Research Progress in Prevention and Treatment of Bacterial Diseases by Traditional Chinese Medicine

Recently, antibiotics have been widely used to resist various bacterial diseases in livestock breeding, which generated more superbacteria with resistance. Food safety problems, such as animal drug residues are urgent to be solved. Traditional Chinese medicines are traditional treasures of China, which attract more and more attention in the prevention and treatment of bacterial diseases because of their abundant advantages including improving immunologic function of or-ganisms, antibacterial, antivirus, antitumor, anti-inflammatory and improving animal performance. The advantages of traditional Chinese medicines, such as low toxicity, low residual, green and safe, conform to food safety requirements. The using condition of traditional Chinese medicines in main bacterial diseases of animals was reviewed in the paper, thus to provide a reference for livestock production.

Breeding for Resistance to Tomato Bacterial Diseases in China:Challenges and Prospects

Four bacterial diseases including bacterial canker caused by Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, bacterial speck caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, bacterial spot caused by at least four Xanthomonas species, and bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum are among the most devastating diseases in tomato(Solanum lycopersicum) production in China. However, almost no commercial cultivars currently growing in the country are resistant to these four bacterial diseases because little effort has been devoted to breeding for resistance. In addition,the existence of great natural variation in each pathogen and the quantitative inheritance of resistance add to the difficulties of developing cultivars with resistance to these diseases. In the past 20 years, molecular markers tightly linked to genes conferring resistance to these four bacterial diseases have been identified or gene-based markers have been developed, which may circumvent some of the problems associated with phenotypic selection for resistance to multiple bacterial pathogens and races. Here we present a review on current status of studies on these diseases and discuss the promise of new technologies in breeding for resistance to these bacterial diseases in China.

Present status of aquaculture and the challenge of bacterial diseases in freshwater farmed fish in Tanzania;A call for sustainable strategies

Aquaculture provides significant contributions to household food security,as the capture of wild fish from lakes,dams,and oceans do not meet the current demand for animal protein in Tanzania.Sustainable aquaculture requires well-established regulatory systems and extension services for good pond management practices and maintaining fish health by fish farmers.Fish farming is practiced widely in Tanzania,from small-to large-scale ponds and these farming systems are moving from extensive normal operations(low input demand)to intensive farming(high input demand).However,the industry is largely still operating at a subsistence level with low production.Bacterial infections have been occurring in these fish farms and will continue to be an issue of concern into the future.This review highlights the current challenges,successes,and prospects towards a sustainable aquaculture industry in Tanzania,including:limited extension services mirroring the limited knowledge by farmers regarding pond management practices;the inadequacy of funds to carry out fish disease research or implement a surveillance system;little expertise in fish disease diagnosis and treatment;and poor management options.To minimize disease outbreaks and optimize production in the future,we suggest a strengthening of extension services,augmented with on-farm knowledge transfer.Emphasis should be on pond management practices and fish disease management;the creation of a well-functioning fish disease surveillance system;and strengthening collaborative research on aquaculture between the government research institutions and academia.Establishing small cooperative fish farmer groups within the Aquaculture Association of Tanzania(AAT)for easy access to information is also recommended.

Factors Influencing Bacterial Canker Disease of Kiwifruit and the Control Countermeasures

Survey was conducted to investigate the occurrence laws of bacterial canker disease of kiwifruits in Liupanshui area, Guizhou Province, and the patho- gens and hazard symptoms of the canker disease were introduced. The results showed that the factors influencing the occurrence of bacterial canker disease of ki- wifruit were identified as inter-species resistance, agronomic traits, meteorological and ecological conditions, cultivation and management techniques and fertilization levels. Techniques for the comprehensive control of kiwi canker disease were stated, and control suggestions were proposed.

Bacterial melanin in rat models of Parkinson's disease: a potential neuroprotective strategy

Melanins are widely used in medicine, pharmacology and cosmetics. Different technologies have been used to obtain melanin including： chemical synthesis based on oxidation of tyrosine and its derivatives; extraction from animal materials; alkaline extraction from plant material; and microbiological synthesis. A few number of works have been published that were focused on purification of water insoluble 3,4-dihy- droxy-phenylalanine-melanins （Kukulianskaia et al., 2002）. The majority of synthetic and natural melanins are insoluble in wa- ter that significantly complicates preparation of pharmacolog- ical and cosmetic preparations. Obtaining of low-cost soluble biotechnological melanin can speed up application of melanin in medicine and other fields. For the first time, melanin-syn-thesizing strain with high level of pigment synthesis - Bacillus thuringiensis was obtained. The ecologically safe technology of biosynthesis, isolation and purification of the bacterial melanin has been elaborated.

Comparative transcriptome profiling of two maize near-isogenic lines differing in the allelic state for bacterial brown spot disease resistance

The bacterial brown spot disease（BBS）, caused primarily by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae van Hall（Pss）, reduces plant vigor, yield and quality in maize. To reveal the nature of the defense mechanisms and identify genes involved in the effective host resistance, the dynamic changes of defense transcriptome triggered by the infection of Pss were investigated and compared between two maize near-isogenic lines（NILs）. We found that Pss infection resulted in a sophisticated transcriptional reprogramming of several biological processes and the resistant NIL employed much faster defense responses than the susceptible NIL. Numerous genes encoding essential components of plant basal resistance would be able to be activated in the susceptible NIL, such as PEN1, PEN2, PEN3, and EDR1, however, in a basic manner, such resistance might not be sufficient for suppressing Pss pathogenesis. In addition, the expressions of a large number of PTI-, ETI-, PR-, and WRKY-related genes were pronouncedly activated in the resistant NIL, suggesting that maize employ a multitude of defense pathways to defend Pss infection. Six R-gene homologs were identified to have significantly higher expression levels in the resistant NIL at early time point, indicating that a robust surveillance system（gene-to-gene model） might operate in maize during Pss attacks, and these homolog genes are likely to be potential candidate resistance genes involved in BBS disease resistance. Furthermore, a holistic group of novel pathogen-responsive genes were defined, providing the repertoire of candidate genes for further functional characterization and identification of their regulation patterns during pathogen infection.

Mini-review of Major Diseases of Rosa chinensis Jacq in China

Rose （Rosa chinexis Jacq）, a traditional Chinese ornamental flower, is widely planted for landscaping in China. Diseases, together with their typical symptoms on R. chinensis in China, are presented in this review. Ten fungal, one bacterial, one viral and one physiological disease are noted in this study respec- tively. Two newly recorded diseases, rose leaf spot caused by ChaetomeUa raphigera and rose leaf blotch caused by Pestalotiopsis clavispom, are also described and illustrated. With the warming climate, the geographic distribution of rose diseases may expand and the losses cause by rose diseases are becoming more serious. Therefore, we must strengthen researches on host-pathogen-changing climate and pay more attentions on adapted management measures as well.

Identification and Control of Main Diseases of Cotton

The main symptoms of cotton viral diseases,bacterial diseases,fungal diseases and physiological diseases are introduced,and the corresponding prevention and control techniques are put forward,in order to provide a certain basis for the improvement of cotton yield and quality.

Antimicrobial susceptibility and serotypes of Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae in Sri Lanka:Experience from the National Reference Laboratory

Objective:To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility and serotypes of Neisseria(N.)meningitidis and Streptococcus(S.)pneumoniae in Sri Lankan patients.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed 11 blood culture specimens from suspected patients with invasive meningococcal disease and 26 S.pneumoniae clinical isolates.We tested 6 antimicrobials against N.meningitidis and 12 antimicrobials against S.pneumoniae.Meningococcal serogroup was determined by realtime PCR and Quellung serotyping was used for pneumococcal analysis.Results:N.meningitidis serogroup B was the most common in this study.Intermediate-susceptibility to penicillin was seen in 75.0%(6/8)of strains.Susceptibility to ciprofloxacin,levofloxacin and cotrimoxazole was 62.5%(5/8),62.5%(5/8)and 87.5%(7/8),respectively.Excellent susceptibility was seen in cefotaxime and meropenem.In S.pneumoniae,the most common serotype was 19F in both invasive and non-invasive pneumococcal diseases.The majority of strains showed multidrug resistance.Penicillin non-susceptibility in non-meningeal strains were 13.6%and all meningeal strains were penicillin resistant.Erythromycin was highly resistant in both groups.Amoxicillin showed excellent susceptibility in non-invasive pneumococcal diseases strains.Linezolid,levofloxacin and vancomycin showed 100.0%susceptibility in all pneumococcal isolates.Conclusions:Implementation of vaccines should be considered,especially for children and high-risk populations.This may contribute to reducing pneumococcal and meningococcal invasive disease burden and help prevent emergence of antimicrobial resistant strains.

The relative importance of soil moisture in predicting bacterial wilt disease occurrence

Soil-borne plant diseases cause major economic losses globally.This is partly because their epidemiology is difficult to predict in agricultural fields,where multiple environmental factors could determine disease outcomes.Here we used a combination of field sampling and direct experimentation to identify key abiotic and biotic soil properties that can predict the occurrence of bacterial wilt caused by pathogenic Ralstonia solanacearum.By analyzing 139 tomato rhizosphere soils samples isolated from six provinces in China,we first show a clear link between soil properties,pathogen density and plant health.Specifically,disease outcomes were positively associated with soil moisture,bacterial abundance and bacterial community composition.Based on soil properties alone,random forest machine learning algorithm could predict disease outcomes correctly in 75%of cases with soil moisture being the most significant predictor.The importance of soil moisture was validated causally in a controlled greenhouse experiment,where the highest disease incidence was observed at 60%of maximum water holding capacity.Together,our results show that local soil properties can predict disease occurrence across a wider agricultural landscape,and that management of soil moisture could potentially offer a straightforward method for reducing crop losses to R.solanacearum.

Protective effect of a bacterial extract against acute exacerbation in patients with chronic bronchitis accompanied by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background Immunostimulating agents made from bacterial extracts represent a class of medications that contains antigens derived from several bacterial strains and their potential ability to prevent bacterial infections results from the stimulation of the nonspecific component of the immune system. The present study investigated the effect of the oral immunostimulant Broncho-Vaxom,which includes material from eight different species of bacteria that are frequently present in the lower respiratory tract,on the frequency and severity of acute exacerbation in patients with chronic bronchitis accompanied by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods Ninety patients with chronic bronchitis complicated with COPD were randomly divided into groups A and B. Forty-nine subjects in group A received oral capsules containing 7mg Broncho-Vaxom,while 41 patients in group B received similar placebo capsules. Both groups took one capsule daily for the first 10 days of each month for 3 consecutive months. The frequency of acute exacerbation,symptom scores,and lung function were recorded for the following one year period.Results There was a significant decrease in the incidence,duration,and severity of acute exacerbation,as well as a reduction in the course of antibiotics administered and in the dosage of bronchodilator and mucolytic agent in group A,as compared to group B ( P <0.05,respectively). Symptom scores for cough,sputum,dyspnea,as well as symptoms observed upon auscultation of the chest also improved significantly in group A as compared to group B ( P <0.05,respectively). The bacterial clearance rate in sputum cultures from patients who received no antibiotics for the first 3 months was also significantly higher in group A compared to group B ( P <0.01).Conclusions Orally administered Broncho-Vaxom is associated with a decrease in the incidence of acute exacerbation and a decrease in the need for antibiotics and symptomatic relief medications in patients with chronic bronchitis accompanied by COPD. Broncho-Vaxom is also associated with a decrease in symptom scores. Without causing any apparent adverse effects,this drug may also help to eradicate pathogenic bacteria in the airways.

Identification of QTLs Associated with Resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv.Glycinea in Soybean(Glycine max(L.)Merr)

Soybean bacterial spot disease caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv.Glycinea which is a bacterial disease seriously affects soybean yield.Ten soybean germplasms and recombinant inbred lines(RILs)population were used to identify the resistant trait after inoculated with P.sg(P.sgneau001)in this study.High-density genetic mapping was obtained by specific length amplified fragment sequencing(SLAF-seq)of 149 RILs population which was derived from the crossing between Charleston and Dongnong594.The results indicated that 10 germplasm resources had four resistant germplasms included highly resistant cultivar Charleston,four susceptible varieties included Dongnong594 and two moderately resistant cultivars.Five quantitative trait locus(QTLs)were detected in RILs population by the composite interval mapping(CIM)method,and located on Linkage Group(LG)D1b(chromosome two),LG C2(chromosome six)and LG H(chromosome 12),respectively.LOD scores ranged from 2.68 to 4.95 and the phenotypic variation percentage was from 6%to 11%.Six candidate genes were detected,according to the result of gene annotation information.Four of them had relationship with protein kinase activity,protein phosphorylation and leucine rich repeat(LRR)transmembrane protein,which had high expression after inoculated with P.sg by qRT-PCR.

Pathogen-inducible OsMPKKI 0.2-OsMPK6 cascade phosphorylates the Raf-like kinase OsEDRI and inhibits its scaffold function to promote rice disease resistance

Mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)cascades regulate a myriad of plant biological processes,including disease resistance.Plant genomes encode a large number of MAPK kinase kinases(MAPKKKs)that can be divided into two subfamilies,namely MEKK-like kinases and Raf-like kinases.Thus far,the func-tions of MEKK-like MAPKKKs have been relatively well characterized,but the roles of Raf-like MAPKKKs in.plant MAPK cascades remain less understood.Here,we report the role of OsEDR1,a Raf-like MAPKKK,in the regulation of the MAPK cascade in rice response tp the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzicola(Xoc).We found that OsEDR1 inhibits OsMPKK10.2(a MAPK kinase)activity through physical interaction.Upon Xoc infection,OsMPKK10.2 is phosphorylated at S304 to activate OsMPK6(a MAPK).Interestingly,activated OsMPK6 phosphorylates OsEDR1 at S861,which destabilizes OsEDR1 and thus releases the inhibition of OsMPKK10.2,leading to increased OsMPKK10.2 activity and enhanced resistance of rice plants to Xoc.Taken together,these results provide new insights into the functions of Raf-like ki-nases in the regulation of the MAPK cascade in plant immunity.

Enhancement of innate immune system in monocot rice by transferring the dicotyledonous elongation factor Tu receptor EFR

The elongation factor Tu （EF-Tu） receptor （EFR） in cruciferous plants specifically recognizes the N-terminal acetylated elf18 region of bacterial EF-Tu and thereby activates plant immunity. It has been demonstrated that Arabidopsis EFR confers broad-spectrum bacterial resistance in the EFR transgenic solanaceous plants. Here, the transgenic rice plants （Oryza sativa L. ssp. japonica cv. Zhonghua 17） and cell cultures with constitutive expression of AtEFR were developed to investigate whether AtEFR senses EF-Tu and thus enhances bacterial resistance in the monocot plants. We＇demonstrated that the Xanthomonas oryzae-derived elf18 peptide induced oxidative burst and mitogen-activated protein kinase activa- tion in the AtEFR transgenic rice cells and plants, respectively. Pathogenesis-related genes, such as OsPBZ1, were upregulated dramatically in transgenic rice plant and cell lines in response to elf18 stimulation. Importantly, pretreatment with elf18 trig- gered strong resistance to X. oryzae pv. oryzae in the transgenic plants, which was largely dependent on the AtEFR expressionlevel. These plants also exhibited enhanced resistance to rice bacterial brown stripe, but not to rice fungal blast. Collectively, the results indicate that the rice plants with heterologous expression of AtEFR recognize bacterial EF-Tu and exhibit enhanced broad-spectrum bacterial disease resistance and that pattern recognition receptor-mediated immunity may be manipulated across the two plant classes, dicots and monocots.

A global overview of the most important zoonotic bacteria pathogens transmitted from Rattus norvegicus to humans in urban environments

Zoonotic pathogens,comprising over 61%of all pathogenic microorganisms,can be transmitted from different animals to individuals in numerous ways either in the presence or the absence of a vector.Causing new emerging human infectious diseases,these pathogens could be categorized into 4 groups,bacteria,viruses,parasites,and fungi.Among the wide range of reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens,tremendous attention has been attracted to wild rats,due to their global distribution not only in urban environments but also in the sylvatic and agricultural surroundings.For the nonce,zoonotic bacteria transmitted via wild rats have turned into a global public health problem probably due to their ability to induce re-emerging diseases even after eradication and controlling man-agement.Despite the importance of wild rats in spreading pathogens,little data are available about the bacterial diversity present in urban wild rat populations.In this review,we present a complete list of zoonotic bacterial pathogens isolated from wild rats in urban environments.

Dynamic and Coordinated Expression Changes of Rice Small RNAs in Response to Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzae

Endogenous small RNAs are newly identified players in plant immune responses, yet their roles in rice （Oryza sativa） responding to pathogens are still less understood, especially for pathogens that can cause severe yield losses. We examined the small RNA expression profiles of rice leaves at 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours post infection ofXanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae （Xoo） virulent strain PXO99, the causal agent of rice bacterial blight disease. Dynamic expression changes of some miRNAs and trans-acting siRNAs were identified, together with a few novel miRNA targets, including an RLK gene targeted by osa-miR159a. 1. Coordinated expression changes were observed among some small RNAs in response to Xoo infection, with small RNAs exhibiting the same expression pattern tended to regulate genes in the same or related signaling pathways, including auxin and GA signaling pathways, nutrition and defense-related pathways. These findings reveal the dynamic and complex roles of small RNAs in rice-Xoo interactions, and identify new targets for regulating plant responses to Xoo.

Paladin, a tyrosine phosphatase-like protein, is required for XA21-mediated immunity in rice

XA21 encodes a rice immune receptor that confers robust resistance to most strains of the Gram-negative bacterium Xanthomonas oryzae pv.oryzae(Xoo).XA21-mediated immunity is triggered by recognition of a small protein called RaxX-sY(required for activation of XA21-mediated immunity X,tyrosine-sulfated)secreted by Xoo.To identify components regulating XA21-mediated immunity,we generated and screened a mutant population of fast-neutron-mutagenized rice expressing Ubi:Myc-XA21 for those susceptible to Xoo.Here,we report the characterization of one of these rice mutants,named sxi2(suppressor of XA21-mediated immunity-2).Whole-genome sequencing revealed that sxi2 carries a deletion of the PALADIN(PALD)gene encoding a protein with three putative protein tyrosine phosphatase-like domains(PTP-A,-B,and-C).Expression of PALD in the sxi2 genetic background was sufficient to complement the susceptible phenotype,which requires the catalytic cysteine of the PTP-A active site to restore resistance.PALD coimmunoprecipitated with the full-length XA21 protein,whose levels are positively regulated by the presence of the PALD transgene.Furthermore,we foundd that sxi2 retains many hallmarks of XA21-mediated immunity,similar to the wild type.These results reveal that PALD,a previously uncharacterized class of phosphatase,functions in rice innate immunity,and suggest that the conserved cysteine in the PTP-A domain of PALD is required for its immune function.