What kind of lamp for the cultivation of algae?

A method for quantitative evaluation of light sources from the point of their suitability for algal cultivation is described. Two parameters are used for the evaluation:

Phytoliths as a seasonality indicator? The example of the Neolithic site of Pendimoun,south-eastern France

Vegetation History and Archaeobotany - Pendimoun rock-shelter is among the oldest Neolithic sites known on the French littoral (Impressa culture, since ca. 5700 bce). It was discontinuously...     

Validation of the BacT/ALERT?3D automated culture system for the detection of microbial contamination of epithelial cell culture medium

Living tissue engineering for regenerative therapy cannot withstand the usual pharmacopoeia methods of purification and terminal sterilization. Consequently, these products must be manufactured under aseptic conditions at microbiologically controlled environment facilities. This study was proposed to validate BacT/ALERT(?)3D automated culture system for microbiological control of epithelial cell culture medium (ECCM). Suspensions of the nine microorganisms recommended by the European Pharmacopoeia (Chap. 2.6.27: "Microbiological control of cellular products"), plus one species from oral mucosa and two negative controls with no microorganisms were prepared in ECCM. They were inoculated in FA (anaerobic) and SN (aerobic) culture bottles (Biomérieux, Lyon, France) and incubated in a BacT/ALERT(?)3D automated culture system. For each species, five sets of bottles were inoculated for reproducibility testing: one sample was incubated at the French Health Products Agency laboratory (reference) and the four others at Cell and Tissue Bank of Lyon, France. The specificity of the positive culture bottles was verified by Gram staining and then subcultured to identify the microorganism grown. The BacT/ALERT(?)3D system detected all the inoculated microorganisms in less than 2 days except Propionibacterium acnes which was detected in 3 days. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the BacT/ALERT(?)3D system can detect both aerobic and anaerobic bacterial and fungal contamination of an epithelial cell culture medium consistent with the European Pharmacopoeia chapter 2.6.27 recommendations. It showed the specificity, sensitivity, and precision of the BacT/ALERT(?)3D method, since all the microorganisms seeded were detected in both sites and the uncontaminated medium ECCM remained negative at 7 days.     

Apoptosis as an early event in the development of multiple organ failure?

We have recently developed a simple method of plasma free DNA detection, which enables us to distinguish between apoptotic and genomic (necrotic) DNA. After applying this method to the critically ill, we revealed apoptotic DNA on the day of admission to be higher than later when multiple-organ failure developed. Moreover, apoptotic DNA contributed to total plasma DNA much more than DNA from necrotic cells and its increase predicted future development of multiple-organ failure and death.     

Approaches to valuing plant medicines: the economics of culture or the culture of economics?

This paper explores the scope and limitations of the economic valuation of biodiversity. How and why is this a useful exercise, but in what way is its usefulness constrained? These issues are discussed with particular reference to cultural values within the context of medicinal plants and phytopharmaceutical development. It is argued that whilst economic valuation is an extremely important and necessary aid to formulating conservation policy, it probably is not that informative about the motivations of people in their use of certain natural resources. This is especially true for the case of medicinal plants where belief systems about the causes of disease and therefore strategies for healing are important. The paper reviews studies which have attempted to put monetary values on medicinal plants and the option values of pharmaceuticals developed from plants, and discusses the applicability of the various approaches. The implications for conservation policy, and for likely collaboration between social and natural scientists is discussed.     

On-line culture fluorescence measurement during the batch cultivation of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate producing Alcaligenes eutrophus

Estimation of biomass concentration by on-line fluorimetry was examined during batch cultivations of Alcaligenes eutrophus ATCC 17697, a poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid (PHB) producer. The results obtained revealed a linear correlation between total culture fluorescence and total biomass concentration. The total fluorescence level was attributed to cellular fluorescence and to the fluorescence of compounds presumably produced by the cells and secreted into the culture medium. An increase in the specific cellular fluorescence during the course of the experiments indicated a shift in metabolism that favored the production of PHB.     

Plant traits as indicators: loss or gain of information?

In this issue, Kachergis et al. provide a timely comparison of taxonomic vs functional group‐based indicators for managed steppes. The authors demonstrate how functional indicators result in only a marginal loss of taxonomic information while potentially covering community aspects not accounted for by taxa. To expand these ideas, specific plant traits could complement taxonomic indicators to achieve multiple monitoring goals.     

Starter culture for the production of ‘soyiru’

Bacillus subtilis or licheniformis facilitated production of soyiru with the best results being given by using both together. Fermentation employing Streptococcus enterococcus was unsuccessful.H.A. Suberu is with the Department of Biological Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria. J.A. Akinyanju is with the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria.     

Pollen as a vehicle for the escape of engineered genes?

Recent studies of pollen exchange between neighboring populations of plants have shown that interpopulation gene flow can proceed over much greater distances and at higher rates than hitherto believed. This means that the escape of engineered genes from crop plants to their wild relatives is not only possible, but also likely. The development of containment strategies, such as extra modifications for increased self-fertilization and decreased pollen longevity in engineered crop plants, will be necessary to safeguard against such escape.     

The use of AlbuMAX II(®) as a blood or serum alternative for the culture of Helicobacter pylori

Background: Growth of Helicobacter pyloriin vitro depends on supplementation of the medium with blood or serum. However, these supplements often require frozen storage and can show batch‐to‐batch variation, resulting in differences in bacterial growth. In this study, we introduce the use of a commercially available, lipid‐rich supplement called AlbuMAX II^® (Gibco BRL, Grand Island, NY, USA) for use as a serum/blood replacement for H. pylori culture. Materials and Methods: The growth of H. pylori on solid and liquid media was examined by comparing growth after supplementation with horse blood, fetal calf serum, β‐cyclodextrin or AlbuMAX II^® (Gibco BRL). Human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cellular responses to H. pylori were measured by NF‐κB luciferase assays and IL‐8 ELISA. Results: We show that the growth of H. pylori on both solid and liquid media containing AlbuMAX II^® (Gibco BRL) were comparable to levels obtained on blood agar or liquid media supplemented with serum. Growth was consistently higher in media supplemented with AlbuMAX II^® (Gibco BRL) than media containing β‐cyclodextrin. Furthermore, bacteria grown in AlbuMAX II^® (Gibco BRL) induced proinflammatory responses in AGS cells. Conclusions: AlbuMAX II^® (Gibco BRL) can be used as a serum/blood replacement for the cultivation of H. pylori in solid and liquid media. This medium could be useful for an improved understanding of H. pylori metabolism or for antigen production. Furthermore, AlbuMAX II^® (Gibco BRL) may be suitable for use in remote locations, particularly in areas where frozen storage of serum may be a problem.     

Flax for oil or fibre? Morphometric analysis of flax seeds and new aspects of flax cultivation in Late Neolithic wetland settlements in southwest Germany

The transition from the early to the middle phase of the Late Neolithic (fourth–third millennium b.c.) is closely connected with the term “secondary products revolution”, which involves the adoption of animal traction and an increased production of rendered animal commodities such as wool and dairy products. Based on measurements of Linum usitatissimum L. (flax) seeds and their abundance in 32 wetland settlements in southwest Germany, we presume that the introduction of a new flax variety, maybe a better flax for fibre, and the intensification of flax cultivation were also a part of this process. The morphometric analysis shows that flax seed sizes in the early phase of the Late Neolithic (4000–3400 cal. b.c.) differ significantly from those of the middle and latest phase (3400–2400 cal. b.c.).     

Parasites of the superorganism: are they indicators of ecosystem health?

The concept of ecosystem health is derived from analogies with human health, which subsequently leads to the implication that the ecosystem has organismal properties, a 'superorganism' in the Clementsian sense. Its application and usefulness has been the subject of a contentious debate; yet, the term 'ecosystem health' has captured the public's imagination and woven its way into the current lexicon, even incorporated into public policy. However, the application of parasites as bioindicators of ecosystem health poses a curious conundrum. Perceptions of parasites range from mild distaste to sheer disgust among the general public, the media, environmental managers and non-parasitologists in the scientific community. Nevertheless, the biological nature of parasitism incorporates natural characteristics that are informative and useful for environmental management. The helminths in particular have evolved elegant means to ensure their transmission, often relying on complex life cycle interactions that include a variety of invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. The assemblage of these diverse parasites within a host organism potentially reflect that host's trophic position within the food web as well as the presence in the ecosystem of any other organisms that participate in the various parasite life cycles. Perturbations in ecosystem structure and function that affect food web topology will also impact upon parasite transmission, thus affecting parasite species abundance and composition. As such, parasite populations and communities are useful indicators of environmental stress, food web structure and biodiversity. In addition, there may be useful other means to utilise parasitic organisms based on their biology and life histories such as suites or guilds that may be effective bioindicators of particular forms of environmental degradation. The challenge for parasitology is to convince resource managers and fellow scientists that parasites are a natural part of all ecosystems, each species being a potentially useful information unit, and that healthy ecosystems have healthy parasites.     

Mouse as the measure of man?

The humble house mouse's cohabitation with humans has been noted since the birth of agriculture, about 10 000 years ago, in the fertile flood plains of the Middle East. In recent times, however, the mouse has been elevated from pest to model for the study of human health and disease. Recent genomics and genetics initiatives will ensure the continued growth of the house mouse as a disease model.