Raman spectroscopic analysis of the effect of the lichenicolous fungus Xanthoriicola physciae on its lichen host

YesLichenicolous (lichen-dwelling) fungi have been extensively researched taxonomically over many years, and phylogenetically in recent years, but the biology of the relationship between the invading fungus and the lichen host has received limited attention, as has the effects on the chemistry of the host, being difficult to examine in situ. Raman spectroscopy is an established method for the characterization of chemicals in situ, and this technique is applied to a lichenicolous fungus here for the first time. Xanthoriicola physciae occurs in the apothecia of Xanthoria parietina, producing conidia at the hymenium surface. Raman spectroscopy of apothecial sections revealed that parietin and carotenoids were destroyed in infected apothecia. Those compounds protect healthy tissues of the lichen from extreme insolation and their removal may contribute to the deterioration of the apothecia. Scytonemin was also detected, but was most probably derived from associated cyanobacteria. This work shows that Raman spectroscopy has potential for investigating changes in the chemistry of a lichen by an invading lichenicolous fungus.This work was completed while D.L.H. was in receipt of an award from the Ministerio de Economica y Competitividad of Spain (Proyectos CGL 2014-55542-P)

Microbial biopesticides for integrated crop management : an assessment of environmental and regulatory sustainability

Herbivorous insects and mites, plant diseases and weeds are major impediments to the production of food crops and are increasingly difficult to control with conventional chemicals. This paper focuses on microbial control agents with an emphasis on augmentation. There are marked differences in the availability of products in different countries which can be explained in terms of differences in their regulatory systems. Regulatory failure arises from the application of an inappropriate synthetic pesticides model. An understanding of regulatory innovation is necessary to overcome these problems. Two attempts at remedying regulatory failure in the UK and the Netherlands are assessed. Scientific advances can feed directly into the regulatory process and foster regulatory innovation

Characterization of the inspiratory manoeuvre when asthmatics inhale through a Turbohaler pre- and post-counselling in a community pharmacy

AbstractDose emission from a Turbohaler®has been shown to be dependent on the rate of inhalation, with an optimal flow of 60lmin−1recommended. Some patients may need counselling to achieve this fast inhalation. Inhalation rate profiles of 24 asthmatics were measured when they inhaled through a placebo Turbohaler®. The setting was a community pharmacy when the asthmatics came to collect their next supply of medication. Profiles were measured before and after counselling on how to use the Turbohaler. The mean (SD) peak inhalation rate through the Turbohaler pre- and post-counselling was 48·0 (16·8) and 54·7 (17·6) l min−1, and their inspiratory volume was 1·75 (0·68) and 1·94 (0·62) l, respectively. Their mean (SD) percent predicted FEV1was 57·0 (18·9)%. After counselling, 12 patients achieved an inhalation rate of >60 l min−1and a further four obtained >55 l min−1. Emphasis should be placed on counselling patients prescribed all types of inhaled devices rather than concentrating on metered dose inhalers

Cyclotron resonance of high-mobility GaAs/AlGaAs (311) 2DHGs

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