Inter-laboratory validation of the measurement of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) after various lengths of frozen storage

Background  

Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels are used clinically to evaluate infertility, pituitary and gonadal disorders. With increased frequency of research collaborations across institutions, it is essential that inter-laboratory validation is addressed.     

Gene transfer into intact vertebrate embryos.

Intact chick embryos at 40 h incubation were transfected in vivo with chimeric vectors expressing chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) under different promoter sequences. The cationic lipid, dioctadecylamidoglycyl spermine (DOGS) used as the transfecting agent had no noticeable toxic effects on embryonic development. CAT activity was monitored 48 h post-transfection on homogenates of embryos dissected free of all annexes. Of the various constructs tested, those containing the AP-1 response element linked to CAT (TRE-tk-CAT) gave high expression and consistent enzyme responses within groups. Co-transfection experiments in which embryos were exposed simultaneously to a CAT vector containing the cAMP response element and to a vector expressing the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A showed that the promoters of the introduced genes can be regulated by their respective transacting factors. This method may therefore represent a general tool for introducing genes into intact vertebrate embryos at precise developmental times.     

Über die Entgiftung von Schwefelsäure in Kulturen von Aspergillus niger

Zusammenfassung In Kulturen von Aspergillus niger mit Sulfat als Kaliumquelle verschwindet der mit Barium fällbare Schwefel zum Teil, bei hoher Zuckergabe bis zu 60%; ähnliches ist bei Zusatz von freier Schwefelsäure der Fall. Bei Versorgung mit Kaliumchlorid war ein Verschwinden fällbarer Chlorionen nicht nachzuweisen.Es wird erörtert, ob die Festlegung der SO₄-Ionen mit dem Kaliumstoffwechsel zusammenhängen könnte.Mit Beginn der Autolyse, bei Aufhören der Mycelbildung, werden verhältnismäßig große Mengen des organisch gebundenen Schwefels der Kulturflüssigkeit vom Mycel aufgenommen bzw. dort weiter verarbeitet. Es wird darauf hingewiesen, daß sich möglicherweise die Entstehung der organischen Schwefelverbindungen der Humussubstanzen im Boden in ähnlicher Weise vollziehen könnte.     

Identification of fitness determinants in Enterococcus faecalis by differential proteomics

Enterococcus (E.) faecalis is found as commensal in healthy humans, in a variety of fermented foods. It can serve as probiotic but also as pathogen causing endocarditis, bacteremia and urinary tract infections. We have employed a proteomic study with E. faecalis strain OG1RF under different growth conditions and in contact to mouse intestinal cells to identify novel latent and adaptive fitness determinants. These relate to changes in catabolic pathways (BudA), protein biosynthesis (AsnS), cellular surface biosynthesis (RmlA) and regulatory mechanisms (OmpR). This knowledge can be used to derive novel evidence-based targets, which can be used to further elucidate gene expression changes enhancing pathogenicity or fitness in a commensal strain and possibly delineate this species into groups of higher and lower risk for applications in a food or a medical context versus improved treatment strategies of the so far hard to cure diseases.