Strategies to manage hepatitis C virus infection disease burden-Volume 4

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic was forecasted through 2030 for 17 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, and interventions for achieving the Global Health Sector Strategy on viral hepatitis targets-"WHO Targets" (65% reduction in HCV-related deaths, 90% reduction in new infections and 90% of infections diagnosed by 2030) were considered. Scaling up treatment and diagnosis rates over time would be required to achieve these targets in all but one country, even with the introduction of high SVR therapies. The scenarios developed to achieve the WHO Targets in all countries studied assumed the implementation of national policies to prevent new infections and to diagnose current infections through screening.

Photoacoustic Imaging for Noninvasive Periodontal Probing Depth Measurements

The periodontal probe is the gold standard tool for periodontal examinations, including probing depth measurements, but is limited by systematic and random errors. Here, we used photoacoustic ultrasound for high-spatial resolution imaging of probing depths. Specific contrast from dental pockets was achieved with food-grade cuttlefish ink as a contrast medium. Here, 39 porcine teeth (12 teeth with artificially deeper pockets) were treated with the contrast agent, and the probing depths were measured with novel photoacoustic imaging and a Williams periodontal probe. There were statistically significant differences between the 2 measurement approaches for distal, lingual, and buccal sites but not mesial. Bland-Altman analysis revealed that all bias values were < ±0.25 mm, and the coefficients of variation for 5 replicates were <11%. The photoacoustic imaging approach also offered 0.01-mm precision and could cover the entire pocket, as opposed to the probe-based approach, which is limited to only a few sites. This report is the first to use photoacoustic imaging for probing depth measurements with potential implications to the dental field, including tools for automated dental examinations or noninvasive examinations.

Dark Matter Search Results from the PICO-60 C_{3}F_{8} Bubble Chamber

New results are reported from the operation of the PICO-60 dark matter detector, a bubble chamber filled with 52 kg of C_{3}F_{8} located in the SNOLAB underground laboratory. As in previous PICO bubble chambers, PICO-60 C_{3}F_{8} exhibits excellent electron recoil and alpha decay rejection, and the observed multiple-scattering neutron rate indicates a single-scatter neutron background of less than one event per month. A blind analysis of an efficiency-corrected 1167-kg day exposure at a 3.3-keV thermodynamic threshold reveals no single-scattering nuclear recoil candidates, consistent with the predicted background. These results set the most stringent direct-detection constraint to date on the weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP)-proton spin-dependent cross section at 3.4×10^{-41}  cm^{2} for a 30-GeV c^{-2} WIMP, more than 1 order of magnitude improvement from previous PICO results.

[The correlation analysis of the cochlear hydrops degree found by MRI angiography with Meiniere's disease classification]

Objective:To investigate the correlation between the levels of cochlear hydrops with the clinic classification of Meniere's disease(MD).Method:3D-FlAIR MRI was performed 24 hours after intratympanic injection of 8-fold diluted Gadopentetate Dimeglumine in 31 patients with unilateral MD. We evaluated the levels of cochlear hydrops and further analyzed the correlation between the levels of cochlear hydrops and thresholds of pure tone audiometry and clinic classification of MD. Result:MRI image clearly distinguished perilymph from endolymph in the labyrinth. The images showed different levels of enhancement of perilymphatic fluid spaces. In the 31 patients, obvious signs of endolymphatic hydrops were found, including 4 cases of level 0, 6 cases of level 1, 11 cases of level 2 and 10 cases of level 3. Their average hearing threshold was(54.37±3.88)dB HL. The levels of cochlear hydrops were significantly correlated with pure tone audiometry thresholds （r=0.636，P<0.01） and MD classification(r=0.516,P<0.01). None of the patients after intratympanic injection complained about discomfort or happened with any complications such as eardrum perforation, infection, and so on. Conclusion:The degree of endolymphatic hydrops based on MRI in MD patient has significant correlation with the pure tone audiometry and classification of disease. The examination can act as an objective index for MD diagnosis.

MICA/B genotyping of Tujias from Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China

One hundred eighty-seven Tujia individuals from Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China were genotyped at the MICA and MICB loci using polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific priming and sequencing-based typing methods. MICA and MCB genotypes are consistent with expected HW proportions. These genotype data are available in the Allele Frequencies Net Database.

Asian-Pacific clinical practice guidelines on the management of hepatitis B: a 2015 update

Worldwide, some 240 million people have chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV), with the highest rates of infection in Africa and Asia. Our understanding of the natural history of HBV infection and the potential for therapy of the resultant disease is continuously improving. New data have become available since the previous APASL guidelines for management of HBV infection were published in 2012. The objective of this manuscript is to update the recommendations for the optimal management of chronic HBV infection. The 2015 guidelines were developed by a panel of Asian experts chosen by the APASL. The clinical practice guidelines are based on evidence from existing publications or, if evidence was unavailable, on the experts' personal experience and opinion after deliberations. Manuscripts and abstracts of important meetings published through January 2015 have been evaluated. This guideline covers the full spectrum of care of patients infected with hepatitis B, including new terminology, natural history, screening, vaccination, counseling, diagnosis, assessment of the stage of liver disease, the indications, timing, choice and duration of single or combination of antiviral drugs, screening for HCC, management in special situations like childhood, pregnancy, coinfections, renal impairment and pre- and post-liver transplant, and policy guidelines. However, areas of uncertainty still exist, and clinicians, patients, and public health authorities must therefore continue to make choices on the basis of the evolving evidence. The final clinical practice guidelines and recommendations are presented here, along with the relevant background information.

Efficacy of Deanxit in management of negative emotions in patients with digestive system malignant tumors

AIM: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Deanxit in the management of negative emotions in patients with digestive system malignant tumors.

METHODS: One hundred and thirty-three patients with digestive system malignant tumors and negative emotions treated at the Nanchang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine from October 2012 to October 2014 were divided into either a treatment group (n = 68) or a control group (n = 65). There was no significant difference in tumor histology, distribution, age, gender or course of disease between the two groups. Patients in both groups were given conventional anti-cancer therapy, and Deanxit and placebo were additionally given to the treatment group and control group, respectively. All patients were followed once every two weeks, during which Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) score, Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) score and any side effects were assessed. Treatment outcomes were evaluated after 8 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS: After 8 weeks of treatment, patients from both groups showed significant relief in terms of depression (HAMD, treatment group: 8.5 ± 3.2 vs 23.1 ± 4.5; control group: 12.3 ± 5.2 vs 22.9 ± 4.1) and anxiety (HAMA, treatment group: 7.8 ± 2.6 vs 25.9 ± 4.3; control group: 14.5 ± 4.4 vs 26.1 ± 4.7; P < 0.05 both). Symptom relief was more significant in the treatment group than in control group, as demonstrated by both HAMD (8.5 ± 3.2 vs 12.3 ± 5.2, P < 0.05) and HAMA (7.8 ± 2.6 vs 14.5 ± 4.4, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Deanxit is effective and safe in the management of negative emotions in patients with digestive system malignant tumors and can help improve the quality of life of patients.

Development of EST-SSR markers related to disease resistance and their application in genetic diversity and evolution analysis in Gossypium

Cotton (Gossypium spp) is one of the most economically important crops that provide the world's most widely used natural fiber. Diseases such as Fusarium wilt and particularly Verticillium wilt seriously affect cotton production, and thus breeding for disease resistance is one of the most important goals of cotton breeding programs. Currently, potential exists to improve disease resistance in cultivated cotton. Increasing the understanding of the distribution, structure, and organization of genes or quantitative trait loci for disease resistance will help the breeders improve crop yield even in the event of disease. To facilitate the mapping of disease-resistance quantitative trait loci to achieve disease-resistant molecular breeding in cotton, it is necessary to develop polymorphic molecular markers. The objective of this study was to develop simple sequence repeat markers based on cotton expressed sequence tags for disease resistance. The efficacy of these simple sequence repeat markers, their polymorphisms, and cross-species transferability were evaluated. Their value was further investigated based on genetic diversity and evolution analysis. In this study, the unique sequences used to develop markers were compared with the G. arboretum and G. raimondii genome sequences to investigate their position, homology, and collinearity between G. arboretum and G. raimondii.

MIC gene polymorphism and haplotype diversity in Zhuang nationality of Southern China

Zhuang ethnic minority is the largest minority group in China. Here, we report for the first time the polymorphisms of MICA and MICB in a healthy Zhuang population of 209 unrelated individuals. Using polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific priming (PCR-SSP) and sequencing-based typing (PCR-SBT), 13 MICA-sequence alleles and 5 MICA-STR alleles, as well as 11 MICB alleles were detected, among which MICA(∗)010, MICA(∗)A5 and MICB(∗)005:02 were the most frequent alleles. Linkage disequilibria was investigated and the most common two-locus haplotypes were MICB(∗)005:02-MICA(∗)010 and MICB(∗)014-MICA(∗)045. These results suggest informative genetic markers for investigating origins and evolution of MHC class I region haplotypes in Zhuang population.

First Report of Anthracnose Disease on Young Stems of Bawanghua (Hylocereus undatus) Caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in China

Hylocereus undatus widely grows in southern China. Some varieties are planted for their fruits, known as dragon fruits or Pitaya, while some varieties for their flowers known as Bawanghua. Fresh or dried flowers of Bawanghua are used as routine Chinese medicinal food. Since 2008, a serious anthracnose disease has led to great losses on Bawanghua flower production farms in the Baiyun district of Guangzhou city in China. Anthracnose symptoms on young stems of Bawanghua are reddish-brown, sunken lesions with pink masses of spores in the center. The lesions expand rapidly in the field or in storage, and may coalesce in the warm and wet environment in spring and summer in Guangzhou. Fewer flowers develop on infected stems than on healthy ones. The fungus overwinters in infected debris in the soil. The disease caused a loss of up to 50% on Bawanghua. Putative pathogenic fungi with whitish-orange colonies were isolated from a small piece of tissue (3 × 3 mm) cut from a lesion margin and cultured on potato dextrose agar in a growth chamber at 25°C, 80% RH. Dark colonies with acervuli bearing pinkish conidial masses formed 14 days later. Single celled conidia were 11 to 18 × 4 to 6 μm. Based on these morphological characteristics, the fungi were identified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Penz. & Sacc (2). To confirm this, DNA was extracted from isolate BWH1 and multilocus analyses were completed with DNA sequence data generated from partial ITS region of nrDNA, actin (ACT) and glutamine synthetase (GS) nucleotide sequences by PCR, with C. gloeosporioides specific primers as ITS4 (5'-TCCTCCGCTTATTGATATGC-3') / CgInt (5'-GGCCTCCCGCCTCCGGGCGG-3'), GS-F (5'-ATGGCCGAGTACATCTGG-3') / GS-R (5'-GAACCGTCGAAGTTCCAC-3') and actin-R (5'-ATGTGCAAGGCCGGTTTCGC-3') / actin-F (5'-TACGAGTCCTTCTGGCCCAT-3'). The sequence alignment results indicated that the obtained partial ITS sequence of 468 bp (GenBank Accession No. KF051997), actin sequence of 282 bp (KF712382), and GS sequence of 1,021 bp (KF719176) are 99%, 96%, and 95% identical to JQ676185.1 for partial ITS, FJ907430 for ACT, and FJ972589 for GS of C. gloeosporioides previously deposited, respectively. For testing its pathogenicity, 20 μl of conidia suspension (1 × 10⁶ conidia/ml) using sterile distilled water (SDW) was inoculated into artificial wounds on six healthy young stems of Bawanghua using sterile fine-syringe needle. Meanwhile, 20 μl of SDW was inoculated on six healthy stems as a control. The inoculated stems were kept at 25°C, about 90% relative humidity. Three independent experiments were carried out. Reddish-brown lesions formed after 10 days, on 100% stems (18 in total) inoculated by C. gloeosporioides, while no lesion formed on any control. The pathogen was successfully re-isolated from the inoculated stem lesions on Bawanghua. Thus, Koch's postulates were fulfilled. Colletotrichum anthracnose has been reported on Pitaya in Japan (3), Malaysia (1) and in Brazil (4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of anthracnose disease caused by C. gloeosporioides on young stems of Bawanghua (H. undatus) in China. References: (1) M. Masyahit et al. Am. J. Appl. Sci. 6:902, 2009. (2) B. C. Sutton. Page 402 in: Colletotrichum Biology, Pathology and Control. J. A. Bailey and M. J. Jeger, eds. CAB International, Wallingford, UK, 1992. (3) S. Taba et al. Jpn. J. Phytopathol. 72:25, 2006. (4) L. M. Takahashi et al. Australas. Plant Dis. Notes 3:96, 2008.

Expression of cytochrome P450 1A1/2 and 3A4 in liver tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma cases and controls from Taiwan and their relationship to hepatitis B virus and aflatoxin B1-and 4-aminobiphenyl-DNA adducts

Cytochrome P450 enzymes play a major role in the metabolism of several of the chemical carcinogens involved in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To investigate by immunohistochemistry interindividual differences in these enzymes, polyclonal antisera and immunoperoxidase staining were used to detect the expression of CYP1A1/2 and 3A4 in 37 surgical control tissues and 105 tumour and adjacent nontumour tissues of HCC cases from Taiwan. There was variability in the expression and staining pattern for both CYP1A1/2 and 3A4 in all tissue types. In tissues from controls, there was no correlation between P450 expression and smoking history or hepatitis B virus antigen status. Since these samples had been previously analysed for the DNA adducts of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a dietary mould contaminant, and 4-aminobiphenyl (4-ABP), a component of cigarette smoke, we also investigated the relationship between P450 levels and DNA adducts. 4-ABP-DNA adducts were higher in tissues with elevated levels of CYP1A1/2 (p = 0.02). Overall there was no relationship between CYP1A1/2 or CYP3A4 and AFB1-DNA adducts in control tissues. Staining intensity for CYP1A1/2 and 3A4 followed the order: tumour tissues < control tissues < adjacent non-tumour tissues. CYP1A1/2 levels tended to be lower in tumour and adjacent non-tumour tissues than for CYP3A4. In HCC cases, 4-ABP-DNA adducts were higher in subjects with higher levels of CYP1A1/2, stratified by tissue type, but these differences were not significant. For CYP3A4, in contrast to control tissues, there was a significant association with AFB1-DNA adducts in tumour and adjacent non-tumour tissue of HCC cases. These results suggest that one factor influencing carcinogen-DNA adducts is levels of specific P450 enzymes. However, adduct formation in vivo is a complex processes dependent upon numerous genetic and environmental factors.

Functional analysis of the β2 -tubulin gene of Fusarium graminearum and the β-tubulin gene of Botrytis cinerea by homologous replacement

BACKGROUND

Resistance to carbendazim and other benzimidazole fungicides in Botrytis cinerea and most other fungi is usually conferred by one or several allelic mutations in the β-tubulin. Carbendazim resistance in Fusarium graminearum, however, differs from that in B. cinerea and other fungi in that F. graminearum has two β-tubulins (Fgtub1 and Fgtub2) rather than one, and the resistance is conferred by mutations in the β2 -tubulin. In a previous study, the β1 -tubulin of F. graminearum (Fgtub1) was replaced with the β-tubulin of B. cinerea conferring carbendazim resistance (BctubE198A). The transformants were sensitive to carbendazim.

RESULTS

BctubE198A was successfully transferred into the β2 -tubulin locus of F. graminearum (Fgtub2) via homologous replacement. The mutants were still sensitive to carbendazim. Furthermore, Fgtub2 of the mutant 20C1 (Fgtub1 had been replaced with BctubE198A) and Fgtub1 of the mutant 20D10 (Fgtub2 had been replaced with BctubE198A) were deleted. Surprisingly, the mutants were also sensitive to carbendazim. Meanwhile, the biological characteristics of all the mutants were determined.

CONCLUSION

The B. cinerea β-tubulin (Bctub) could complement the function of the two F. graminearum β-tubulins even when both were deleted. Expression of the β-tubulin conferring carbendazim resistance differs between pathogenic fungi.

A comparative study of loratadine syrup and cyproheptadine HCL solution for treating perennial allergic rhinitis in Taiwanese children aged 2-12 years

We assessed the efficacy of loratadine syrup compared with cyproheptadine HCl solution for treating children aged from 2 to 12 years with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) in Taiwan. Sixty children with mite-induced PAR were enrolled and randomly placed into two treatment groups: loratadine syrup or cyproheptadine HCl solution. Treatment efficacy and symptom changes from baseline to post-treatment were evaluated by total symptom scores and visual analogue scales (VAS) during a 2-week period. There were no differences in age, gender, height, or weight between the two groups. After 2 weeks of treatment, there was a significantly greater reduction in symptom scores in the loratadine group than in the cyproheptadine group (p&#x003C;0.001). Clinical and subjective VAS showed significant differences in percentage changes from baseline between the loratadine and cyproheptadine groups at all time points (all p&#x003C;0.001, in favor of loratadine). Clinical VAS change at week 1: 95.1 vs 11.3; subjective VAS change at week 1: 88.6 vs 13.6; clinical VAS change at week 2: 125.5 vs 18.3; subjective VAS change at week 2: 101.4 vs 7.1. Thus, loratadine was superior to cyproheptadine for alleviating both nasal and non-nasal symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis in Taiwanese children aged 2-12 years.

Regulation of chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan and reactive gliosis after spinal cord transection: effects of peripheral nerve graft and fibroblast growth factor 1

AIMS

The combined treatment of peripheral nerve (PN) graft and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1 for spinal cord injury produces functional recovery, but how it affects injury events is still unknown. This project studied the effect of PN graft and FGF-1 on white matter degeneration following spinal cord injury.

METHODS

Rats were divided into four groups: (i) complete spinal cord transection and T8 segment removed; the remaining three groups underwent transection followed by (ii) PN grafting; (iii) supply of exogenous FGF-1; and (iv) PN grafting plus FGF-1 treatment. Chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan (CSPG) deposition, astrocytes and macrophage activation, cavity size, and calcitonin gene-related peptide and synaptophysin immunoreactivity were compared.

RESULTS

Peripheral nerve grafting increased CSPG levels compared to transection surgery alone. This CSPG was associated with the proximity to the PN graft. FGF-1 reduced CSPG deposition in grafted animals regardless of the proximity to the graft. The CSPG reduction was accompanied by reduced GFAP expression and macrophage activation. The amount of CSPG with dissociated glycosaminoglycan did not differ between groups. FGF-1 in Schwann cell-astrocyte coculture did not reduce CSPG deposition. Furthermore, the PN graft increased the calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactivity and altered the distribution of synaptophysin-positive axons.

CONCLUSION

Peripheral nerve graft supported sensory re-innervation and partial protection of the grey matter, but up-regulated CSPG in the graft-stump junction compared to non-grafted rats. The reduction of CSPG was caused by FGF-1-PN synergy, and did not involve dissociation of CSPG or the suppression of a general immune response.

Correlates of anti-EBV EBNA1 IgA positivity among unaffected relatives from nasopharyngeal carcinoma multiplex families

Background:

To determine whether non-viral nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) risk factors might be associated with (and mediated through) Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) serological responses linked to NPC risk, we evaluated predictors of risk of anti-EBNA1 IgA seropositivity and other markers among unaffected relatives from a large NPC family study in Taiwan.

Methods:

Multivariate logistic regression conditioned on family was used to examine the associations between sociodemographic, dietary, lifestyle, and occupational variables and risk of anti-EBV EBNA1 IgA positivity, anti-VCA IgA, and anti-DNase positivity.

Results:

Among 2393 unaffected relatives from 319 multiplex families, 1180 (49.3%) were anti-EBV EBNA1 IgA seropositive. None of the associations with anti-EBNA1 IgA were statistically significant, except for being 31–50 years of age (vs <30, adjusted ORs 0.51–0.57). For one or more EBV serological markers, there were suggestive associations for older age, GuangDong firm salted fish, betel use, current alcohol use, and male gender.

Conclusion:

Overall, we found little evidence to suggest that non-viral NPC risk factors significantly alter EBV serological patterns, suggesting that non-viral NPC risk factors act through pathways independent of EBV serological responses.

Body mass, tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking and risk of cancer of the small intestine--a pooled analysis of over 500,000 subjects in the Asia Cohort Consortium

BACKGROUND

The evidence for a role of tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking, and body mass index (BMI) in the etiology of small intestine cancer is based mainly on case-control studies from Europe and United States.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We harmonized the data across 12 cohort studies from mainland China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan, comprising over 500,000 subjects followed for an average of 10.6 years. We calculated hazard ratios (HRs) for BMI and (only among men) tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking.

RESULTS

A total of 134 incident cases were observed (49 adenocarcinoma, 11 carcinoid, 46 other histologic types, and 28 of unknown histology). There was a statistically non-significant trend toward increased HR in subjects with high BMI [HR for BMI>27.5 kg/m2, compared with 22.6-25.0, 1.50; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76-2.96]. No association was suggested for tobacco smoking; men drinking>400 g of ethanol per week had an HR of 1.57 (95% CI 0.66-3.70), compared with abstainers.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study supports the hypothesis that elevated BMI may be a risk factor for small intestine cancer. An etiologic role of alcohol drinking was suggested. Our results reinforce the existing evidence that the epidemiology of small intestine cancer resembles that of colorectal cancer.

Localisation of the benzimidazole fungicide binding site of Gibberella zeae β2-tubulin studied by site-directed mutagenesis

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of benzimidazole fungicides is often limited by resistance, and this is the case with the use of carbendazim for controlling Fusarium head blight caused by Gibberella zeae (Schwein.) Petch (anamorph Fusarium graminearum). Recent studies have shown that carbendazim resistance in field strains of G. zeae is associated with mutations in the β(2)-tubulin gene. The aims of the present study were to validate this mechanism and research the binding sites of carbendazim on β(2)-tubulin.

RESULTS

This work used site-directed mutagenesis followed by gene replacement to change the β(2)-tubulin gene of a carbendazim-sensitive field strain of G. zeae at residues 50, 167, 198 or 200. The transformants were confirmed and tested for their sensitivity to carbendazim. All the mutants were resistant to carbendazim, but the level of resistance differed depending on the mutation. Biological characteristics did not differ between the field strain and the site-directed mutants. A three-dimensional model of β(2)-tubulin was constructed, and the possible carbendazim binding site was analysed.

CONCLUSION

Mutations at codons 50, 167, 198 and 200 of G. zeae β(2)tub could cause resistance to carbendazim, and these codons may form a binding pocket.

Transfer of the beta-tubulin gene of Botrytis cinerea with resistance to carbendazim into Fusarium graminearum

BACKGROUND

Resistance to carbendazim and other benzimidazole fungicides in Botrytis cinerea (Pers. ex Fr.) and most other fungi is usually conferred by mutation(s) in a single chromosomal beta-tubulin gene, often with several allelic mutations. In Fusarium graminearum Schwade, however, carbendazim resistance is not associated with a mutation in the corresponding beta-tubulin gene.

RESULTS

The beta-tubulin gene conferring carbendazim resistance in B. cinerea was cloned and connected with two homologous arms of the beta-tubulin gene of F. graminearum by using a double-joint polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This fragment was transferred into F. graminearum via homologous double crossover at the site where the beta-tubulin gene of F. graminearum is normally located (the beta-tubulin gene of F. graminearum had been deleted). The transformants were confirmed and tested for their sensitivity to carbendazim.

CONCLUSION

The beta-tubulin gene conferring carbendazim resistance in B. cinerea could not express this resistance in F. graminearum, as transformants were still very sensitive to carbendazim.

Multiple Resistance of Botrytis cinerea from Vegetable Crops to Carbendazim, Diethofencarb, Procymidone, and Pyrimethanil in China

One hundred and eight isolates of Botrytis cinerea from greenhouse cucumber and tomato in two locations in Jiangsu Province (Nanjing and Huaiyin) and one location in Shandong Province were tested for their sensitivities to the four fungicides commonly used in China. Isolates with resistance to all four fungicides-carbendazim, diethofencarb, procymidone, and pyrimethanil (Car^RDie^RPrc^RPyr^R)-were found in all three regions in this study. High frequencies (52 and 53%) of resistance to all four fungicides were observed among the 62 isolates collected in Nanjing and the 36 isolates collected in Huaiyin in Jiangsu Province. The 10 isolates from Shandong Province were all resistant to the four fungicides. Pathogenicity and sporulation in vivo, and mycelial growth, sporulation, spore germination, and osmotic sensitivity to NaCl in vitro, were similar for the group of quadruple-resistant and wild-type isolates (P > 0.05). In the present study, the complete two-component histidine kinase gene (Bos1) was sequenced for 10 procymidone-resistant and 3 procymidone-sensitive B. cinerea isolates. Isolates representing four different procymidone-resistant phenotypes (Car^RDie^SPrc^RPyr^S, Car^RDie^RPrc^RPyr^S, Car^RDie^RPrc^RPyr^R, and Car^RDie^RPrc^RPyr^R) all had nucleic acid point mutations resulting in amino acid changes at position 369 (change from glutamine to proline) as well as at amino acid position 373 (asparagine to serine) in the Bos1 gene.

Mutations in a beta-tubulin confer resistance of Gibberella zeae to benzimidazole fungicides

ABSTRACT Wheat head blight caused by Gibberella zeae (anamorph: Fusarium graminearum) is a threat to food safety in China because of mycotoxin contamination of the harvested grain, the frequent occurrence of the disease, and the failure of chemical control in some areas due to benzimidazole resistance in the pathogen population. The molecular resistance mechanism, however, of G. zeae to benzimidazole fungicides (especially carbendazim; active ingredient: methyl benzimidazol-2-yl carbamate [MBC]) is poorly understood. DNA sequences of a beta-tubulin gene (beta(2)tub) (GenBank access number FG06611.1) in G. zeae were analyzed. Mutations in beta(2)tub in moderately resistant strains (MBC(MR)) included TTT (Phe)-->TAT (Tyr) at codon 167 or TTC (Phe)-->TAC (Tyr) at codon 200. A highly resistant strain (MBC(HR)) had two point mutations, one at codon 73, CAG (Gln)-->CGG (Arg), and the other at codon 198, GAG (Glu)-->CTG (Leu). To confirm that mutations in the beta(2)tub confer resistance to benzimidazole fungicides, the entire beta(2)tub locus was deleted from MBC(MR) and MBC(HR) strains of G. zeae. The resulting Deltabeta(2)tub mutants from both MBC(MR) and MBC(HR) strains grew normally on MBC-free potato dextrose agar medium and were supersensitive to MBC. Complementation of the Deltabeta(2)tub mutants by transformation with a copy of the intact beta(2)tub locus from their parent strains exhibited less resistance than the original strains, and complementation of the Deltabeta(2)tub mutants by transformation with a copy of the intact beta(2)tub locus from sensitive strains restored MBC sensitivity. The results indicated that the mutations in the beta(2)tub gene conferred resistance of G. zeae to benzimidazole fungicides and this gene can be used as a genetic marker in G. zeae.

The evaluation of whitening efficacy of cosmetic products using a human skin pigmentation spot model

BACKGROUND

To establish a pigmentation spot model on human skin and to assess whitening efficacy for whitening products by this established pigmentation spot model.

METHODS

Twenty subjects between 20 and 45 years old with skin phototype III or IV were selected. Three consecutive daily UV exposures were performed on buttocks of the subjects as follows: Day 1=1 minimal erythema dose (MED), Day 2=0.5 MED and Day 3=0.5 MED. After the first UV exposure, a selected whitening product was applied to the subjects twice a day on UV exposure area. The application of the whitening product to subjects on the exposed areas was continued till Day 27. CM2500d chromameter, Maxmeter MX18 and visual evaluation were used to assess changes of skin color.

RESULTS

A pigmentation spot model after UV exposure was established. The measurement of the pigment spot showed that L* value declined abruptly at Day 3 and then slowly reached to a lowest point at Day 6. L* value of the pigment spot almost remained at the same level until Day 20, thereafter increased slowly. The a* value showed an abrupt increase at Day 3 and slowly reached to a maximal level at Day 6. The a* value slowly declined toward its baseline level. Likewise, the erythema index also increased significantly at Day 3, and reached to a maximal level at Day 6 and then slowly declined. However, L*, a* and erythema indices did not return to their baseline levels during the 27-day period of this study. On the other hand, b* value started to increase from Day 3 and such increase was observed continuously to Day 27. Melanin index also showed a slow increase during the first 3 days. It started to increase rapidly from Day 3 and a to maximal level at Day 9 and maintain at a plateau till Day 27 (with an exception at Day 13). To assess the whitening product by this pigmentation spot model, DeltaL, Deltab*, and DeltaM values were analyzed. It showed that absolute DeltaL value and Deltab*value of whitening products were lower than those values of the vehicle of the whitening product at each checkpoint, while DeltaM value of the whitening product was lower only at Day 9 and Day 20, although no statistically significant differences was found. The visual results also strongly supported that the whitening product enhanced the decrease of pigmentation.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that repeated UV exposure was able to induce a long extensive period of pigment formation. The resulted pigmentation spot was able to maintain at an elevated level till Day 20. Clinical subjective evaluations together with combined objective instrument measurements were still important to assess whitening and spot-removing ability of a material due to the instrument limitation for color differentiations. This kind of pigmentation spot model can be used to assess whitening efficacy for whitening or spot-removing products. In addition, the combinations of subjective and objective methods were able to serve as advisable references to assess the whitening efficacy of products.