even better effects in the CH group than the RT group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), except the SV. CONCLUSION: Manshuailing oral liquid can alleviate clinical symptom, decreased EPSS, increase deltaD% and improve heart function.

[Effects of shenqifuxin oral liquid on the plasma kaliuretic peptide, the myocardial contractility and relaxation of left ventricle and the left ventricular remodeling in experimental rats with heart failure].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Shenqifuxin oral liquid(SQFXOL) on plasma kaliuretic peptide (KP), atrial natriuretic polypeptide(ANP), angiotension II (Ang II), endothelin(ET) and the left ventricular remodeling and the myocardial contractility and relaxation of left ventricle in experimental rats with heart failure(HF). METHOD: The SD rat model with HF was produced by constricting abdominal aorta. Hemodynamic parameters including maximum rate of intraventricular pressure rise (+dp/dtmax), left ventricular systolic pressure(LVSP), maximum velocity of contractile element shortening(Vmax), maximum rate of intraventricular pressure down(-dp/dtmax) and left ventricular end diastolic pressure(LVEDP) were measured by the method of the catheterization. Plasma concentrations of KP, ANP, Ang II and ET were determined by radioimmunoassays. The effects of treatment were evaluated by observing and comparing the changes of heart morphological structure, collagen element, heart weight/body weight ratio (HW/BW), left intraventricular area(LVA) and myocardial nuclei number (MNN) per square area. RESULT: In high dose SQFXOL group, the LVSP, -dp/dtmax and Vmax were increased, while LVEDP was decreased, and plasma concentrations of KP, Ang II and ET were decreased. In comparision with those in model group, the difference was significant(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Though the +dp/dtmax and the level of ANP were decreased, the difference was insignificant(all P > 0.05). The collagen tissues around myocardial cells were reduced. HW/BW and LVA were lower, and MNN per square area was higher significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The indices of +dp/dtmax in all of treatment groups and control group were not considerably different in comparison with those in model group. The levels of plasma ANP in middle dose group and low dose group were significantly lower than those in model group(all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: SQFXOL can reduce the plasma concentrations of KP, Ang II, ET, and ANP, improve the myocardial contractility and relaxation of left ventricular and inhibitate left ventricular remodeling in rats with HF.