Grafting height does not affect Fusarium wilt control or horticultural performance of Passiflora gibertii N.E.Br. rootstock.

The influence of the grafting height (5, 10, 20 and 30 cm above the root collar) of P. edulis on P. gibertii was evaluated on the incidence of Fusarium wilt and horticultural performance. Plants of P. gibertii grafted on P. edulis and non-grafted plants of both species were also studied. In addition, histopathological studies were also performed on the roots of non-grafted P. edulis collected at three severity stages of Fusarium wilt. In greenhouse, the graft take was inversely related to the grafting height in general. In the field conditions, the plant growth of P. gibertii grafted on P. edulis was superior to its reciprocal grafting, even though the former combination was susceptible to Fop. Plants of P. edulis grafted on P. gibertii at all grafting heights did not present symptoms of Fop, and the number of fruit yield and quality were equivalent, but plant growth was decreased in relation to the non-grafted plants. Starch depletion in the root system of P. edulis was directly related to the severity of the Fusarium wilt. P. gibertii was confirmed as a Fusarium wilt resistant rootstock of P. edulis, with minimal influence of the grafting height for the control of the disease.

In Vitro and In Vivo Cytogenotoxic Effects of Hot Aqueous Extract of Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) DC.

In this work we extend the toxicological studies of hot aqueous extract of A. satureioides (As-HAE) evaluating cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We also determine genotoxic action of this extract in vivo. In addition, the extract was chemically characterized. Finally, we established a comparison with previous data of cold aqueous extract. The As-HAE induced cytotoxicity on PBMCs determined by trypan blue dye exclusion (CC50 = 653 µg/mL) and MTT (CC50 = 588 µg/mL) assays being more toxic than cold extract. However, As-HAE as well as cold extract did not induce apoptosis measured by Hoechst 33258 staining, TUNEL assay, and DNA fragmentation analysis. The in vivo micronucleus test showed that As-HAE exerted cytogenotoxic effects on bone marrow of mice, contrary to what was observed with cold extract. The chemical study of As-HAE allowed identifying the flavonoids found in cold extract: luteolin, quercetin, and 3-O-methylquercetin, but at higher concentrations. We suggest that toxic effects induced by As-HAE could be due to high concentrations of these flavonoids. Given that As-HAE is the most used in folkloric medicine, its administration should be controlled in order to prevent potential cell damage.

Plasma corticosterone levels in mouse models of pain.

BACKGROUND: Pain markedly activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and increases plasma corticosterone release interfering significantly with nociceptive behaviour as well as the mechanism of action of analgesic drugs. AIMS/METHODS: In the present study, we monitored the time course of circulating corticosterone in two mouse strains (C57Bl/6 and Balb/C) under different pain models. In addition, the stress response was investigated following animal handling, intrathecal (i.t.) manipulation and habituation to environmental conditions commonly used in nociceptive experimental assays. We also examined the influence of within-cage order of testing on plasma corticosterone. RESULTS: Subcutaneous injection of capsaicin precipitated a prompt stress response whereas carrageenan and complete Freund's adjuvant induced an increased corticosterone release around the third hour post-injection. However, carrageenan induced a longer increased corticosterone in C57Bl/6 mice. In partial sciatic nerve ligation, neuropathic pain model corticosterone increased only in the first days whereas mechanical hypersensitivity remained much longer. Animal handling also represents an important stressor whereas the i.t. injection per se does not exacerbate the handling-induced stress response. Moreover, the order of testing animals from the same cage does not interfere with plasma corticosterone levels in the intrathecal procedure. Animal habituation to the testing apparatus also does not reduce the immediate corticosterone increase as compared with non-habituated mice. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that HPA axis activation in acute and chronic pain models is time dependent and may be dissociated from evoked hyperalgesia. Therefore, HPA-axis activation represents an important variable to be considered when designing experimental assays of persistent pain as well as for interpretation of data.

Genotypic, phenotypic, and clinical characteristics of isolates of Helicobacter pylori from San Luis, Argentina.

The vacA and cagA genotypes of Helicobacter pylori exhibited distinct geographic distribution and correlation with severity of disease. In the above genotypes (obtained from 150 H. pylori-positive patients--139 with gastritis, 10 with ulcer and 1 patient with gastric cancer) combinations vacA s1/m1 and s2/m2 were detected using PCR in 75 and 25% of isolates, respectively, in patients with chronic gastritis. The of s1/m1 and s2/m2 combinations were also detected from ulcers (60 and 40%, respectively). The cagA was detected in 30% of isolates. Concentrated culture supernatants of 7 (64%) out of 11 H. pylori strains induced vacuolization in Vero cells in titers ranging from 1:5 to 1:40. The vacA s1 genotype was significantly associated with, but not predictive of the presence of vacuolating cytotoxin activity and the cagA gene.

[Determination of the antibacterial and antiviral activity of the essential oil from Minthostachys verticillata (Griseb.) Epling]. / Determinación de la actividad antibacteriana y antiviral del aceite esencial de Minthostachys verticillata (Griseb.) Epling.

The in vitro antiviral activity of the essential oil from Minthostachys verticillata was investigated against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and pseudorabies virus (PrV). The viral inhibition was assayed employing viral plaque reduction assay. The antiviral activity of the essential oil specifically affects PrV and HSV-1 multiplication, since it was found that non toxic effects on cells were observed at the concentrations assayed. The therapeutic index values were 10.0 and 9.5 for HSV-1 and PrV, respectively. The antibacterial activity was studied using a diffusion assay and the broth tube dilution method. Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive to inhibition by plant essential oil than the gram-negative bacteria. The essential oil of M. verticillata was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) technique. Of the six components identified in the volatile oil, pulegone (44.56%) and menthone (39.51%) were the major constituents. The antimicrobial activity can be explained to some extent by the presence of pulegone. Results suggest that further investigations concerning the isolation of the substance responsible for the antimicrobial activity and an effort to define the mechanisms of action are warranted.

Determinación de la actividad antibacteriana y antiviral del aceite esencial de Minthostachys verticillata (Griseb. ) Epling / Determination of the antibacterial and antiviral activity of the essential oil from Minthostachys verticillata (Griseb. ) Epling

The in vitro antiviral activity of the essential oil from Minthostachys verticillata was investigated against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and pseudorabies virus (PrV). The viral inhibition was assayed employing viral plaque reduction assay. The antiviral activity of the essential oil specifically affects PrV and HSV-1 multiplication, since it was found that non toxic effects on cells were observed at the concentrations assayed. The therapeutic index values were 10.0 and 9.5 for HSV-1 and PrV, respectively. The antibacterial activity was studied using a diffusion assay and the broth tube dilution method. Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive to inhibition by plant essential oil than the gram-negative bacteria. The essential oil of M. verticillata was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) technique. Of the six components identified in the volatile oil, pulegone (44.56) and menthone (39.51) were the major constituents. The antimicrobial activity can be explained to some extent by the presence of pulegone. Results suggest that further investigations concerning the isolation of the substance responsible for the antimicrobial activity and an effort to define the mechanisms of action are warranted.(AU)

Determinación de la actividad antibacteriana y antiviral del aceite esencial de Minthostachys verticillata (Griseb. ) Epling / Determination of the antibacterial and antiviral activity of the essential oil from Minthostachys verticillata (Griseb. ) Epling

The in vitro antiviral activity of the essential oil from Minthostachys verticillata was investigated against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and pseudorabies virus (PrV). The viral inhibition was assayed employing viral plaque reduction assay. The antiviral activity of the essential oil specifically affects PrV and HSV-1 multiplication, since it was found that non toxic effects on cells were observed at the concentrations assayed. The therapeutic index values were 10.0 and 9.5 for HSV-1 and PrV, respectively. The antibacterial activity was studied using a diffusion assay and the broth tube dilution method. Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive to inhibition by plant essential oil than the gram-negative bacteria. The essential oil of M. verticillata was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) technique. Of the six components identified in the volatile oil, pulegone (44.56) and menthone (39.51) were the major constituents. The antimicrobial activity can be explained to some extent by the presence of pulegone. Results suggest that further investigations concerning the isolation of the substance responsible for the antimicrobial activity and an effort to define the mechanisms of action are warranted.

Determinación de la actividad antibacteriana y antiviral del aceite esencial de Minthostachys verticillata (Griseb.) Epling. / [Determination of the antibacterial and antiviral activity of the essential oil from Minthostachys verticillata (Griseb.) Epling]

The in vitro antiviral activity of the essential oil from Minthostachys verticillata was investigated against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and pseudorabies virus (PrV). The viral inhibition was assayed employing viral plaque reduction assay. The antiviral activity of the essential oil specifically affects PrV and HSV-1 multiplication, since it was found that non toxic effects on cells were observed at the concentrations assayed. The therapeutic index values were 10.0 and 9.5 for HSV-1 and PrV, respectively. The antibacterial activity was studied using a diffusion assay and the broth tube dilution method. Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive to inhibition by plant essential oil than the gram-negative bacteria. The essential oil of M. verticillata was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) technique. Of the six components identified in the volatile oil, pulegone (44.56

) and menthone (39.51

) were the major constituents. The antimicrobial activity can be explained to some extent by the presence of pulegone. Results suggest that further investigations concerning the isolation of the substance responsible for the antimicrobial activity and an effort to define the mechanisms of action are warranted.

Search for antiviral activity of certain medicinal plants from Córdoba, Argentina.

The antiviral activity of alcoholic extracts of several species belonging to the Asteraceae, Labiatae, Plantaginaceae, Schizaceae, Umbelliferae, Usneaceae and Verbenaceae families has been studied. The tests were carried out in Vero celís-pseudorabies virus strain RC/79 (herpes suis virus) system. Eight plant extracts (Achyrocline satureioides, Ambrossia tenuifolia, Baccharis articulata, Eupatorium buniifolium, Mynthostachys verticillata, Plantago brasiliensis, Plantago mayor L and Verbascum thapsus) were able to inhibit at least 2 log, the viral infectivity.

[Experimental infection of pregnant gilts with Aujeszky's disease virus strain RC/79]. / Infección experimental de cerdas preñadas con virus de la enfermedad de Aujeszky cepa RC/79.

The RC/79 strain of the Aujeszky's disease virus was able to induce reproductive failure of pregnant gilts intranasally inoculated at different gestation periods. Four gilts 40-46 days pregnant (group A) and 6 gilts 70-73 days pregnant (group B) were instilled with 0.2 ml x 10(5) tissue culture infectious dose 50 (TCID50/0.2 ml) of the RC/79 strain into each nostril. Two gilts 70-73 days pregnant (group C) were used as non exposed controls. The three groups were kept in separated boxes and they were observed for clinical signs of infections and samples were collected for determination of viral shedding every day. Viral isolation was attempted in Vero cells (figure 1). From the 2nd to 7th day after inoculation, groups A and B showed fever anorexia, sneezing, coughing and depression; and viral isolation from nasal swabs was possible in 7 gilts at days 4 to 11, 9 gilts developed neutralizing antibodies. The virus caused fetal reabsorption in swine during the first period of pregnancy (group A), while infection during late pregnancy resulted in still birth or normal pigs and one mummification (group B). The entire a live litter was composed of no more than 8 suckling pigs in both groups. At necropsy virus from turbinates, ovary , placenta, spleen and lung could be isolated only from 3 gilts (group B, table 1). In 5 of 35 stillbirth and alive fetuses virus could be isolated from spleen (100%), lung (80%), liver (60%) and brain (40%) indicating that the virus has the ability to cross the placental barrier thus producing lesions in porcine fetuses and causing reproductive failure in sows (table 2). Tissue specimens from these 35 fetuses were fixed in 10% formalin, included in paraffin sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. In 13 fetuses microscopic lesions i.e. necrotic foci were found in lung (60%), liver (40%) and spleen (20%), these alterations were coincident with gross lesions in most of them. Inclusion bodies were absent. The gilts organs did not present gross lesions.

Infección experimental de cerdas preñadas con virus de la enfermedad de Aujeszky cepa RC/79. / [Experimental infection of pregnant gilts with Aujeszkys disease virus strain RC/79]

The RC/79 strain of the Aujeszkys disease virus was able to induce reproductive failure of pregnant gilts intranasally inoculated at different gestation periods. Four gilts 40-46 days pregnant (group A) and 6 gilts 70-73 days pregnant (group B) were instilled with 0.2 ml x 10(5) tissue culture infectious dose 50 (TCID50/0.2 ml) of the RC/79 strain into each nostril. Two gilts 70-73 days pregnant (group C) were used as non exposed controls. The three groups were kept in separated boxes and they were observed for clinical signs of infections and samples were collected for determination of viral shedding every day. Viral isolation was attempted in Vero cells (figure 1). From the 2nd to 7th day after inoculation, groups A and B showed fever anorexia, sneezing, coughing and depression; and viral isolation from nasal swabs was possible in 7 gilts at days 4 to 11, 9 gilts developed neutralizing antibodies. The virus caused fetal reabsorption in swine during the first period of pregnancy (group A), while infection during late pregnancy resulted in still birth or normal pigs and one mummification (group B). The entire a live litter was composed of no more than 8 suckling pigs in both groups. At necropsy virus from turbinates, ovary , placenta, spleen and lung could be isolated only from 3 gilts (group B, table 1). In 5 of 35 stillbirth and alive fetuses virus could be isolated from spleen (100

), lung (80

), liver (60

) and brain (40

) indicating that the virus has the ability to cross the placental barrier thus producing lesions in porcine fetuses and causing reproductive failure in sows (table 2). Tissue specimens from these 35 fetuses were fixed in 10

formalin, included in paraffin sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. In 13 fetuses microscopic lesions i.e. necrotic foci were found in lung (60

), liver (40

) and spleen (20

), these alterations were coincident with gross lesions in most of them. Inclusion bodies were absent. The gilts organs did not present gross lesions.

Infección experimental de cerdas preñadas con virus de la enfermedad de Aujeszky cepa RC/79. / [Experimental infection of pregnant gilts with Aujeszkys disease virus strain RC/79]

The RC/79 strain of the Aujeszkys disease virus was able to induce reproductive failure of pregnant gilts intranasally inoculated at different gestation periods. Four gilts 40-46 days pregnant (group A) and 6 gilts 70-73 days pregnant (group B) were instilled with 0.2 ml x 10(5) tissue culture infectious dose 50 (TCID50/0.2 ml) of the RC/79 strain into each nostril. Two gilts 70-73 days pregnant (group C) were used as non exposed controls. The three groups were kept in separated boxes and they were observed for clinical signs of infections and samples were collected for determination of viral shedding every day. Viral isolation was attempted in Vero cells (figure 1). From the 2nd to 7th day after inoculation, groups A and B showed fever anorexia, sneezing, coughing and depression; and viral isolation from nasal swabs was possible in 7 gilts at days 4 to 11, 9 gilts developed neutralizing antibodies. The virus caused fetal reabsorption in swine during the first period of pregnancy (group A), while infection during late pregnancy resulted in still birth or normal pigs and one mummification (group B). The entire a live litter was composed of no more than 8 suckling pigs in both groups. At necropsy virus from turbinates, ovary , placenta, spleen and lung could be isolated only from 3 gilts (group B, table 1). In 5 of 35 stillbirth and alive fetuses virus could be isolated from spleen (100

), lung (80

), liver (60

) and brain (40

) indicating that the virus has the ability to cross the placental barrier thus producing lesions in porcine fetuses and causing reproductive failure in sows (table 2). Tissue specimens from these 35 fetuses were fixed in 10

formalin, included in paraffin sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. In 13 fetuses microscopic lesions i.e. necrotic foci were found in lung (60

), liver (40

) and spleen (20

), these alterations were coincident with gross lesions in most of them. Inclusion bodies were absent. The gilts organs did not present gross lesions.

Infección experimental de cerdas preñadas con virus de la enfermedad de Aujeszky cepa RC/79 / [Experimental infection of pregnant gilts with Aujeszky’s disease virus strain RC/79]

The RC/79 strain of the Aujeszky’s disease virus was able to induce reproductive failure of pregnant gilts intranasally inoculated at different gestation periods. Four gilts 40-46 days pregnant (group A) and 6 gilts 70-73 days pregnant (group B) were instilled with 0.2 ml x 10(5) tissue culture infectious dose 50 (TCID50/0.2 ml) of the RC/79 strain into each nostril. Two gilts 70-73 days pregnant (group C) were used as non exposed controls. The three groups were kept in separated boxes and they were observed for clinical signs of infections and samples were collected for determination of viral shedding every day. Viral isolation was attempted in Vero cells (figure 1). From the 2nd to 7th day after inoculation, groups A and B showed fever anorexia, sneezing, coughing and depression; and viral isolation from nasal swabs was possible in 7 gilts at days 4 to 11, 9 gilts developed neutralizing antibodies. The virus caused fetal reabsorption in swine during the first period of pregnancy (group A), while infection during late pregnancy resulted in still birth or normal pigs and one mummification (group B). The entire a live litter was composed of no more than 8 suckling pigs in both groups. At necropsy virus from turbinates, ovary , placenta, spleen and lung could be isolated only from 3 gilts (group B, table 1). In 5 of 35 stillbirth and alive fetuses virus could be isolated from spleen (100

) and brain (40

) indicating that the virus has the ability to cross the placental barrier thus producing lesions in porcine fetuses and causing reproductive failure in sows (table 2). Tissue specimens from these 35 fetuses were fixed in 10

formalin, included in paraffin sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. In 13 fetuses microscopic lesions i.e. necrotic foci were found in lung (60

) and spleen (20

), these alterations were coincident with gross lesions in most of them. Inclusion bodies were absent. The gilts organs did not present gross lesions.

Infección experimental de cerdas preñadas con virus de la enfermedad de Aujeszky cepa RC/79 / [Experimental infection of pregnant gilts with Aujeszky’s disease virus strain RC/79]

The RC/79 strain of the Aujeszky’s disease virus was able to induce reproductive failure of pregnant gilts intranasally inoculated at different gestation periods. Four gilts 40-46 days pregnant (group A) and 6 gilts 70-73 days pregnant (group B) were instilled with 0.2 ml x 10(5) tissue culture infectious dose 50 (TCID50/0.2 ml) of the RC/79 strain into each nostril. Two gilts 70-73 days pregnant (group C) were used as non exposed controls. The three groups were kept in separated boxes and they were observed for clinical signs of infections and samples were collected for determination of viral shedding every day. Viral isolation was attempted in Vero cells (figure 1). From the 2nd to 7th day after inoculation, groups A and B showed fever anorexia, sneezing, coughing and depression; and viral isolation from nasal swabs was possible in 7 gilts at days 4 to 11, 9 gilts developed neutralizing antibodies. The virus caused fetal reabsorption in swine during the first period of pregnancy (group A), while infection during late pregnancy resulted in still birth or normal pigs and one mummification (group B). The entire a live litter was composed of no more than 8 suckling pigs in both groups. At necropsy virus from turbinates, ovary , placenta, spleen and lung could be isolated only from 3 gilts (group B, table 1). In 5 of 35 stillbirth and alive fetuses virus could be isolated from spleen (100

) and brain (40

) indicating that the virus has the ability to cross the placental barrier thus producing lesions in porcine fetuses and causing reproductive failure in sows (table 2). Tissue specimens from these 35 fetuses were fixed in 10

formalin, included in paraffin sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. In 13 fetuses microscopic lesions i.e. necrotic foci were found in lung (60

) and spleen (20

), these alterations were coincident with gross lesions in most of them. Inclusion bodies were absent. The gilts organs did not present gross lesions.