Differences in polyols content among fermentations of the same must with several yeasts

Summary Changes in polyols contents of must after fermentation with different yeasts were determined by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). A decrease in sorbitol, mannitol and inositol as well as the formation of erythritol, arabitol and xylitol were observed in all samples. Maximum decrease in sorbitol and mannitol was detected when flor yeast was employed.     

The subplacenta of the red-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta leporina L)

Background  

Hystricognath rodents have a lobed placenta, comprising labyrinthine exchange areas and interlobular trophoblast. These correspond to the labyrinthine and spongy zones of other rodent placentae. Beneath them, however, is a structure unique to hystricognath rodents called the subplacenta. We here describe the subplacenta of the red-rumped agouti and examine the possible functional correlates of this structure.     

Platinum drugs and neurotoxicity: effects on intracellular calcium homeostasis

[Pt(O,O′-acac)(γ-acac)(DMS)] (PtAcacDMS) is a new platinum compound showing low reactivity with nucleobases and specific reactivity with sulfur ligands intracellularly. It induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells, but appears to be less neurotoxic to the developing cerebellum than cisplatin (cisPt). The aim of this study was to assess the neurotoxicity of platinum compounds on calcium homeostasis in the dentate gyrus and Cornu Ammonis regions of the hippocampal formation during rat postnatal development. Two intracellular calcium homeostasis systems were taken for measurement, calbindin, a calcium buffer protein, and a plasma membrane calcium ATPase (PMCA1). The platinum compounds showed different effects on these markers in the two areas. One day after injection (PD11), cisPt decreased calbindin immunoreactivity and PMCA1 labeling in both regions; at PD17, the downregulation of PMCA1 persisted. Instead, PtAcacDMS produced varying effects on calbindin immunoreactivity in the two regions at PD11 and PD17; but in all cases, the changes incurred in calbindin immunoreactivity were counterbalanced by changes produced in PMCA1 expression. In conclusion, PtAcacDMS seems to affect calcium homeostasis in the central nervous system differently than cisPt. Both the platinum compounds act early to alter the calbindin buffering system. However, the most important difference between cisPt and PtAcacDMS is that, in vivo, the latter acts early to stimulate calcium efflux from nerve cells as reflected by its effect on PMCA1. The rapid onset of an activated calcium pump appears to be essential to cope with the excessive intracellular calcium concentration stemming from the downregulation of calbindin which could damage neuron function and morphology.     

BROMINE IN THE CUTICLE OF POLYSIPHONIA NIGRESCENS: LOCALIZATION AND CONTENT1

The cuticles and chloroplasts of young and old fronds of Polysiphonia nigrescens (Huds.) Grev. were analysed by quantitative X-ray microanalysis for their content of bromine. Cuticles of old fronds contained 1.7 ± 0.14% bromine while those of young ones contained only 0.94 ± 0.22% bromine. The bromine content of the chloroplasts showed considerable variations between individual chloroplasts, but was found not to increase with age. Young fronds contained four separate layers in the cuticle when observed under the electron microscope. In the old fronds three of these layers disappeared while the remaining one became thick and very electron dense.