Adaptation of pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus to β-pinene stress

BACKGROUND

The pine wood nematode (PWN; Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) is the most damaging biological pest in pine forest ecosystems in China. However, the pathogenic mechanism remains unclear. Tracheid cavitation induced by excess metabolism of volatile terpenes is a typical characteristic of pine trees infected by B. xylophilus. β-pinene, one of the main volatile terpenes, influences PWN colonization and reproduction, stimulating pathogenicity during the early stages of infection. To elucidate the response mechanism of PWN to β-pinene, pathogenesis, mortality, and reproduction rate were investigated under different concentrations of β-pinene using a transcriptomics approach.

RESULTS

A low concentration of β-pinene (BL, C < 25.74 mg/ml) inhibited PWN reproduction, whereas a high concentration (BH, C > 128.7 mg/ml) promoted reproduction. Comparison of PWN expression profiles under low (BL, 21.66 mg/ml) and high (BH, 214.5 mg/ml) β-pinene concentrations at 48 h identified 659 and 418 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively, compared with controls. Some key DEGs are potential regulators of β-pinene via detoxification metabolism (cytochrome P450, UDP-glucuronosyltransferases and short-chain dehydrogenases), ion channel/transporter activity (unc and ATP-binding cassette families), and nuclear receptor -related genes. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis of DEGs revealed metabolic processes as the most significant biological processes, and catalytic activity as the most significant molecular function for both BL and BH samples. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) Orthology (KO) analysis showed that xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, and transport and catabolism were the dominant terms in metabolism categories.

CONCLUSION

In addition to detoxification via reduction/oxidation (redox) activity, PWN responds to β-pinene through amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and other pathways including growth regulation and epidermal protein changes to overcome β-pinene stress. This study lays a foundation for further exploring the pathogenic mechanism of PWN.

Morphological adjustment in free-living Steinernema feltiae infective juveniles to increasing concentration of Nemafric-BL phytonematicide

Third-stage larvae (L3) of Steinernema feltiae exist as free-living infective juveniles (IJ), with suspended development activities. In contrast, parasitic stages (L1, L2, L4, adult) have mutualistic relations with Xenorhabdus species bacteria, along with unique morphological changes and development inside the cadaver of host insects and/or plant-parasitic nematodes. Commercial IJ strains are tolerant to cucurbitacin-containing phytonematicides, but we have scant information on how morphological adjustments in IJ are achieved. In this study, we investigated the nature of morphological adjustments in commercial S. feltiae IJ strains to Nemafric-BL phytonematicide, which contains cucurbitacin B as active ingredient. Post-72 h exposure to phytonematicide concentration, IJ specimens were fixed on mounting slides. Length (body, excretory pore to anterior end, pharynx, rectum, stoma, tail), diameter (head width, neck base, mid-body, anal body), cuticle thickness and De Man ratios were measured with a computer software programme attached to Omax light microscope. Morphometric data against increasing phytonematicide concentration exhibited either density-dependent quadratic, linear or neutral relations. Increase in body length at low phytonematicide concentration was accompanied by decrease in tail length and pharynx length during muscle contraction when IJ were still alive. After death at high phytonematicide concentration, the opposite morphometric effects ensued due to muscle relaxation. The observed changes in morphometric structures were explained on the basis of morphological adjustments that modulated volumes of pseudocoelom cavity in IJ. The modulation is intended to maintain hydrostatic pressure within permissible upper limits in order to avoid structural damage to internal organs embedded in the pseudocoelom fluids.

Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic assessment of the ivermectin and abamectin nematodicidal interaction in cattle

In a context of nematodicidal resistance, anthelmintic combinations have emerged as a reliable pharmacological strategy to control gastrointestinal nematodes in grazing systems of livestock production. The current work evaluated the potential drug-drug interactions following the coadministration of two macrocyclic lactones (ML) ivermectin (IVM) and abamectin (ABM) to parasitized cattle using a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) approach. The kinetic behavior of both compounds administered either separately or coadministered was assessed and the therapeutic response of the combination was evaluated under different resistance scenarios. In the pharmacological trial, calves received a single subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of IVM (100 μg/Kg); a single s.c. injection of ABM (100 μg/Kg) or IVM + ABM (50 μg/Kg each) administered in different injection sites to reach a final ML dose of 100 μg/Kg (Farm 1). Plasma samples were taken from those animals up to 20 days post-treatment. IVM and ABM plasma concentrations were quantified by HPLC. A parasitological trial was carried out in three farms with different status of nematodes resistance to IVM. Experimental animals received IVM (200 μg/Kg), ABM (200 μg/Kg) or IVM + ABM (100 μg/Kg each) in Farm 2, and IVM + ABM (200 μg/Kg each) in Farms 3 and 4. The anthelmintic efficacy was determined by fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT). PK analysis showed similar trends for IVM kinetic behavior after coadministration with ABM. Conversely, the ABM elimination half-life was prolonged and the systemic exposure during the elimination phase was increased in the presence of IVM. Although IVM alone failed to control Cooperia spp., the combination IVM + ABM was the only treatment that achieved an efficacy higher than 95% against resistant Cooperia spp. in all farms. In fact, when Cooperia spp. was the main genus within the nematode population and Haemonchus spp. was susceptible or slightly resistant to ML (Farms 2 and 4), the total FECR for the combination IVM + ABM was higher than 90%. Instead, when the predominant nematode genus was a highly resistant Haemonchus spp. (Farm 3), the total FECR after the combined treatment was as low as the single treatments. Therefore, the rational use of these pharmacological tools should be mainly based on the knowledge of the epidemiology and the nematode susceptibility status in each cattle farm.

Effects of α-pinene on the pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) and its symbiotic bacteria

The pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is an important plant-parasitic nematode that can cause severe mortality of pine trees. This PWN-induced harm to plants may be closely related to the abundance and diversity of the symbiotic microorganisms of the parasitic nematode. In this study, nematodes were divided into untreated and antibiotic-treated groups. Nematodes were treated by fumigation with different amounts of α-pinene, and the resultant mortality rates were analyzed statistically. Concentrations of symbiotic bacteria were calculated as colony-forming units per nematode. High-throughput sequencing was used to investigate the bacterial community structure. The results showed that the mortality of nematodes increased slightly with an increasing concentration of α-pinene, and nematodes untreated with antibiotics were more sensitive to α-pinene than those treated with antibiotics. The highest abundance of symbiotic bacteria was obtained via medium and low levels of α-pinene, but for which community diversity was the lowest (Shannon and Simpson indexes). The proportion of Pseudomonas spp. in the symbiotic bacteria of nematodes without antibiotics was relatively high (more than 70%), while that of Stenotrophomonas spp. was low (6%–20%). However, the proportion of Stenotrophomonas spp. was larger than that of Pseudomonas spp in the symbiotic bacteria associated with the antibiotic-treated nematodes. Pseudomonas sp. increased after pinene treatment, whereas Stenotrophomonas spp. decreased. These results indicate that although α-pinene has low toxicity to PWNs over a short time period, α-pinene ultimately influences the abundance and community diversity of the symbiotic bacteria of these nematodes; this influence may potentially disturb the development and reproduction of nematodes in the process of infecting pine trees.

Evaluation of Anthelmintic Activity and Composition of Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) Seed Extracts-In Vitro and in Vivo Studies

A significant number of studies report growing resistance in nematodes thriving in both humans and livestock. This study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo anthelmintic efficiency of Curcubita pepo (C. pepo) L. hot water extract (HWE), cold water extract (CWE) or ethanol extract (ETE) on two model nematodes: Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and Heligmosoides bakeri (H. bakeri).

METHODS

Raman, IR and LC-MS spectroscopy analyses were performed on the studied plant material to deliver qualitative and quantitative data on the composition of the obtained extracts: ETE, HWE and CWE. The in vitro activity evaluation showed an impact of C. pepo extracts on C. elegans and different developmental stages of H. bakeri. The following in vivo experiments on mice infected with H. bakeri confirmed inhibitory properties of the most active pumpkin extract selected by the in vitro study. All of the extracts were found to contain cucurbitine, aminoacids, fatty acids, and-for the first time-berberine and palmatine were identified. All C. pepo seed extracts exhibited a nematidicidal potential in vitro, affecting the survival of L1 and L2 H. bakeri larvae. The ETE was the strongest and demonstrated a positive effect on H. bakeri eggs hatching and marked inhibitory properties against worm motility, compared to a PBS control. No significant effects of pumpkin seed extracts on C. elegans integrity or motility were found. The EtOH extract in the in vivo studies showed anthelmintic properties against both H. bakeri fecal egg counts and adult worm burdens. The highest egg counts reduction was observed for the 8 g/kg dose (IC50 against H. bakeri = 2.43; 95% Cl = 2.01-2.94). A decrease in faecal egg counts (FEC) was accompanied by a significant reduction in worm burden of the treated mice compared to the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Pumpkin seed extracts may be used to control of Gastrointestinal (G.I.) nematode infections. This relatively inexpensive alternative to the currently available chemotherapeutic should be considered as a novel drug candidate in the nearest future.

Stimulation of the Salicylic Acid Pathway Aboveground Recruits Entomopathogenic Nematodes Belowground

Plant defense pathways play a critical role in mediating tritrophic interactions between plants, herbivores, and natural enemies. While the impact of plant defense pathway stimulation on natural enemies has been extensively explored aboveground, belowground ramifications of plant defense pathway stimulation are equally important in regulating subterranean pests and still require more attention. Here we investigate the effect of aboveground stimulation of the salicylic acid pathway through foliar application of the elicitor methyl salicylate on belowground recruitment of the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema diaprepesi. Also, we implicate a specific root-derived volatile that attracts S. diaprepesi belowground following aboveground plant stimulation by an elicitor. In four-choice olfactometer assays, citrus plants treated with foliar applications of methyl salicylate recruited S. diaprepesi in the absence of weevil feeding as compared with negative controls. Additionally, analysis of root volatile profiles of citrus plants receiving foliar application of methyl salicylate revealed production of d-limonene, which was absent in negative controls. The entomopathogenic nematode S. diaprepesi was recruited to d-limonene in two-choice olfactometer trials. These results reinforce the critical role of plant defense pathways in mediating tritrophic interactions, suggest a broad role for plant defense pathway signaling belowground, and hint at sophisticated plant responses to pest complexes.

Production, characterization, gene cloning, and nematocidal activity of the extracellular protease from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia N4

A rhizosphere strain of the bacterium Stenotrophomonas maltophilia N4 secretes the serine protease PN4, whose molecular mass is approximately 42 kDa. The optimal temperature for the enzyme activity of the 11-fold purified protein was 50°C and the optimal pH was 10.5. The activity of the enzyme was strongly inhibited by specific serine protease inhibitors, which allowed for its classification as an alkaline serine protease family. Ca(2+) ions stimulated the activity of the protease PN4, while Mg(2+) ions stabilized its activity, and Zn(2+) and Cd(2+) ions strongly inhibited its activity. The enzyme has broad substrate specificity. For example, it is able to hydrolyse casein, keratin, albumin, haemoglobin, and gelatin, as well as the insoluble modified substrates azure keratin and azocoll. The gene that encodes the 1740 bp precursor form of the enzyme (accession number: LC031815) was cloned. We then deduced that its amino acid sequence includes the region of the conserved domain of the S8 family of peptidases as well as the catalytic triad Asp/His/Ser. The bacterial culture fluid as well as the purified protease PN4 demonstrated biocidal activity with regard to the nematodes Caenorhabditis elegans and Panagrellus spp.

The influence of insecticides on the viability of entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) under laboratory conditions

BACKGROUND

In order to increase our knowledge on the susceptibility of entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) species to agrochemicals, the compatibility of the infective juveniles (IJs) of the EPN (Steinernema and Heterorhabditis) with eight chemical and bio-insecticides was investigated under laboratory conditions. The effect of direct IJ exposure to insecticides for 6 and 24 h was tested in a Petri dish at 15, 20 and 25 °C.

RESULTS

The study showed that S. carpocapsae and S. kraussei are sensitive to all tested insecticides. Steinernema feltiae is compatible with azadirachtin, toxin of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki and imidacloprid, while H. bacteriophora is sensitive only to abamectin and lufenuron. The percentage of IJs that survived was statistically the highest after 6 h at 15 °C (82%) and 20 °C (80%). At 25 °C (76%) it was statistically the lowest. After 24 h there were no statistically significant differences observed between 15 °C (55%) and 20 °C (55%), while at 25 °C, the statistically largest percentage of IJs (59%) survived.

CONCLUSION

Based on our research, we conclude that compatibility is not only a species-specific, but also a strain-specific characteristic. Steinernema feltiae and H. bacteriophora are compatible with azadirachtin and pirimicarb and might offer a cost-effective alternative to pest control against different vegetable pests. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry.

Nematicidal activity of anion transport blockers against Meloidogyne incognita, Caenorhabditis elegans and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora

BACKGROUND

Because methyl bromide has been phased out as a soil sterilant, new nematicides are urgently needed. Four different chemical classes of organic acids acting as anion transport (AT) blockers were tested against a free-living nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans Maupas, a plant-parasitic nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood, and an entomopathogenic nematode, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar, in toxicity bioassays. The materials tested were DIDS (4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid), 9-AC (anthracene-9-carboxylic acid), NPPB [5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid] and IAA-94 (indanyloxyacetic acid).

RESULTS

All the compounds showed slowly developing nematicidal activity against second-stage juveniles of M. incognita and adults of C. elegans, but not against H. bacteriophora infective-stage juveniles. The LC(50) values of these compounds were < 50 mg L(-1) after 48 and 72 h incubation, while at 168 h incubation the LC(50) values were < 10 mg L(-1) for both sensitive species. Across both species and time, the LC(50) values generally differed no more than twofold among the four compounds tested in this study. In contrast, none of the compounds (200 mg L(-1)) caused more than control mortality to H. bacteriophora, even after 168 h of incubation.

CONCLUSION

These compounds are potential leads for commercial nematicides. The insensitivity to H. bacteriophora is consistent with the natural exposure of this nematode to DST (3,5-dihydroxy-4-isopropylstilbene), a stilbene produced by its symbiotic bacterium. Based on the known activity of the compounds used in this study, it is suggested that anion transporters form the probable target sites for DIDS, 9-AC, NPPB and IAA-94 in nematodes.

[Tribendimidine enteric coated tablet in treatment of 1,292 cases with intestinal nematode infection--a phase IV clinical trial]

OBJECTIVE

To further evaluate the efficacy and safety of tribendimidine in treatment of adult patients with intestinal nematode infections.

METHODS

An open and multi-center clinical trial was conducted in the provinces of Hainan, Sichuan and Guizhou. A total of 1,292 infected cases aged 15-70 years were enrolled in the study. Modified Kato-Katz method was used to diagnose the cases with intestinal nematode infections and assess the efficacy 3-4 weeks post treatment. Patients with Ascaris lumbricoides infection were treated orally with tribendimidine enteric coated tablets at a single dose of 300 mg, while in the patients with Ancylostoma duodenale, mixed A. duodenale and A. lumbricoides, or with other helminth infections, a single dose of 400 mg was administered.

RESULTS

The cure rate and effective rate of the patients with Ancylostoma infection were 88.4% (1,009/1,141) and 99.1% (1,131/1,141), respectively, while in patients with A. lumbricoides infection, they were 95.0% (419/441) and 99.8% (440/441), respectively. The cure rate of tribendimidine enteric coated tablet given to patients with Trichuris trichiura infection at a single dose of 400 mg was 76.8% (109/142). The adverse effect induced by tribendimidine was light and transient with a rate of 3.3% (42/1,292). No apparent impact was seen on blood and urine routine examinations, hepatic and renal functions as well as ECG examination.

CONCLUSION

It is further confirmed that under the used dosage for expanding treatment in larger sample of patients with various ages and infected with Ancylostoma duodenale, A. lumbricoides and other helminths, tribendimidine enteric coated tablet is safe with satisfactory efficacy.

Coprinus comatus damages nematode cuticles mechanically with spiny balls and produces potent toxins to immobilize nematodes

We reported recently a unique fungal structure, called the spiny ball, on the vegetative hyphae of Coprinus comatus (O. F. Müll.:Fr.) Pers. Although some observations regarding the role of this structure were presented, its function remained largely unknown. In this study, we showed that purified (isolated and washed) spiny balls could immobilize and kill the free-living nematode Panagrellus redivivus Goodey highly efficiently. Scanning electron microscopy studies illustrated that the spiny structure damaged the nematode cuticle, suggesting the presence of a mechanical force during the process of nematode immobilization. Severe injuries on nematode cuticles caused the leakage of inner materials of the nematodes. When these structures were ground in liquid nitrogen, their killing efficacy against nematodes was lost, indicating that the shape and the complete structure of the spiny balls are indispensable for their function. However, extraction with organic solvents never lowered their activity against P. redivivus, and the extracts showed no obvious effect on the nematode. We also investigated whether C. comatus was able to produce toxins which would aid in the immobilization of nematodes. In total, we identified seven toxins from C. comatus that showed activity to immobilize the nematodes P. redivivus and Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid et White) Chitwood. The chemical structures of these toxins were identified with nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, infrared, and UV spectrum analysis. Two compounds were found to be novel. The toxins found in C. comatus are O-containing heterocyclic compounds.

Screening and isolation of a nematicidal sesquiterpene from Magnolia grandiflora L

The ethanolic extracts from 30 plant species were tested for their nematicidal activity against nematodes Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner & Buhrer) Nickle and Panagrellus redivivus (L.) Goodey. The leaf extract of Magnolia grandiflora L. exhibited the strongest nematicidal activity against both nematodes, causing 73 and 100% mortality respectively within 48 h at 5 mg mL(-1). A new nematicidal sesquiterpene was obtained from the leaves of M. grandiflora. The compound was determined to be 4,5-epoxy-1(10)E,11(13)-germacradien-12,6-olide, based on spectroscopic methods including 2D NMR techniques. The median lethal concentrations (LC50) of the compound against B. xylophilus and P. redivivus were 71 and 46 mg L(-1) respectively at 48 h. This is the first report of Magnoliaceae species with nematicidal activity.

Physiological modes of action of toxic chemicals in the nematode Acrobeloides nanus

To gain a better understanding of the mechanisms through which a chemical exerts toxicity, a deeper insight is needed regarding the physiological processes that take place during a toxic stress. This issue can have important benefits for risk assessment, because it can contribute to a better interpretation of toxicity data. Here, we study the physiological mode of action of three different compounds (cadmium, carbendazim, and pentachlorobenzene) with an experimental data-based approach using whole life-cycle toxicity data from the nematode Acrobeloides nanus. We use a process-based model, based on the dynamic energy budget theory, to study the fluxes of energy related to physiological processes and their variation throughout the life cycle. With this approach, we unravel the physiological modes of action based on resource allocation, and we model the effects of the different modes of action at the population level. The mode of action of carbendazim was through a decrease in assimilation, with an additional effect on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cadmium increased the costs of growth, with an extra effect on ROS production, and pentachlorobenzene decreased assimilation. We compared the present results with those of previous studies using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, and we found that the modes of action for the three compounds differed from those found in A. nanus, showing that the life-history characteristics of each organism have a clear influence on the resulting modes of action. This highlights the importance of the interactions between a chemical and the biological characteristics of the organism in determination of the resulting physiological modes of action.

Compatibility of entomopathogenic nematodes with fipronil

The survival and infectivity of infective juveniles (IJs) of three species of entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser, S. arenarium (Artyukhovsky) (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae), were determined after exposure to different concentrations (250, 500, 1000 and 2000 ppm) of fipronil, an insecticide acting on the GABA receptors to block the chloride channel. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora was very tolerant to all concentrations of fipronil, with the highest mortality of 17% being observed at 2000 ppm of fipronil after 72 h exposure. Steinernema carpocapsae showed a similar response, with the highest mortality of 11.25% of IJs being observed after 72 h exposure to 2000 ppm of fipronil. Steinernema arenarium was, however, more sensitive to fipronil, and at 2000 ppm mortality rates of 94.6% and 100% were observed after 24 and 72 h, respectively. Fipronil had negligible effects on the infectivity of the three nematode species tested. The IJs which survive exposure to all concentrations of fipronil tested can infect and reproduce in Galleria larvae. The moderate effects on entomopathogenic nematodes of a lower fipronil concentration (250 ppm) and the field rates (12-60 ppm) of fipronil used as insecticide, suggest that direct mixing of entomopathogenic nematodes and fipronil at field rates is a viable integrated pest management option.

Bacillus sp. B16 kills nematodes with a serine protease identified as a pathogenic factor

An endospore-forming bacterium, strain B16, was isolated from a soil sample and identified as a Bacillus sp. The strain presented remarkable nematotoxic activity against nematode Panagrellus redivivus. The crude extracellular protein extract from culture supernatant of the bacteria killed about 80% of the tested nematodes within 24 h, suggesting the involvement of extracellular proteases. A homogeneous extracellular protease was purified by chromatography, and the hypothesis of proteinaceous pathogeny in the infection of B16 strain was confirmed by the experiments of killing living nematodes and by the degradation of purified nematode cuticle when treated with the homogenous protease. The gene for the virulence protease was cloned, and the nucleotide sequence was determined. The deduced amino acid sequence showed significant similarity with subtilisin BPN' but low homology with the other cuticle-degrading proteases previously reported in fungi. Characterization of the purified protease revealed the molecular mass of 28 kDa and the optimum activity at pH 10, 50 degrees C. The purified protease can hydrolyze several native proteinaceous substrates, including collagen and nematode cuticle. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a serine protease from a Bacillus genus of bacteria that serves as a pathogenic factor against nematodes, an important step in understanding the relationship between bacterial pathogen and host and in improving the nematocidal activity in biological control.

Integration of insect parasitic nematodes (Rhabditida steinernematidae) with insecticides for control of pest mole crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae: Scapteriscus spp.)

To develop a successful integrated pest management program for pest mole crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae: Scapteriscus spp.), it is important to ascertain the compatibility of infective juveniles of insect parasitic nematodes and chemical insecticides. Aqueous solutions of five pesticides (acephate, bifenthrin, deltamethrin, fipronil, and imidacloprid) used in turfgrass to control mole crickets were tested for compatibility with Steinernema scapterisci Nguyen & Smart (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) in the laboratory. Survival of S. scapterisci was >95% in solutions of acephate, bifenthrin, and imidacloprid. Infectivity of S. scapterisci in adult Scapteriscus vicinus Scudder was >60% in acephate and bifenthrin; however, infectivity was <40% in imidacloprid. The entomopathogenic nematode was compatible with most insecticides tested without significantly reduced survival or infectivity.

Recruitment of entomopathogenic nematodes by insect-damaged maize roots

Plants under attack by arthropod herbivores often emit volatile compounds from their leaves that attract natural enemies of the herbivores. Here we report the first identification of an insect-induced belowground plant signal, (E)-beta-caryophyllene, which strongly attracts an entomopathogenic nematode. Maize roots release this sesquiterpene in response to feeding by larvae of the beetle Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, a maize pest that is currently invading Europe. Most North American maize lines do not release (E)-beta-caryophyllene, whereas European lines and the wild maize ancestor, teosinte, readily do so in response to D. v. virgifera attack. This difference was consistent with striking differences in the attractiveness of representative lines in the laboratory. Field experiments showed a fivefold higher nematode infection rate of D. v. virgifera larvae on a maize variety that produces the signal than on a variety that does not, whereas spiking the soil near the latter variety with authentic (E)-beta-caryophyllene decreased the emergence of adult D. v. virgifera to less than half. North American maize lines must have lost the signal during the breeding process. Development of new varieties that release the attractant in adequate amounts should help enhance the efficacy of nematodes as biological control agents against root pests like D. v. virgifera.

Nematicidal activity and chemical component of Poria cocos

Poria cocos, a famous traditional Chinese medicine, was found to have nematicidal activity in experiments searching for nematicidal fungi. The experiment showed it could kill 94.9% of the saprophytic nematode, Panagrellus redivivue, 92.6% of the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne arenaria, and 93.5% of the pine nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, on PDA plate within 12 hours. According to the nematicidal activity, three new compounds, 2, 4, 6-triacetylenic octane diacid, 2, 4, 5, 6-tetrahydroxyhexanoic acid and 3, 4-dihydroxy-2-keto-n-butyl 2,4,5,6-tetrahydroxyhexanate, were isolated from submerged cultures of Poria cocos. Of these, 2, 4, 6-triacetylenic octane diacid could kill 83.9% Meloidogyne arenaria and 73.4% Panagrellus redivivus at 500 ppm within 12 hours. Here, it is reported for the first time that Poria cocos has nematicidal activity.

Permeability of the infective juveniles of Steinernema carpocapsae to glycerol during osmotic dehydration and its effect on biochemical adaptation and energy metabolism

Permeability of the sheath and cuticle of the infective juveniles (IJs) of Steinernema carpocapsae to glycerol and its effect on biochemical adaptation of the IJs to osmotic dehydration were examined by incubating both sheathed and exsheathed IJs in glycerol-d5 solution then monitoring the changes in levels of deuterium labelled and non-labelled glycerol and trehalose. Energy metabolism of the IJs during osmotic dehydration and subsequent rehydration and the effect of the permeated glycerol on this process were investigated by examining and comparing the changes in mean dry weight and key biochemical composition of the IJs dehydrated in glycerol and sodium chloride solutions. The results show: (1) similarly to evaporative dehydration, osmotic dehydration induces IJs to synthesise the protectants glycerol and trehalose; (2) glycerol permeates the sheath and the cuticle into the body of IJs during dehydration in glycerol solution. Part of the permeated glycerol plays a role as protectant like that synthesised by IJs from their energy reserve materials while part is incorporated into trehalose; (3) the sheath reduces the rate of permeation of glycerol and therefore affects the equilibrium glycerol and trehalose levels of the IJs and also the time needed to reach the equilibrium levels; (4) the reduction in mean dry weight and lipids of the IJs during dehydration in glycerol solution is substantially less than those dehydrated in sodium chloride solution. Both the total protectant level and the ratio of glycerol to trehalose of the IJs dehydrated in glycerol solution are higher than those dehydrated in sodium chloride solution; (5) glycogen reserves of the IJs play a role as a buffer reservoir of the protectants during both dehydration and rehydration but the principal sources of the protectants during dehydration are more likely to be lipids and proteins rather than glycogen.

[An analysis of the results of histological and histochemical research on the integumental tissues and the digestive system of nematodes of the suborder Strongylata after the use of anthelmintics]

The analysis of the action of various anthelmintics on the integuments and digestive system of Strongylate nematodes indicated that all the used agents caused varying structural disorders. The swelling of the cuticle and its detachment from the subcuticle occurred with the overwhelming majority of the anthelminths on the integuments of the Strongylate nematodes. The digestive system showed an ample epithelial vacuolation in the intestinal wall, as well as swelling and destruction in the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. Almost all the used agent lowered the levels of glycogen and RNA in the tissue of Strongylate nematodes.

Toxicity of organomercury compounds: bioassay results as a basis for risk assessment

A former mercury plant, where mercury salts and organomercurials for pesticide use were produced, caused soil contamination in high concentrations. Typical organomercurial products included ethylmercury, phenylmercury, methoxyethylmercury and ethoxyethylmercury compounds. Risk assessment of these sites must be carried out before any major clean-up processes can be planned. A sensitive speciation technique for the various organomercury species in environmental matrices is a prerequisite for toxicity investigations. In this connection, a high-performance liquid chromatography-atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HPLC-AFS) technique has been developed to differentiate between and determine the presence of eight organomercury compounds in environmental samples. Using this technique, methylmercury, ethylmercury and phenylmercury and some unknown organomercury species were found in soil samples collected from the sites of an old mercury products producing plant. With regard to risk assessment, it is necessary to assess the toxicity of the organomercurials. As different microbial metabolic pathways react differently to mercury and its compounds, batteries of bioassays are, therefore, useful to evaluate the toxicity of pollutants. To describe the toxicity and genotoxicity of MeHg+, MeOEtHg+, EtHg+, EtOEtHg+ and PhHg+, p-tolymercury chloride, nitromersol and Hg2+ six bioassays were used: resazurin reduction method, Spirillum volutans test, nematode toxicity assay Panagrellus redivivus, Toxi-Chromotest and SOS-Chromotest. A ranking of the toxicity of the organomercurial is shown. The SOS-Chromotest indicated genotoxicity for 5-7 organomercurials.

Nematode test to estimate the hazard potential of solved contaminations

The acute toxicity of lindane, pentachlorophenol and a fluortenside was examined using a recently developed ecotoxicity test with the terrestrial nematode species Panagrellus redivivus. The exposure was performed in aqueous solution over an investigation period of 96 h. For lindane a time dependent decrease of the survival rate (LC50 after 96 h: 0.4 mg/l) was observed which indicates a high cuticular permeability of the insecticide. For pentachlorophenol the LC50 (96 h) was 13 mg/l, for the fluortenside a value of 110 mg/l was determined.

Purification and characterization of an extracellular serine protease from the nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora

When grown in liquid cultures allowing the formation of nematode traps, the fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora produced two extracellular proteases hydrolysing the chromogenic substrate Azocoll. The protease activity was separated into two fractions (FI and FII) using anion-exchange chromatography. In bioassays, protease(s) present in FII immobilized the free-living nematode Panagrellus redivivus indicating that the enzyme(s) might be involved in the infection of nematodes. A protease designated PII was purified from FII to apparent homogeneity by hydrophobic interaction and size-exclusion chromatography, resulting in an approximately 15-fold increase in specific activity. The purified enzyme was glycosylated, had a molecular mass of approximately 35 kDa (gel filtration) and an isoelectric point of pH 4.6. PII immobilized P. redivivus in bioassays and hydrolysed proteins of the purified cuticle. The enzyme hydrolysed several protein substrates including casein, bovine serum albumin and gelatin, but not native collagen. Examination of substrate specificity with synthetic peptides showed that PII readily hydrolysed tripeptides with aromatic or basic amino acids including N-benzoyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-valyl-L-arginine-4-nitroanilide (Bz-Phe-Val-Arg-NA) and succinyl-glycyl-glycyl-L-phenylalanine-4-nitroanilide (Suc-Gly-Gly-Phe-NA). Mono-peptides were hydrolysed at considerably slower rates. PII had an optimum activity between pH 7 and 9 and was susceptible to autodegradation. PII was inhibited by several serine protease inhibitors including phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), chymostatin and antipain. The protease was N-terminally blocked, but the sequence of one internal peptide showed a high homology with a region containing the active site histidine residue of the subtilisin family of serine proteases.