Techniques for the detection of pathogenic Cryptococcus species in wood decay substrata and the evaluation of viability in stored samples

In this study, we evaluated several techniques for the detection of the yeast form of Cryptococcus in decaying wood and measured the viability of these fungi in environmental samples stored in the laboratory. Samples were collected from a tree known to be positive for Cryptococcus and were each inoculated on 10 Niger seed agar (NSA) plates. The conventional technique (CT) yielded a greater number of positive samples and indicated a higher fungal density [in colony forming units per gram of wood (CFU.g^-1) ] compared to the humid swab technique (ST). However, the difference in positive and false negative results between the CT-ST was not significant. The threshold of detection for the CT was 0.05.10³ CFU.g^-1, while the threshold for the ST was greater than 0.1.10³ CFU^-1. No colonies were recovered using the dry swab technique. We also determined the viability of Cryptococcus in wood samples stored for 45 days at 25ºC using the CT and ST and found that samples not only continued to yield a positive response, but also exhibited an increase in CFU.g^-1, suggesting that Cryptococcus is able to grow in stored environmental samples. The ST.1, in which samples collected with swabs were immediately plated on NSA medium, was more efficient and less laborious than either the CT or ST and required approximately 10 min to perform; however, additional studies are needed to validate this technique.     

Synthesis,Molecular Modeling,and Biological Evaluation of Novel Chiral Thiosemicarbazone Derivatives as Potent Anticancer Agents

A series of new chiral thiosemicarbazones derived from homochiral amines in both enantiomeric forms were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antiproliferative activity against A549 (human alveolar adenocarcinoma), MCF‐7 (human breast adenocarcinoma), HeLa (human cervical adenocarcinoma), and HGC‐27 (human stomach carcinoma) cell lines. Some of compounds showed inhibitory activities on the growth of cancer cell lines. Especially, compound 17b exhibited the most potent activity (IC₅₀ 4.6 μM) against HGC‐27 as compared with the reference compound, sindaxel (IC₅₀ 10.3 μM), and could be used as a lead compound to search new chiral thiosemicarbazone derivatives as antiproliferative agents. Chirality 27:177–188, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Monoclonal antibodies to the hydrogenase ofThiocapsa roseopersicina

Monoclonal antibodies were produced to electrophoretically pure hydrogenase fromThiocapsa roseopersicina. Protein immunoelectroblotting was used to identify the hydrogenase-specific antibodies. Among the 18 monoclonal antibodies selected by enzyme immunoassay, three were found to react with highly immunogenic trace contaminating proteins. One cell line produced antibody that inhibitied hydrogenase activity. This was the first specific inhibitor of the hydrogenase function. The results suggest that monoclonal antibodies could provide valuable new informations about the enzyme structure as well.     

Immunological study of a hemophiliac treated according to the Bonn protocol for 2 1/2 years

A major haemophiliac A, 27 years old, has been treated during 30 months, with high dosage of imported Factor VIII, in order to reduce the titer of a F VIII antibody. A good clinical result has been obtained. No sign of immunodeficiency has been observed. Normal values were obtained for T4/T8, ratio B2 microglobulin and no antibody was detected against the LAV virus isolated from cases of AIDS.     

Large Tristichopteridae (Sarcopterygii, Tetrapodomorpha) from the Late Famennian Evieux Formation of Belgium

Remains of two large sarcopterygians are described from Famennian deposits in Belgium. One of them is referred to Eusthenodon wängsjöi Jarvik; it is the first occurrence of this genus in Belgium. The other, much larger one, appears to be a tristichopterid. It has a postspiracular; size and shape of the mandible similar to those of Platycephalichthys skuenicus and P. bischoffi ; snout and cheek patterns close to those of Eusthenodon ; unusual shape of the supratemporal resembling that of Hyneria , Mandageria and Platycephalichthys skuenicus ; and tooth histology quite similar to that of Eusthenodon and Platycephalichthys .     

Antibiotic prophylaxis, antibiotic therapy and microbiological situation in surgical unit]

The clinical and economic efficacies of antibiotic prophylaxis in the surgical unit of the Hospital were confirmed by the results of the analysis of 1313 case records of the patients operated during a year for acute appendicitis and acute cholecystitis. At the same time it was shown advisable to use antibiotic therapy in the patients with various pathological processes. The dynamics of the microbial dissemination in the surgical unit and some other units of the Hospital, as well as the dynamics of antibiotic resistance of the microflora, its interrelation with the volume of the antibacterials used and their rotation are described.