Biological and Clinical Assessment of a New Bisphosphonate, (Chloro-4 Phenyl) Thiomethylene Bisphosphonate, in the Treatment of Paget's Disease of Bone

in BONE (1988), 9(6), 349-54

Several Biophosphonates have been used as therapeutic agents for Paget's bone disease. (Chloro-4 phenyl)thiomethylene-bisphosphonate (CIPsMBP) has recently been shown to have significant antiosteoclastic ... [more ▼]

Several Biophosphonates have been used as therapeutic agents for Paget's bone disease. (Chloro-4 phenyl)thiomethylene-bisphosphonate (CIPsMBP) has recently been shown to have significant antiosteoclastic activity while an affect of CIPsMBP on mineralization was only observed at high doses. We tested this drug for 6 months in 23 pagetic patients distributed in three groups. Gr 1 (n = 5) receiving 200 mg/day showed a decrease of serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP) to 42 +/- 4% (p less than 0.01) of initial value (100%) while hydroxyprolinuria/creatinuria ratio (OH/Cr) dropped to 69 +/- 8% of baseline. In 4 patients receiving 400 mg/day, SAP improved to 48 +/- 9% of initial value (p less than 0.01) and OH/Cr to 40 +/- 3% (p less than 0.01). In the last group (n = 14) receiving 200 mg/day for 3 months, and 400 mg/day thereafter up to the 6th month SAP decreased to 53 +/- 4% and OH/Cr to 62 +/- 6% of initial value (p less than 0.01). Clinical improvement was significant from the first month of treatment. No resistance (mean decrease of SAP lower than 30%) was recorded and no radiological or clinical evidence of mineralization defect appeared. The clinical and biological tolerance was excellent throughout the study. [less ▲]

Biological aspects of angiogenesis in multiple myeloma.

in International Journal of Hematology (2011), 94(6), 505-18

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy characterized by the aberrant expansion of malignant plasma cells within the bone marrow (BM). One of the hallmarks of this disease is the close ... [more ▼]

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy characterized by the aberrant expansion of malignant plasma cells within the bone marrow (BM). One of the hallmarks of this disease is the close interaction between myeloma cells and neighboring cells within the BM. Angiogenesis, through the activation of endothelial cells, plays an essential role in MM biology. In the current review, we describe the angiogenesis process in MM by identifying the interacting cells, the pro- and anti-angiogenic cytokines modulated, and the extracellular matrix degrading proteases liable to participate in the pathophysiology. Finally, we highlight the impact of hypoxia (through hypoxia-inducible factor-1) and constitutive activation of nuclear factor-κB in this tumor-induced neo-vascularization. [less ▲]

Biological characterization of bovine herpesvirus 1 recombinants possessing the vaccine glycoprotein E negative phenotype

in Veterinary Microbiology (2006), 113(3-4), 283-291

Intramolecular recombination is a frequent event during the replication cycle of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1). Recombinant viruses frequently arise and survive in cattle after concomitant nasal ... [more ▼]

Intramolecular recombination is a frequent event during the replication cycle of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1). Recombinant viruses frequently arise and survive in cattle after concomitant nasal infections with two BoHV-1 mutants. The consequences of this process, related to herpesvirus evolution, have to be assessed in the context of large use of live marker vaccines based on glycoprotein E (gE) gene deletion. In natural conditions, double nasal infections by vaccine and wild-type strains are likely to occur. This situation might generate virulent recombinant viruses inducing a serological response indistinguishable from the vaccine one. This question was addressed by generating in vitro BoHV-1 recombinants deleted in the gE gene from seven wild-type BoHV-1 strains and one mutant strain deleted in the genes encoding gC and gE. In vitro growth properties were assessed by virus production, one step growth kinetics and plaque size assay. Heterogeneity in the biological properties was shown among the investigated recombinant viruses. The results demonstrated that some recombinants. in spite of their gE minus phenotype, have biological characteristics close to wild-type BoHV-1. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Biological control device using the aphidophagous hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer) (Diptera: Syrphidae)

Poster (2010, May 05)

Augmentative biocontrol constitutes a safe way to reduce pest populations through the enhancement of natural enemies’ activity. In this context, the aphidophagous syrphid Episyrphus baltetaus (De Geer ... [more ▼]

Augmentative biocontrol constitutes a safe way to reduce pest populations through the enhancement of natural enemies’ activity. In this context, the aphidophagous syrphid Episyrphus baltetaus (De Geer) (Diptera: Syrphidae) is a promising candidate for aphid biological control: larvae of this syrphid attack and consume a wide range of aphid species and are found on many vegetable crops. Because natural populations of beneficials are not always sufficient to regulate the pest infestations, this work has focused on the conception of a biological control device containing syrphid eggs which can easily be introduced in fields or greenhouses. To test and validate the biological control device described above, laboratory and field experiments were performed: a plastic lamella covered with syrphid eggs was suspended on aphid infested plants in order to measure the efficiency of the device. The results obtained were promising since populations of 500 aphids were eliminated in ten days when 15 syrphid eggs were introduced. The use of such a biological control device could certainly contribute to aphid biological control strategies. [less ▲]

Biological control of Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium sp. on post-harvest apples by two antagonistic yeasts.

in Mededelingen van de Faculteit Landbouwkundige en Toegepaste Biologische Wetenschappen (Rijksuniversiteit te Gent) (1993), 58(3b),

Biological Control of Crown Rot of Bananas With Pichia Anomala Strain K And Candida Oleophila Strain O

in Biological Control (2008), 45(3), 410-418

The antagonistic activity of two yeast strains (Pichia anomala (E.C. Hansen) Kurtzman, strain K and Candida oleophila Montrocher, strain O) against the parasitic complex responsible for banana crown rot ... [more ▼]

The antagonistic activity of two yeast strains (Pichia anomala (E.C. Hansen) Kurtzman, strain K and Candida oleophila Montrocher, strain O) against the parasitic complex responsible for banana crown rot was evaluated. The strains were applied at three different concentrations (106, 107 , 108 cfu/ml) and their efficacy tested in vivo on three separate fungi (Colletotrichum musae (Berk. & Curt.) Arx, Fusarium moniliforme Sheldon, and Cephalosporium sp.) and on a parasitic complex formed by association of these three fungi. At the concentrations used C. musae appeared to be the most pathogenic. The complex showed intermediate aggressiveness between C. musae and both other fungi. Statistically significant antagonistic effects were observed on C. musae, F. moniliforme, and the fungal complex. The highest protection level (54.4%) was observed with strain O added at 108 cfu/ml on crowns previously inoculated with the fungal complex. The level was lower when the fungi were inoculated separately. Furthermore, the antagonistic effect was strongly reinforced when strain O at 108 cfu/ml was applied 24 h before fungal complex inoculation (59.9%), as compared to its application 15 min (24.3%) or 3 h (27.3%) after fungal complex inoculation. Bananas showed increased susceptibility to the fungal complex from March to June, and this influenced the level of protection by yeast, which decreased over the same period. A strict negative correlation (R2 = 0.83) was highlighted between susceptibility of banana to crown rot and protection provided by yeast. [less ▲]

Biological control of grey mould in strawberry fruits by halophilic bacteria

in Journal of Applied Microbiology (2009), 106(3), 833-846

Aims: Grey mould caused by Botrytis cinerea is an economically important disease of strawberries in Tunisia and worldwide. The aim of this study was to select effective halophilic bacteria from ... [more ▼]

Aims: Grey mould caused by Botrytis cinerea is an economically important disease of strawberries in Tunisia and worldwide. The aim of this study was to select effective halophilic bacteria from hypersaline ecosystems and evaluate the abilities of antifungal bacteria to secrete extracellular hydrolytic enzymes, anti- Botrytis metabolites and volatiles. Methods and Results: Grey mould was reduced in strawberry fruits treated with halophilic antagonists and artificially inoculated with B. cinerea. Thirty strains (20Æ2%) were active against the pathogen and reduced the percentage of fruits infected after 3 days of storage at 20 C, from 50% to 91Æ66%. The antagonists were characterized by phenotypic tests and 16S rDNA sequencing. They were identified as belonging to one of the species: Virgibacillus marismortui, B. subtilis, B. pumilus, B. licheniformis, Terribacillus halophilus, Halomonas elongata, Planococcus rifietoensis, Staphylococcus equorum and Staphylococcus sp. The effective isolates were tested for antifungal secondary metabolites. Conclusions: Moderately halophilic bacteria may be useful in biological control against this pathogen during postharvest storage of strawberries. Significance and Impact of the study: The use of such bacteria may constitute an important alternative to synthetic fungicides. These moderate halophiles can be exploited in commercial production and application of the effective strains under storage and greenhouse conditions. [less ▲]

Biological control of postharvest Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium on apples

in Bulletin OILB/SROP = IOBC/WPRS Bulletin (1993), (16), 106-110

Biological control of Rhizoctonia root rot on bean by phenazine and cyclic lipopeptide producing Pseudomonas CMR12a

in Phytopathology (2011), 101

Biological control using Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer) (Diptera: Syrphidae)

Poster (2010, May 18)

Augmentative biocontrol constitutes a safe way to reduce pest populations through the enhancement of natural enemies’ activity. In this context, the aphidophagous syrphid Episyrphus baltetaus (De Geer ... [more ▼]

Augmentative biocontrol constitutes a safe way to reduce pest populations through the enhancement of natural enemies’ activity. In this context, the aphidophagous syrphid Episyrphus baltetaus (De Geer) (Diptera: Syrphidae) is a promising candidate for aphid biological control: larvae of this syrphid attack and consume a wide range of aphid species and are found on many vegetable crops. Because natural populations of beneficials are not always sufficient to regulate the pest infestations, this work has focused on the conception of a biological control device containing syrphid eggs which can easily be introduced in fields or greenhouses. Using semiochemicals [E-(β)-farnesene, R-(+)-limonene and (Z)-3-hexenol], honeydews and “artificial honeydews” (10% or 30% aqueous solutions of sucrose, fructose and glucose), the syrphid oviposition was artificially induced on an inert surface. To test and validate the biological control device described above, laboratory and field experiments were performed: a plastic lamella covered with syrphid eggs was suspended on aphid infested plants in order to measure the efficiency of the device. The results obtained were promising since populations of 500 aphids were eliminated in ten days when 15 syrphid eggs were introduced. The use of such a biological control device could certainly contribute to aphid biological control strategies. [less ▲]