Some significant differences in wall chemistry among four commercial Agaricus bisporus strains

Significant differences in gross wall chemical composition were detected in four commercial Agaricus bisporus strains. All were grown under the same conditions and their walls prepared by a mild method of breakage. A more detailed analysis of the wall fractions, isolated by means of their distinct solubilities, also showed striking structural differences among the four strains studied. The detected differences, not only in the overall composition of the wall but also in the polysaccharide structure, could assist in the characterization of strains and/or varieties of the commercial basidiomycete A. bisporus.     

Evolution of the nucleotide sequence of influenza virus RNA segment 7 during drift of the H3N2 subtype

The complete genetic information contained in the influenza virus RNA segment 7 of the A/Bangkok/ $\text{1}\text{79}$ (H3N2) strain has been cloned by in vitro synthesis of the complementary dsDNA and its insertion into plasmid pBR322. The nucleotide sequence of the viral RNA segment has been determined from the cDNA insert. It is 1027 nucleotides long, and contains two open reading frames, as shown for other influenza virus strains. When compared with the previously published sequence for the A/Udorn/72 (H3N2) strain, 15 nucleotide exchanges are observed, most of them silent mutations, and only two causing amino acid changes in each of the M1 and M2 protein sequences.     

Induction of ion transport in rat heart mitochondria by fluorescamine

This report describes experimental results which show that the fluorescent reagent fluorescamine induces mitochondrial energy-independent swelling when the incubation media contain the chloride salts of the cations Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, and Cs+. The reaction depends on the concentration of the dye and is inhibited by Mg2+, and its extension is closely related to the amount of the primary amino groups titrated by fluorescamine. Analysis of the labeled inner membrane in polyacrylamide gel shows that the amount of aminofluorescamine complex is lower when mitochondria are in the presence of Mg2+.     

Mechanisms towards compensation of long-term haemopoietic injury in mice after 5 Gy irradiation:In vivo andin vitro enhancement of superoxide anion production by granulocytes

This paper analyzes the long-term (6 and 12 months) function of mouse granulocytes after total body irradiation with a single dose (5 Gy) of X-rays. Superoxide anion production has been investigated in granulocytes from peripheral blood, and also in those harvested from long term bone marrow cultures, with the aim of correlating the environmental damage induced by radiation with the functional properties of granulocytes. Anin vivo andin vitro enhancement of superoxide anion production and protein levels in granulocytes from irradiated mice is described. The presence of some colony stimulating factor in the supernatant of cultures from irradiated mice could play an important role in the priming of granulocytes.     

Effect of Cattle on Salmonella Carriage,Diversity and Antimicrobial Resistance in Free-Ranging Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) in Northeastern Spain

Salmonella is distributed worldwide and is a pathogen of economic and public health importance. As a multi-host pathogen with a long environmental persistence, it is a suitable model for the study of wildlife-livestock interactions. In this work, we aim to explore the spill-over of Salmonella between free-ranging wild boar and livestock in a protected natural area in NE Spain and the presence of antimicrobial resistance. Salmonella prevalence, serotypes and diversity were compared between wild boars, sympatric cattle and wild boars from cattle-free areas. The effect of age, sex, cattle presence and cattle herd size on Salmonella probability of infection in wild boars was explored by means of Generalized Linear Models and a model selection based on the Akaike’s Information Criterion. Prevalence was higher in wild boars co-habiting with cattle (35.67%, CI 95% 28.19–43.70) than in wild boar from cattle-free areas (17.54%, CI 95% 8.74–29.91). Probability of a wild boar being a Salmonella carrier increased with cattle herd size but decreased with the host age. Serotypes Meleagridis, Anatum and Othmarschen were isolated concurrently from cattle and sympatric wild boars. Apart from serotypes shared with cattle, wild boars appear to have their own serotypes, which are also found in wild boars from cattle-free areas (Enteritidis, Mikawasima, 4:b:- and 35:r:z35). Serotype richness (diversity) was higher in wild boars co-habiting with cattle, but evenness was not altered by the introduction of serotypes from cattle. The finding of a S. Mbandaka strain resistant to sulfamethoxazole, streptomycin and chloramphenicol and a S. Enteritidis strain resistant to ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid in wild boars is cause for public health concern.     

Ultrastructural localization of heavy metals in the extraradical mycelium and spores of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, obligate symbionts of most plant species, are able to accumulate heavy metals, thereby, protecting plants from metal toxicity. In this study, the ultrastructural localization of Zn, Cu, and Cd in the extraradical mycelium and spores of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices grown in monoxenic cultures was investigated. Zinc, Cu, or Cd was applied to the extraradical mycelium to final concentrations of 7.5, 5.0, or 0.45 mmol/L, respectively. Samples were collected at time 0, 8 h, and 7 days after metal application and were prepared for rapid freezing and freeze substitution. Metal content in different subcellular locations (wall, cytoplasm, and vacuoles), both in hyphae and spores, was determined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. In all treatments and fungal structures analysed, heavy metals accumulated mainly in the fungal cell wall and in the vacuoles, while minor changes in metal concentrations were detected in the cytoplasm. Incorporation of Zn into the fungus occurred during the first 8 h after metal addition with no subsequent accumulation. On the other hand, Cu steadily accumulated in the spore vacuoles over time, whereas Cd steadily accumulated in the hyphal vacuoles. These results suggest that binding of metals to the cell walls and compartmentalization in vacuoles may be essential mechanisms for metal detoxification.     

Repair of UVB-Damaged Skin by the Antioxidant Sulphated Flavone Glycoside Thalassiolin B Isolated from the Marine Plant Thalassia testudinum Banks ex König

Daily topical application of the aqueous ethanolic extract of the marine sea grass, Thalassia testudinum, on mice skin exposed to UVB radiation resulted in a dose-dependent recovery of the skin macroscopic alterations over a 6-day period. Maximal effect (90%) occurred at a dose of 240 μg/cm², with no additional effects at higher doses. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the plant extract resulted in the isolation of thalassiolin B (1). Topical application of 1 (240 μg/cm²) markedly reduces skin UVB-induced damage. In addition, thalassiolin B scavenged 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical with an EC₅₀ = 100 μg/ml. These results suggest that thalassiolin B is responsible for the skin-regenerating effects of the crude extract of T. testudinum. Erik L. Regalado and María Rodríguez have contributed equally to this work and should be considered as first authors.     

Use of liquid nitrogen during storage in a cell and tissue bank: contamination risk and effect on the detectability of potential viral contaminants

Cryopreservation is widely used for banking cells and tissues intended for transplantation. Liquid nitrogen provides a very stable ultra-low temperature environment. Thus, it is used for longterm storage. Unlike the exhaustive microbiological monitoring of the environmental conditions during tissue processing, storage is not usually considered as a critical point of potential contamination risk in professional standards for cell and tissue banking. We have analysed the presence of microbial agents inside our nitrogen tanks. We have mainly detected environmental and water-borne bacteria and fungi. In addition, we have studied the effect of liquid nitrogen exposure on virus detectability. Only differences for hepatitis C virus RNA were observed. Measures for contamination risk reduction during storage must be mandatory in cell and tissue banking.