Detecção de 'CA. Phytoplasma phoenicium' em plantas de pervinca (Cathranthus roseus) em Uttar Pradesh, Índia

Cathranthus roseus also known as periwinkle, an ornamental plant contains several medicinal values, was found with the symptoms of little leaf and witches' broom at Shahjahanpur location with the incidence of up to 8%. The phytoplasma etiology was confirmed through scanning electron microscopy examination in all the four-leaf samples. Molecular analysis through PCR with universal primer pairs P1/P6 followed by nested PCR with R16F2n/R16r2 primers yielded ~1.2kbp amplicons in all the four symptomatic leaf samples. One amplicon was eluted, purified, sequenced, and used in BLASTn searches, which showed maximum identity of periwinkle isolate with several isolates of 16SrIX group of phytoplasma. Further, phylogenic analysis and in silico RFLP confirmed the association of 16SrIX-C subgroup phytoplasma in little leaf and witches broom plants which is the first report from India.

Catharanthus roseus (Apocynaceae) naturally infected with diverse phytoplasmas in Costa Rica / Catharanthus roseus (Apocynaceae) naturalmente infectada con diversos fitoplasmas en Costa Rica

Abstract Phytoplasmas (class Mollicutes) are causal agents of plant diseases with an economic impact on crops or threatening local biodiversity. A survey was conducted from 2012 to 2016 on infected Catharanthus roseus plants that exhibited symptoms reminiscent of phytoplasma infection throughout Costa Rica. A total of 73 plants were collected exhibiting symptoms such as virescence, phyllody, axillary proliferation, little leaf, leaf malformation, chlorosis, or yellowing. All samples were tested by nested PCR using phytoplasma universal and specific primer pairs. Phytoplasma infection was detected in 52 (71.2 %) of the plants collected. Phytoplasmas of six subgroups belonging to 16Sr groups I, III, IX, XIII and XV were identified based on sequencing and in silico RFLP analyses. 'Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris' (16SrI) was the predominant group among the positive samples (n = 30) showing variety of symptoms and wide distribution from sea level to ca. 1 400 m.a.s.l. in six of the seven Costa Rican provinces. Group 16SrIII was the second most abundant (14 samples); and the remaining three groups were seldom found in C. roseus (8 samples). Moreover, group 16SrXIII phytoplasma was detected for the first time in the country. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of natural infection of C. roseus with phytoplasma subgroups 16SrI-B, 16SrI-P, 16SrIII-F, 16SrIX-F, 16SrXIII-A, and 16SrXV-B in Costa Rica and Central America.

Resumen Los fitoplasmas (clase Mollicutes) son agentes causales de enfermedades de plantas que provocan pérdidas económicas o amenazan la biodiversidad local. Una recolecta de plantas de Catharanthus roseus que mostraban síntomas de posible infección con fitoplasmas se realizó en diferentes lugares de Costa Rica desde 2012 a 2016. Un total de 73 plantas fueron recolectadas con síntomas tales como viriscencia, filodia, brotación axilar múltiple, reducción foliar, deformación foliar, clorosis, y amarillamiento. Todas las muestras fueron evaluadas mediante PCR anidado usando los pares de imprimadores universales y específicos para fitoplasmas. Infección por fitoplasmas se detectó en 52 (71.2 %) de las muestras. Fitoplasmas de seis subgrupos dentro de los grupos 16Sr I, III, IX, XIII y XV fueron identificados basados en secuenciación del ADN y análisis de polimorfismos de restricción (RFLP) in silico. El grupo predominante encontrado en las muestras positivas (n = 30) fue el 16SrI ('CandidatusPhytoplasma asteris'), éste mostró variedad de síntomas y amplia distribución desde el nivel del mar hasta casi los 1 400 m.s.n.m. en seis de las siete provincias de Costa Rica. El grupo 16SrIII fue el segundo más abundante (14 muestras); y los restantes tres grupos se encontraron en pocas muestras de C. roseus (8 muestras). Además, fitoplasmas del grupo 16SrXIII se detectaron por primera vez en el país. De acuerdo a nuestro conocimiento, este es el primer informe de infección natural de C. roseus con fitoplasmas de los subgrupos 16SrI-B, 16SrI-P, 16SrIII-F, 16SrIX-F, 16SrXIII-A y 16SrXV-B en Costa Rica y Centroamérica.

Adverse Factors and the Role of Cisplatin and Vinca Alkaloids for Hearing Impairment in Childhood Cancer Patients and Survivors / 임상소아혈액종양

BACKGROUND: Although combined chemotherapy has increased survival rates among children with cancer, such treatments can induce sensorineural hearing loss. Therefore, we aimed to identify risk factors for hearing impairments in patients with childhood cancer.METHODS: Audiograms were obtained from 115 patients with childhood cancer and survivors (age < 20 years). Pure tone audiometry (PTA) was performed at octave intervals within the range of 250-8000 Hz. We evaluated clinical risk factors associated with hearing impairments. Hearing loss was evaluated based on the maximal decibel (dB) loss in any frequency for each ear (RA(max) or LA(max)) and weighted mean dB loss for specific frequencies (RA(avg) or LA(avg)).RESULTS: Forty percent of patients (N=46) exhibited hearing loss >20 dB based on the weighted mean value in either ear. Severe hearing impairments were observed in 56% of patients with brain tumors. Although cisplatin or vinca alkaloids were significant risk factors for hearing impairment, the use of both cisplatin and vinca alkaloids exhibited the highest odds ratio for hearing impairment (P < 0.001, < 0.001 for R/LA(max); P=0.099, 0.039 for R/LA(avg)). Multivariate analysis revealed that the use of both cisplatin and vinca alkaloids was an independent risk factor for hearing impairment based on RA(max), LA(max), and LA(avg) (P < 0.001, < 0.001, 0.039, respectively).CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that cisplatin and vinca alkaloids exert an additive effect on the risk of hearing impairment in survivors of childhood cancer. Further prospective studies are thus required to determine the most effective chemotherapeutic regimen for reducing ototoxicity.

Adverse Factors and the Role of Cisplatin and Vinca Alkaloids for Hearing Impairment in Childhood Cancer Patients and Survivors / 임상소아혈액종양

BACKGROUND: Although combined chemotherapy has increased survival rates among children with cancer, such treatments can induce sensorineural hearing loss. Therefore, we aimed to identify risk factors for hearing impairments in patients with childhood cancer. METHODS: Audiograms were obtained from 115 patients with childhood cancer and survivors (age 20 dB based on the weighted mean value in either ear. Severe hearing impairments were observed in 56% of patients with brain tumors. Although cisplatin or vinca alkaloids were significant risk factors for hearing impairment, the use of both cisplatin and vinca alkaloids exhibited the highest odds ratio for hearing impairment (P < 0.001, < 0.001 for R/LA(max); P=0.099, 0.039 for R/LA(avg)). Multivariate analysis revealed that the use of both cisplatin and vinca alkaloids was an independent risk factor for hearing impairment based on RA(max), LA(max), and LA(avg) (P < 0.001, < 0.001, 0.039, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that cisplatin and vinca alkaloids exert an additive effect on the risk of hearing impairment in survivors of childhood cancer. Further prospective studies are thus required to determine the most effective chemotherapeutic regimen for reducing ototoxicity.

Non-alkaloid constituents of Vinca major / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to investigate the non-alkaloid compounds from the leaves and stems of Vinca major cultivated in Yunnan Province, China. The compounds were isolated using chromatographic techniques. The structures were elucidated by 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic methods in combination with UV, IR, and MS analyses. The 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-scavenging activity of Compounds 1-7 were evaluated. One new iridoid glycoside (compound 1), together with 11 known compounds, were isolated from Vinca major. Compounds 1, 5, and 6 showed moderate DPPH-scavenging activity, with IC50 values being 70.6, 32.8, and 62.2 μmol·L(-1), respectively. In conclusion, compound 1 is a newly identified iridoid glycoside with moderate antioxidant activity.

Chemotherapy-induced Drug Reaction due to Extravasation of Vinorelbine / 대한피부과학회지

Vinorelbine, a vinca alkaloid anticancer drug, is widely used to treat various cancers. Several dermatological side effects of vinorelbine, such as acral erythema, phlebitis, and severe extravasation reactions, have been reported. Vinorelbine is categorized as non-DNA binding vesicant that undergoes high metabolism and clearance, which limits the degree of tissue injury if extravasation occurs. A 73-year-old male presented with erythematous linear patches on his left wrist and a 51-year-old male presented with erythematous eroded patches and bullae on his right forearm. Histopathologic study showed interface changes with basal vacuolar degeneration and epidermal dysmaturation. Separation of the dermis from the epidermis was observed, as well as interstitial and perivascular inflammatory infiltrates in the dermis. Both patients were being treated with vinorelbine for lung cancer. Before the onset of the skin lesions, accidental intravenous extravasation of vinorelbine had occurred. Herein, we report two cases of chemotherapy induced drug reaction due to extravasation of vinorelbine.

Tissue culture of Vinca minor and determination of vincamine / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study tissue culture of Vinca minor and determine the content of vincamine.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Leaf blades, stalks, root segment of V. minor were used as explants to study the effect of 2, 4-D,6-BA,NAA on its callus induction and vincamine contents in the orthogonal design experiment. In the peak period of callus formation, vincamine content in callus of V. minor and sterile plants was determined by HPLC. The experimental data was statistically analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The content of 6-BA and NAA had no significant effect on its callus induction. But the content of 2, 4-D had significant effect on its callus induction. Within 20,40,60 d, the content of vincamine in sterile plant was (0.015 +/- 0.003)%, (0.097 +/- 0.001)% , (0.113 +/- 0.06)%, respectively. In the peak period of callus formation, vincamine content in callus of leaf blades, stalks, root segment was (0.024 +/- 0.0025)%, (0.016 +/- 0.0015)%, (0.010 +/- 0.0015)%, respectively. To 30 days of subculture, vincamine content in callus of leaf blades, stalks, root segment was (0.041 +/- 0.002)%, (0.019 +/- 0001)%, (0.016 +/- 0.002)%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The optimal hormone combination for callus initiation was MS +2, 4-D 1.0 mg x L(-1) +6-BA 0.5 mg x L(-1) + NAA 0.5 mg x L(-1). In different growth periods, vincamine content in sterile plants is significantly different. From different explants in callus vincamine content is different, in which leaves callus is significantly higher than that of stems, roots produced callus organization.</p>

In Vitro Effect of Fungicides, Plant Extracts and Smoke on Conidial Germination of Fusarium oxysporum Root Rot Pathogen of Piper betle

Five fungicides such as rovral, bavistin, cupravit, dithane M-45 and thiovit were tested against conidial germination of Fusarium oxysporum. Dithane M-45 was the most effective against the fungus. Rests of the fungicides were more or less effective in the inhibition of conidial germination after 5~30 minutes immersion in 500~2500 ppm concentration. Five plant extracts(leaf extracts of Ocimum sanctum, Lantana camera, Calotropis procera, Azadirachta indica and Vinca rosea) found to be more or less effective against the fungus. 'Dhup' somke have good inhibitory effect on conidial germination of F. oxysporum.