An antifungal bacterial strain, isolated from a greenhouse soil sample, inhibits growth of micro flora nearby. It was selected for further studies of bacterial antifungal properties. This isolate was identified as a Pseudomonas sp. based on carbohydrate utilization, and other biochemical and physiological tests. Petri plate assay revealed that the Pseudomonas sp. exhibited antifungal activity against the plant pathogens, Pythium ultimum, Rhizoctonia solani, Phytophthora capsici, Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium oxysporum. Using direct inhibition bioassay on TLC plates after ethyl acetate extraction of the culture filtrate, we correlated antifungal activity with production of antifungal compounds. An antifungal antibiotic was isolated from the culture filtrate and was identified as A^-butylbenzenesulphonamide. ED50 values of the 7V-butylbenzenesulphonamide against P. ultimum, P. capsiei, R. solani, and B. cinerea were 73, 41, 33 and 102 ppm, respectively. Each year, fungal diseases cause millions of dollars worth of crop damage all over the world despite the extensive use of pesticides1}. Also, environmental concerns and development of resistance in target populations have reduced the availability of effective fungicides. Among

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Adipogenesis is one of the cellular processes and a highly controlled program. Nowadays, inhibition of adipogenesis has received attention as an effective way to regulate obesity. In the current study, we investigated the inhibition effect of a chloroform extract of var. 'Beesan No. 2' (CEBT) on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 murine preadipocytes. var. is one of many varieties of King oyster mushroom and has been reported to have various biological activities, including antitumor and anti-inflammation effects. Biological activities of 'Beesan No. 2', a new cultivar of var., have not yet been reported. In this study, we found that CEBT suppressed adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells through inhibition of key adipogenic transcription factors, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α. Additionally, CEBT reduced the expression of the IRS/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and its downstream factors, including mammalian target of rapamycin and p70S6 kinase, which stimulate adipogenesis. Furthermore, β-catenin, a suppressor of adipogenesis, was increased in CEBT-treated cells. These results indicate that var. 'Beesan No. 2' effectively inhibited adipogenesis, so this mushroom has potential as an anti-obesity food and drug.

The objective of this study was to determine soil pH conditions that allow cadmium (Cd) to precipitate as Cd minerals in phosphate (P) amended soil. Cadmium immobilization could be attributed primarily to Cd adsorption due to increase in pH and negative charge. Soil pH might not affect Cd precipitation as Cd3(PO4)2 by direct reaction of Cd and P in the studied soil, even when soil pH increased up to 9.0. However, Cd might precipitate as CdCO3 with increasing pH up to 9.0 in P untreated soil and up to 8.0 in P treated soil depending on CO2 level.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and osteoarthritis (OA) are common chronic diseases that frequently co-exist. The link between OA and T2DM is attributed to common risk factors, including age and obesity. Several reports suggest that hyperglycemia and accumulated advanced glycosylation end-products might regulate cartilage homeostasis and contribute to the development and progression of OA. Metformin is used widely as the first-line treatment for T2DM. The drug acts by regulating glucose levels and improving insulin sensitivity. The anti-diabetic effects of metformin are mediated mainly via activation of adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which is an energy sensing enzyme activated directly by an increase in the AMP/ATP ratio under conditions of metabolic stress. Dysregulation of AMPK is strongly associated with development of T2DM and metabolic syndrome. In this review, we discuss common risk factors, the association between OA and T2DM, and the role of AMPK. We also address the adaptive use of metformin, a known AMPK activator, as a new drug for treatment of patients with OA and T2DM.