Some Cheilostomata (Bryozoa) from the Java Sea, central Indonesian Archipelago, with a description of Pleurocodonellina jeparaensis n. sp. (Smittinidae).

The Java Sea region has a high diversity of marine organisms of interest to scientists and tourists alike. Neglected among this diversity are intertidal bryozoans, relatively few of which have been reported from this area. Here we describe six species, one of which is new to science. These were collected from three shallow-water localities-Karimunjawa Marine National Park, Awur Bay and Panjang Island-in the south-central part of the sea. The five known species belong to the families Candidae, Poricellariidae, Onychocellidae, Lepraliellidae, and Phidoloporidae. The new species, Pleurocodonellina jeparaensis n. sp. (Smittinidae), is found at Awur Bay, attached to a bivalve shell fragment. Biogeographically, the suite of species is predominantly tropical Indo-West Pacific in distribution, representing a small fraction of the additional hundreds of species that are anticipated for the Java Sea region.

Antiviral activity of some Tunisian medicinal plants against Herpes simplex virus type 1.

Fifteen species of Tunisian traditional medicinal plants, belonging to 10 families, were selected for this study. They were Inula viscosa (L.) Ait and Reichardia tingitana (L.) Roth ssp. discolor (Pom.) Batt. (Asteraceae), Mesembryanthemum cristallinum L. and M. nodiflorum L. (Aizoaceae), Arthrocnemum indicum (Willd.) Moq., Atriplex inflata Muell., A. parvifolia Lowe var. ifiniensis (Caball) Maire, and Salicornia fruticosa L. (Chenopodiaceae), Cistus monspeliensis L. (Cistaceae), Juniperus phoenicea L. (Cupressaceae), Erica multiflora L. (Ericaceae), Frankenia pulverulenta L. (Frankeniaceae), Hypericum crispum L. (Hypericaceae), Plantago coronopus L. ssp. eu-coronopus Pilger var. vulgaris G.G. (Plantaginaceae) and Zygophyllum album L. (Zygophyllaceae). Fifty extracts prepared from those plants were screened in order to assay their antiviral activity against Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), using neutral red incorporation. Extracts from eight plants among these 15 showed some degree of antiviral activity, while the methanolic extract of E. multiflora was highly active with EC(50) of 132.6 microg mL(-1). These results corroborate that medicinal plants from Tunisia can be a rich source of potential antiviral compounds.

Inhibition of marine bacteria by extracts of macroalgae: potential use for environmentally friendly antifouling paints.

Although a total ban on the use of TBT coatings is not expected in the short term, there is a growing need for environmentally safe antifouling systems. A search for new non-toxic antifoulants has been carried out among marine macroalgae. Antifouling activity of aqueous, ethanolic and dichloromethane extracts from 30 marine algae from Brittany coast (France) was examined in vitro against 35 isolates of marine bacteria. About 20% of the extracts were found to be active. The high levels of inhibitory activities against bacteria recorded in some extracts and the absence of toxicity on the development of oyster and sea urchin larvae and to mouse fibroblast growth suggests a potential for novel active ingredients in antifouling preparations.

Inhibition of the development of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) by extracts of marine algae from Brittany, France.

The inhibitory effects of aqueous, ethanolic and dichloromethane fractions from 16 marine algae from the Atlantic shores of North-East Brittany, France, have been investigated against microorganisms frequently associated with immersed surfaces. The extracts were tested in vitro against isolates of marine fungi, bacteria and yeasts potentially involved at different stages in the formation of biofilms in the sea. The high levels of inhibitory activity of nine extracts against marine fungi and Gram-positive bacteria and their apparent absence of toxicity against larvae of oysters and sea urchins suggests a potential for novel active ingredients.

Antiviral and anticoagulant activities of a water-soluble fraction of the marine diatom Haslea ostrearia.

A water-soluble fraction from the marine diatom Haslea ostrearia was capable to inhibit the in vitro replication of HSV-1 in Vero cells with 50% inhibitory concentration (EC50) of 14 micrograms/ml at a multiplicity of infection of 0.01 ID50/cells. In addition, this fraction delayed the HIV-1-induced syncitia formation on MT4 cells. At concentrations up to 200 micrograms/ml, no cytotoxicity was observed for both the Vero and MT4 cells. The fraction only inhibited the blood coagulation process at concentrations considerably exceeding the EC50.

Antiproliferative effects of an organic extract from the marine diatom Skeletonema costatum (Grev.) Cleve. Against a non-small-cell bronchopulmonary carcinoma line (NSCLC-N6).

An organic extract of the marine diatom Skeletonema costatum was studied in vitro for its effect on asynchronous cells of a human non-small-cell bronchoplumanory carcinoma line (NSCLC-N6). Cell growth appeared to be inhibited in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, and kinetic studies in pretreated cells showed that this growth arrest was irreversible. These events are related to a terminal maturation induction.

Effects in vitro of sulfated polysaccharide from Schizymenia dubyi (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales) on a non-small-cell bronchopulmonary carcinoma line (NSCLC-N6).

An unusual sulfated heteropolysaccharide containing uronic acids, previously isolated from the red alga Schizymenia dubyi, was studied in vitro for its effect on asynchronous cells of a human non-small-cell-bronchopulmonary carcinoma line (NSCLC-N6). Cell growth appeared to be inhibited in the G1 phase of the cell cycle, and kinetic studies in pretreated cells showed that this growth arrest was irreversible. These events are related to a terminal maturation induction.