Syncytia formation by SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected cells

In the supporting information of the article, the authors noticed that there was an error in Movie EV1. The right panel (SARS‐CoV‐2 + IFITM1) showed the same PI channel data (red) as the middle panel (SARS‐CoV‐2). This mistake occurred during the assembly of the merged movie file and does not change the interpretation of the data. A corrected version of the movie is herewith updated.     

Erythrocytic phosphates and flying activity in birds

1. The intraerythrocitary organic phosphates in different avian species (Sturnus vulgaris, Apus apus, Gallus gallus domesticus, Coturnix coturnix japonica and Columba livia) were analyzed by ionic exchange chromatography. The chromatograms of these species revealed the presence of ADP, ATP, GTP, IPP and inorganic phosphate. 2. The main organic phosphates (ATP and IPP) and the inorganic phosphate were also evaluated, directly, in other specimens. The IPP levels were very similar in all species; however, for ATP, there were great differences, with the lowest value in chickens (1.53 mumol/ml) and the highest value in starlings (5.58 mumol/ml). 3. A progressive training program for homing pigeons with flights from 80 to 760 km did not cause significant variations in IPP levels. Nevertheless, the ATP concentration values showed significant changes. 4. A specific relationship between the flying habits in different species of birds or the training exercise for pigeons and the erythrocyte organic phosphates, was not evident. 5. Hematocrit and hemoglobin values showed significant changes during the progressive training program.     

HgCl2 inhibition of Na-independent L-proline transport in chicken proximal cecum.

The proximal cecum of 5- and 13-wk-old chickens takes up L-proline (Pro) by two saturable pathways that differ in their requirement of Na+. The kinetic properties of Pro influx in cecal segments incubated in Na(+)-free conditions, have been studied and the effect of HgCl2 on the uptake process has been tested. Experiments were carried out using an in vitro everted-sleeve method. Kinetic parameters were estimated by nonlinear regression analysis. One min Pro fluxes in tissues incubated in presence of HgCl2 fit a straight line, indicating that a Na-independent saturable component was inhibited. Estimated Kd* values are the same in 5- and 13-wk-old chickens, 0.023 +/- 0.001 and 0.027 +/- 0.001 microliters.mg-1 x min-1, respectively. HgCl2-sensitive fluxes fit a Michaelis hyperbola, with similar Km* values, 4.85 +/- 1.86 (5-wk) and 9.47 +/- 3.0 (13-wk) mmol/l. However, Vmax* in 5-wk chickens (0.662 +/- 0.053 nmol.mg-1 x min-1) is higher than in 13-wk birds (0.420 +/- 0.039), in accordance with previous results. The present data give further support to the existence of a Na-independent L-proline carrier in the chicken proximal cecum which is inhibitable by HgCl2.     

Intestinal iron absorption in chickens

Intestinal iron absorption in chickens was studied in vivo, using an intestinal perfusion technique in closed circuit. The results obtained show that iron absorption, at 30 min intervals, is a linear function of test solution iron concentrations of up to 776 μg Fe/20 mL. At higher concentrations, iron saturation occurs. The mucosal epithelial cells seem to be less a limiting factor than in rats. However, in chickens, the binding capacity of plasma might play an important role in the regulation of iron absorption. Iron absorption versus time was analyzed in 15, 30, 60, and 120 min periods for the iron concentration of 14 μg Fe/20 mL. Intestinal iron absorption showed a linear relationship between these two parameters. A period of perfusion of either 30 or 60 min by a solution of 14 μg Fe/20 mL appears suitable since no interference by a saturation process can then occur.