Microscopic observation of human hairs infected with Microsporum ferrugineum

Human hairs infected with Microsporum ferrugineum were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy to obtain information on the parasitic form. The fungus invaded the hair filaments and developed hyphae between the hair cuticles and cortex. Spheroids of arthroconidia were frequently observed to invade the hair follicle. A mosaic sheath of massive spheroids was observed around the hair filaments. The smooth-walled arthroconidia with chitinous surfaces were single, spherical or subspherical particles of 2.0-2.5 X 2.5-3.5 microns, and 2-celled, gourd-shaped (constricted at the septum) particles of 2.5-3.0 X 5.0-7.0 microns.     

Proteochondroitin sulfate synthesized in cartilages induced in vivo and in vitro by bone matrix gelatin

Implanted allogeneic demineralized bone matrix gelatin induced sequential development of cartilage and bone in the recipient rat muscle tissue. Proteoglycans of the implants labeled in vivo with [³⁵S]sulfate at different stages of development were analyzed by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The major proteoglycan synthesized in day-5 implant, just prior to onset of chondrogenesis, was a dermatan sulfate-containing proteoglycan with relatively slow sedimentation rate. Additionally, a small amount of a faster sedimenting component could be detected. The faster sedimenting proteoglycan, in which chondroitin 4-sulfate accounted for 85% of total radioactivity, became predominant in day-10 sample when cartilage formation was maximal. By day 30, when cartilage had been replaced by newly formed bone, the synthesis of this faster sedimenting component had ceased. A similar, if not identical, proteoglycan was found to be a major one synthesized by the in vitro-induced cartilage. This proteoglycan was smaller in overall size and shorter in length of its chondroitin sulfate chains than a major proteoglycan component obtained from neonatal rat epiphyseal cartilage. Concurrent with these changes in proteoglycan type, there appeared to be a change in collagen type, since type II collagen, in addition to type I collagen, was synthesized in day-10 implant. These results indicate that the proteoglycan can be used as a molecular marker for chondrogenesis by bone matrix gelatin.     

Transgenic cucumber fruits that produce elevated level of an anti-aging superoxide dismutase

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) plays an important role in cellular defense against oxidative stress in aerobic organisms. To generate cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) fruits producing high yields of SOD for an anti-aging cosmetic material as a plant bioreactor, the CuZnSOD cDNA (mSOD1) from cassava was introduced into cucumber fruits by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation using the ascorbate oxidase promoter with high expression in fruits. The bialaphos-resistant shoots were selected on medium containing MS basal salts, 2 mg l^–1 BA, 0.1 mg l^–1 IAA, 300 mg l^–1 claforan, and 2 mg l^–1 bialaphos. After 6 weeks of culture on the selection medium, the shoots were transferred to MS medium containing 1 mg l^–1 IAA, 300 mg l^–1 claforan, 2 mg l^–1 bialaphos to induce roots. Southern blot analysis confirmed that the mSOD1 gene was properly integrated into the nuclear genomes of three cucumber plants tested. The mSOD1 gene was highly expressed in the transgenic cucumber fruits, whereas it was expressed at a low level in the transgenic leaves. The SOD specific activity (units/mg protein) in transgenic fruits was approximately 3 times higher than in those of non-transgenic plants.     

The uptake and the transport of14C-labeled epibrassinolide in intact seedlings of cucumber and wheat

The uptake and the transport of exogenously applied epibrassinolide (EBR) in seedlings of cucumber and wheat were examined by autoradiography using¹⁴C-EBR.¹⁴C-EBR was applied to roots, young and mature leaves, and the shoot apex. When applied to roots,¹⁴C-EBR was readily taken up and was swiftly transported throughout both plant species. When¹⁴C-EBR was applied to the adaxial surface of a young cucumber leaf, it was readily taken up, but was very slowly transported. In cucumber leaves,¹⁴C-EBR was transported throughout the treated leaf after 3 days of treatment, and then it was transported to upper leaves from the treated leaf after 7 days. Some 6.3% of applied¹⁴C-EBR was transported to the newly expanded leaves. In wheat leaves,¹⁴C-EBR was transported only in the apical direction from the treated spot after 3 days of treatment, but it was not transported from the treated leaf to the other leaves or organs even after 7 days. Some 1.3% of applied¹⁴C-EBR was transported to the tip area of the treated leaf. These results indicate that exogenous EBR applied to intact plants is acropetally transported.     

Protective effect of blue-light shield eyewear for adults against light pollution from self-luminous devices used at night

We investigated sleep quality and melatonin in 12 adults who wore blue-light shield or control eyewear 2 hours before sleep while using a self-luminous portable device, and assessed visual quality for the two eyewear types. Overnight melatonin secretion was significantly higher after using the blue-light shield (P < 0.05) than with the control eyewear. Sleep efficacy and sleep latency were significantly superior for wearers of the blue-light shield (P < 0.05 for both), and this group reported greater sleepiness during portable device use compared to those using the control eyewear. Participants rated the blue-light shield as providing acceptable visual quality.     

Occurrence of toxicity among protease, amylase, and color mutants of a nontoxic soy sauce koji mold.

A soy sauce koji mold, Aspergillus flavus var. columnaris Raper and Fennel (ATCC 44310), was treated with UV irradiation to obtain mutant strains possessing high protease activities, high amylase activities, and light-colored conidia. Selected mutant strains were tested for toxicity, and some were found acutely toxic to weanling rats, although all were negative for aflatoxin production.     

Autolysis of Bacillus subtilis induced by monovalent cations

Summary Resting cell suspensions of seven Nocardia species catalyzed the production of 10-hydroxystearic acid from oleic acid. Nocardia cholesterolicum NRRL 5767 gave a good yield with optimum conditions at pH 6.5 and 40°C. Yields exceeding 90% can be obtained within 6 h with 0.1 g cells (dry weight) and 178 mg oleic acid in 10 ml of 0.05 M sodium phosphate buffer (pH 6.5). In addition, minor amounts of 10-ketostearic acid were formed as a by-product. The reaction proceeded via hydration of the double bond as shown by labeling experiments with deuterium oxide and ¹⁸O-labeled water. The system was specific for fatty acids with cis unsaturation at the 9 position.A part of this paper was presented at a poster session at the World Conference on Biotechnology for the Fats and Oils Industry, Hamburg, Federal Republic of Germany, September 1987, and at the 194th National American Chemical Society Meeting, New Orleans, September 1987RetiredThe mention of firm names or trade products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by USDA over other firms or similar products not mentioned     

Correction to: Resistance Mechanism in a Terbinafine-Resistant Strain of Microsporum canis

Mycopathologia - In the initial online publication, the name of author Hock Siew Han was given incorrectly as Han Hock Siew. The original article has been corrected.