Pyrodiversity and the anthropocene: the role of fire in the broad spectrum revolution

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 105-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas W. Bird ◽  
Rebecca Bliege Bird ◽  
Brian F. Codding
2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-461
Author(s):  
Gabriela M. Baia ◽  
Otniel Freitas-Silva ◽  
Murillo F. Junior

Fruits and vegetables are foods that come into contact with various types of microorganisms from planting to their consumption. A lack or poor sanitation of these products after harvest can cause high losses due to deterioration and/ or pathogenic microorganisms. There are practically no post-harvest fungicides or bactericides with a broad spectrum of action that have no toxic residual effects and are safe. However, to minimize such problems, the use of sanitizers is an efficient device against these microorganisms. Chlorine is the most prevalent sanitizing agent because of its broad spectrum, low cost and well-established practices. However, the inevitable formation of disinfection by-products, such as trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), is considered one of the main threats to food safety. Alternative sanitizers, such as chlorine dioxide (ClO2) and ozone, are becoming popular as a substitute for traditional post-harvest treatments. Thus, this review addresses the use of chlorine, chlorine dioxide and ozone emphasizing aspects, such as usage, safe application, spectrum of action and legislation. In order to ensure the quality and safety of final products, the adoption of well-prepared sanitation and sanitation programs for post-harvest fruits and vegetables is essential.


Author(s):  
Akshay Vaidya

Viral infections remain major “worldwide” cause of morbidity and mortality.  Herbal extracts or wholesome drugs have been in use for medicinal purposes since ancient time and are known for their antiviral properties and more tolerable side effects. Thus, naturally based pharmacotherapy is a proper alternative for treating viral diseases. Hence this article describes potential antiviral properties of medicinal plants against diverse group of viruses and suggests screening the potential of plants possessing broad spectrum anti-viral effects against viral diseases. Guduchyadi Kwath is a polyherb ayurvedic preparation useful in various diseases. It is useful in pitta vikar, shleshma vikar, Jwara, Chardi, Daha, Trushna, and Agnimandya1. According to modern science it showed anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antimalarial, hepatoprotective, wound healing and immune-modulatory action. The study is aim to the effect of “Guduchyadi kashaya” on viral diseases.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel J. Dobson ◽  
Jamel Mankouri ◽  
Adrian Whitehouse

ABSTRACTFollowing internalisation viruses have to escape the endocytic pathway and deliver their genomes to initiate replication. Members of the Polyomaviridae transit through the endolysosomal network and through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), from which heavily degraded capsids escape into the cytoplasm prior to nuclear entry. Acidification of endosomes and ER entry are essential in the lifecycle of polyomaviruses, however many mechanistic requirements are yet to be elucidated. Alteration of endocytic pH relies upon the activity of ion channels. Using two polyomaviruses with differing capsid architecture, namely Simian virus 40 (SV40) and Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), we firstly describe methods to rapidly quantify infection using an IncuCyte ZOOM instrument, prior to investigating the role of K+ and Ca2+ channels during early stages of infection. Broad spectrum inhibitors identified that MCPyV, but not SV40, is sensitive to K+ channel modulation. In contrast, both viruses are restricted by the broad spectrum Ca2+ channel inhibitor verapamil, however specific targeting of transient or long lasting Ca2+ channel subfamilies had no detrimental effect. Further investigation revealed that tetrandrine blockage of two-pore channels (TPCs), the activity of which is essential for endolysosomal-ER fusion, ablates infectivity of both MCPyV and SV40 by preventing disassembly of the capsid, which is required for the exposure of minor capsid protein nuclear signals necessary for nuclear transport. This study therefore identifies a novel target to restrict the entry of polyomaviruses.IMPORTANCEPolyomaviruses establish ubiquitous, asymptomatic infection in their host. However, in the immunocompromised these viruses can cause a range of potentially fatal diseases. Through the use of SV40 and MCPyV, two polyomaviruses with different capsid organisation, we have investigated the role of ion channels during infection. Here, we show that Ca2+ channel activity is essential for both polyomaviruses and that MCPyV is also sensitive to K+ channel blockage, highlighting new mechanistic requirements of ion channels during polyomavirus infection. In particular, tetrandrine blockage of endolysosomal-ER fusion is highlighted as an essential modulator of both SV40 and MCPyV. Given that the role of ion channels in disease have been well characterised, there is a large panel of clinically available therapeutics that could be repurposed to restrict persistent polyomavirus infection and may ultimately prevent polyomavirus-associated disease.


Parasitology ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 114 (7) ◽  
pp. 137-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. H. ROOS

Parasitic helminths (worms) cause serious infectious diseases in humans and domestic animals. Control of these infections relies mostly on chemotherapeutics (the anthelmintics), but resistance has developed against most of these broad-spectrum drugs in many parasite species. These resistant parasites are being used to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance and drug action. This has led to the development of sensitive assays to detect resistant parasites, but this has not delayed the emergence of additional drug resistant parasite populations. Therefore, as development of new drugs by pharmaceutical companies is slow, we may have to be prepared for a time when broad-spectrum drugs are no longer effective, especially against worms of sheep.


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