Conidium production by insect pathogenic fungi on commercially available agars

AIMS: Conidium production by three species of insect pathogenic fungi, Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana and Verticillium lecanii, was assessed on various depths and types of commercially available agars. METHODS: Conidium production was assessed after 14 d of growth on commercially available media as well as at three different agar depths. RESULTS: Metarhizium anisopliae and B. bassiana isolates showed greatest conidium production on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at a depth of 2 mm, whereas V. lecanii showed greatest conidium production on yeast extract-peptone-dextrose agar (YPDA) regardless of agar depth. Optimum conidium production for M. anisopliae and B. bassiana was not only dependent upon the isolate used but also on the medium type and agar depth. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Conidia are the infective structures for insect pathogenic fungi and this study suggests a rationale basis for consistent conidium production for laboratory and commercial practices.     

Evaluation of commercially available heart rate monitors.

The accuracy and tracking ability of nine commercially available heart rate monitors were assessed. The heart rate of 16 young healthy men was continuously monitored by a single-lead electrocardiograph while they exercised on a stationary bicycle ergometer. Readings were obtained from the devices during exercise. The devices that measured the cardiac electrical potential with a three-electrode system or that incorporated a light transmission device attached to the earlobe were the most accurate and provided suitable monitoring of the heart rate during exercise.     

The impact of commercially available purinergic ligands on purinergic signalling research

Pannexin1 is a prime candidate to represent an ATP release channel. The pannexin1 channel can be activated by extracellular ATP through purinergic receptors P2X7 or P2Y. Recent studies have shown that the Pannexin1 channel is inhibited by its own permeant ion, ATP, and also by P2X7 receptor agonists and antagonists. However, the dose dependence of this inhibition indicated that significant inhibition was prominent at ATP concentrations higher than required for activation of purinergic receptors, including P2X7 and P2Y2. The inhibitory effect of ATP is largely decreased when R75 in the first extracellular loop of Pannexin1 is mutated to alanine, indicating that ATP regulates this channel presumably through binding. To further investigate the structural property of the putative ATP binding site, we performed alanine-scanning mutagenesis of the extracellular loops of pannexin1. Mutations on W74, S237, S240, I247 and L266 in the extracellular loops 1 and 2 severely impaired the inhibitory effect of BzATP, indicating that they might be the essential amino acids in the putative binding site. Mutations on R75, S82, S93, L94, D241, S249, P259 and I267 moderately (≥50%) decreased BzATP sensitivity, suggesting their supporting roles in the binding. Mutations of other residues did not change the BzATP potency compared to wild-type except for some nonfunctional mutants. These data demonstrate that several amino acid residues on the extracellular loops of Pannexin1 mediate ATP sensitivity. Cells expressing mutant Panx1W74A exhibited an enhanced release of ATP, consistent with the removal of a negative feedback loop controlling ATP release.     

Characterization of five commercially available samples of acridine yellow

Commercial samples of acridine yellow, all labeled C.I. 46025, have been analyzed by thin layer chromatography, UV and visible light spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and photodynamic efficiency in the inactivation of bacteriophage phi X174. Three types of sample were clearly delineated: i) true acridine yellow (3,6-diamino-2,7-dimethylacridine) whose spectral and chromatographic properties are very close to those of proflavine (3,6-diaminoacridine); ii) a pure but different dye tentatively identified as euchrysine (3,6-diamino-2,7,9-trimethylacridine), since on the basis of mass spectral data, it contains an additional methyl group not fixed on the amino groups; and iii) a complex dye with its own special properties and whose main yellow component has a molecular weight and a mass spectrum compatible with an overall formula of C16H16N2S. The three types of dye could be distinguished on the basis of simple tests. Acridine yellow is photodynamically almost as efficient as proflavine, but the two other dyes are very poor sensitizers.     

Comparison of acute absorption of commercially available chromium supplements

Chromium (Cr) supplements are available as picolinate, nicotinate or chloride (the latter primarily in multivitamin-mineral supplements). The picolinate form has been reported to be the best absorbed and most efficacious, but some reports question which form has superior absorption. The present study examined acute Cr absorption, based on 24h urinary Cr values, for picolinate, two types of nicotinate, and chloride in young adult, non-overweight females. College-aged women were given 200 microg of Cr as each of the four supplement types in random order accompanied by a small standardized meal, separated by at least a week washout. Cr picolinate produced significantly higher 24h urinary Cr than either of two nicotinate supplements or Cr chloride given in a multivitamin-mineral supplement. This difference was seen for absolute values of the urinary Cr and for percent increases. In conclusion, based on an indirect measure of acute absorption, Cr picolinate was superior to three other Cr complexes commonly sold as supplements.     

Compressive and shear properties of commercially available polyurethane foams

BACKGROUND: The shear properties of rigid polyurethane (PU-R) foams, routinely used to simulate cancellous bone, are not well characterized. METHOD OF APPROACH: The present assessment of the shear and compressive properties of four grades of Sawbones "Rigid cellular" PU-R foam tested 20 mm gauge diameter dumb-bell specimens in torsion and under axial loading. RESULTS: Shear moduli ranged from 13.3 to 99.7 MPa, shear strengths from 0.7 MPa to 4.2 MPa. Compressive yield strains varied little with density while shear yield strains had peak values with "200 kgm-3" grade. CONCLUSIONS: PU-R foams may be used to simulate the elastic but not failure properties of cancellous bone.     

Effect of commercially available egg cures on the survival of juvenile salmonids

There is some concern that incidental consumption of eggs cured with commercially available cures for the purpose of sport fishing causes mortality in juvenile salmon. We evaluated this by feeding juvenile spring Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead (O. mykiss) with eggs cured with one of five commercially available cures. We observed significant levels of mortality in both pre-smolts and smolts. Depending on the experiment, 2, 3, or 4 of the cures were associated with mortality. Mortality tended to be higher in the smolts than in the parr, but there was no clear species effect. The majority of mortality occurred within the first 10 d of feeding. Removal of sodium sulfite from the cure significantly reduced the level of mortality. Soaking the eggs prior to feeding did not reduce mortality. We observed a clear relationship between the amount of cured egg consumed each day and the survival time. We conclude that consumption of eggs cured with sodium sulfite has the potential to cause mortality in juvenile steelhead and Chinook salmon in the wild.     

Protein kinase activity in commercially available crystalline yeast alcohol dehydrogenase

Commercially available crystalline yeast alcohol dehydrogenase contained protein kinase activity. Casein and phosvitin were readily phosphorylated, but whole calf thymus histone was not. The protein kinase activity was inhibited by KCl, was not stimulated by cyclic AMP and could be separated from the alcohol dehydrogenase activity by sucrose density centrifugation.     

Ames test evaluation of two commercially available zero-valent nickel compounds

Zero-valent nickel compounds are organometallic chemicals that are used in synthetic applications and may also occur as intermediates in nickel-catalyzed hydrogenation reactions used in food processing. Few studies have been performed on their possible genotoxic actions. We have tested two commercially available examples of this class of compounds. Solubility and stability were examined. Mutagenicity testing did not confirm a previous report that bis(1,5-cyclooctadiene)nickel is positive in the Ames assay. No stimulation of lipid peroxidation was observed in studies of bovine erythrocytes exposed in vitro. Our results do not indicate that zero-valent nickel compounds have genotoxic effects.     

Use of commercially available monoclonal antibodies for immunoenzyme double staining

Summary An immunoenzyme double-staining method for the simultaneous detection of two cellular epitopes, using commercially available mouse monoclonal antibodies, is described. The method employs a combination of the suppression of endogenous biotin and two successive indirect techniques with a blocking step in between. The first indirect method involves an unlabelled monoclonal antibody followed by an alkaline phosphatase-conjugated goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin. After a blocking step with normal mouse serum, the second indirect method is applied using a biotinylated monoclonal antibody followed by the visualization of this antibody by avidin-biotinylated peroxidase complex (ABC) or rabbit anti-biotin and peroxidase-conjugated swine anti-rabbit immunoglobulin in successive steps. Using these methods in combination with the introduction of dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate and tetramethylbenzidine as chromogens for peroxidase activity, two cellular epitopes could be distinguished clearly in tissue sections by the green-and violet-stained peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase activities, respectively. The expression of two epitopes on the same cellular constituent is outlined by the coappearance of both enzyme activities as a bluish-purple colour. This method allows for the simultaneous identification, localization and enumeration of two cellular epitopes. These can serve as parameters for a number of pathological processes.     

Structural determinants of sphingolipid recognition by commercially available anti-ceramide antibodies

The sphingolipid mediator ceramide is involved in cellular processes such as apoptosis, differentiation, responses to cytokines, and stress responses. Experimental evidence suggests that the intracellular location of ceramide may be a key factor in determining its ultimate cellular effects. One approach to ceramide localization is the use of recently developed anti-ceramide antibodies for immunocytochemical studies. Two such commercial preparations are now available; we sought to compare and contrast their specificity for ceramide and/or other cellular lipids. By using lipid overlay assays and a diverse panel of sphingolipids, we were able to delineate the specificity and thus, the utility of these reagents. Our results indicate that one of these anti-ceramide preparations is quite specific for ceramide and dihydroceramide, whereas the other preparation recognizes dihydroceramide, phosphatidylcholine, and sphingomyelin. Furthermore, through the use of chemically modified ceramides in similar assays, we were able to determine some structural determinants of lipid recognition by both of these reagents.     

Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius with commercially available selective media

Aims: Commercially available selective media for methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were tested for the detection and isolation of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP). Methods and Results: Five different screening agars [mannitol salt agar with oxacillin and BD BBL? Chromagar? MRSA (BD Diagnostics); chromID? MRSA agar (bioMérieux); Oxacillin resistance screening agar base (ORSAB); and Brilliance MRSA agar (Oxoid)] were analysed for the detection of MRSP. Bacteria that may be isolated together with MRSP and may grow on the screening agars were included in the study to determine possible interference with the growth of MRSP. MRSP grew well on all selective media except on BD BBL? Chromagar? MRSA (BD Diagnostics) and chromID? MRSA agar (bioMérieux), on which a low to moderate growth rate was noted. Conclusions: ORSAB (Oxoid) and Brilliance MRSA agar (Oxoid) are most suitable for the detection and isolation of MRSP from clinical material. Significance and Impact of the Study: The importance of MRSP in veterinary medicine is increasing. Diagnostic systems are needed to detect MRSP carrier as soon as possible. This study provides information about selected MRSA screening agars for the detection of MRSP to the clinical microbiologists.     

Growth characteristics of microorganisms on commercially available animal-free alternatives to tryptic soy medium

The growth characteristics of a range of bacteria and fungi that are routinely used in quality control practices were compared for two representative vegetable-based tryptic soy formulations. All of the representative microorganisms grew well on the vegetable-based media and the media provided suitable recoveries of the organisms following simulated storage. Subtle phenotypic changes were observed between cultures grown on different media, but these did not significantly change the strain identification.     

Evaluation of the specificity of four commercially available antibodies to alpha-syntrophin

Alpha-syntrophin (SNTA) is an adaptor protein that regulates several signaling pathways. To analyze expression of SNTA immunoblot assays must be performed. Here, the specificity of four commercially available SNTA antibodies has been evaluated in immunoblot experiments using liver tissues of wild-type and SNTA-deficient mice. While one of the antibodies reacts with SNTA, two antibodies specifically recognize beta 2 syntrophin (SNTB2). The antigen detected by the fourth antibody has not been identified but is different from SNTA and SNTB2. Therefore, only one of the four tested antibodies is appropriate to analyze SNTA protein levels by immunoblot.