Trichomoniasis is the most common, sexually transmitted infection. It is caused by the flagellated protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Symptoms include vaginitis and infections have been associated with preterm ...Trichomoniasis is the most common, sexually transmitted infection. It is caused by the flagellated protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Symptoms include vaginitis and infections have been associated with preterm delivery, low birth weight and increased infant mortality, as well as predisposing to HIV/AIDS and cervical cancer. Trichomoniasis has the highest prevalence and incidence of any sexually transmitted infection. The 5-nitroimidazole drugs, of which metronidazole is the most prescribed, are the only approved,effective drugs to treat trichomoniasis. Resistance against metronidazole is frequently reported and crossresistance among the family of 5-nitroimidazole drugs is common, leaving no alternative for treatment, with some cases remaining unresolved. The mechanism of metronidazole resistance in T. vaginalis from treatment failures is not well understood, unlike resistance which is developed in the laboratory under increasing metronidazole pressure. In the latter situation, hydrogenosomal function which is involved in activation of the prodrug, metronidazole, is down-regulated. Reversion to sensitivity is incomplete after removal of drug pressure in the highly resistant parasites while clinically resistant strains, so far analysed, maintain their resistance levels in the absence of drug pressure. Although anaerobic resistance has been regarded as a laboratory induced phenomenon, it clearly has been demonstrated in clinical isolates. Pursuit of both approaches will allow dissection of the underlying mechanisms. Many alternative drugs and treatments have been tested in vivo in cases of refractory trichomoniasis, as well as in vitro with some successes including the broad spectrum anti-parasitic drug nitazoxanide. Drug resistance incidence in T. vaginalis appears to be on the increase and improved surveillance of treatment failures is urged.展开更多
Agricultural productivity may be raised in a sustainable way by many different technologies such as biological fertilizers, soil and water conservation, biodiversity conservation, improved pest control, and changes in...Agricultural productivity may be raised in a sustainable way by many different technologies such as biological fertilizers, soil and water conservation, biodiversity conservation, improved pest control, and changes in land ownership and distribution. Of these measures, biotechnology applications probably hold the most promise in augmenting conventional agricultural productivity, because biotechnology applications give not only the need to increase production, but also protect the environment and conserving natural resources for future generations. Biotechnology applications will have the possibilities to increase productivity and food availability through better agronomic performance of new varieties, including resistance to pests; rapid multiplication of disease-free plants; ability to obtain natural plant products using tissue culture; diagnosis of diseases of plants and livestock; manipulation of reproduction methods increasing the efficiency of breeding; and the provision of incentives for greater participation by the private sector through investments. Insect resistance through the transfer of a gene for resistance fromBacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is one of the most advanced biotechnology applications already being commercialized in many parts of the world. This paper reviews the development and the status ofBt technology and application ofBt transgenic plants in current agriculture, and discusses specific issues related to the transfer of the technology to the future of genetic engineered trees with emphasis on conifers. Key words Agricultural productivity - Bacillus thuringiensis - Genetic engineering - Insect resistance - Trees CLC number Q812 - S763.306 Document code A Biography: Tang Wei (1964-), male, Ph. Doctor, Research associate, Department of Biology, Howell Science Complex, East Carelina University, Greenville, NC 27858-4353, USA.Responsible editor: Chal Ruihai展开更多
文摘Trichomoniasis is the most common, sexually transmitted infection. It is caused by the flagellated protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Symptoms include vaginitis and infections have been associated with preterm delivery, low birth weight and increased infant mortality, as well as predisposing to HIV/AIDS and cervical cancer. Trichomoniasis has the highest prevalence and incidence of any sexually transmitted infection. The 5-nitroimidazole drugs, of which metronidazole is the most prescribed, are the only approved,effective drugs to treat trichomoniasis. Resistance against metronidazole is frequently reported and crossresistance among the family of 5-nitroimidazole drugs is common, leaving no alternative for treatment, with some cases remaining unresolved. The mechanism of metronidazole resistance in T. vaginalis from treatment failures is not well understood, unlike resistance which is developed in the laboratory under increasing metronidazole pressure. In the latter situation, hydrogenosomal function which is involved in activation of the prodrug, metronidazole, is down-regulated. Reversion to sensitivity is incomplete after removal of drug pressure in the highly resistant parasites while clinically resistant strains, so far analysed, maintain their resistance levels in the absence of drug pressure. Although anaerobic resistance has been regarded as a laboratory induced phenomenon, it clearly has been demonstrated in clinical isolates. Pursuit of both approaches will allow dissection of the underlying mechanisms. Many alternative drugs and treatments have been tested in vivo in cases of refractory trichomoniasis, as well as in vitro with some successes including the broad spectrum anti-parasitic drug nitazoxanide. Drug resistance incidence in T. vaginalis appears to be on the increase and improved surveillance of treatment failures is urged.
文摘Agricultural productivity may be raised in a sustainable way by many different technologies such as biological fertilizers, soil and water conservation, biodiversity conservation, improved pest control, and changes in land ownership and distribution. Of these measures, biotechnology applications probably hold the most promise in augmenting conventional agricultural productivity, because biotechnology applications give not only the need to increase production, but also protect the environment and conserving natural resources for future generations. Biotechnology applications will have the possibilities to increase productivity and food availability through better agronomic performance of new varieties, including resistance to pests; rapid multiplication of disease-free plants; ability to obtain natural plant products using tissue culture; diagnosis of diseases of plants and livestock; manipulation of reproduction methods increasing the efficiency of breeding; and the provision of incentives for greater participation by the private sector through investments. Insect resistance through the transfer of a gene for resistance fromBacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is one of the most advanced biotechnology applications already being commercialized in many parts of the world. This paper reviews the development and the status ofBt technology and application ofBt transgenic plants in current agriculture, and discusses specific issues related to the transfer of the technology to the future of genetic engineered trees with emphasis on conifers. Key words Agricultural productivity - Bacillus thuringiensis - Genetic engineering - Insect resistance - Trees CLC number Q812 - S763.306 Document code A Biography: Tang Wei (1964-), male, Ph. Doctor, Research associate, Department of Biology, Howell Science Complex, East Carelina University, Greenville, NC 27858-4353, USA.Responsible editor: Chal Ruihai
