Cryopreserved neurons of a mollusc are capable of morphological differentiation in culture in vitro

It was shown in culture in vitro that neurons isolated from the cryopreserved brain of adult molluscs Lymnaea stagnalis L. retain viability. Isolated brains were frozen in liquid nitrogen vapors at a rate of 400-500 degrees C/min in the presence of 2 M dimethylsulfoxide. The samples were then plunged into liquid nitrogen and stored from 1 month to 2 years. Upon thawing and removing the cryoprotectant, the neurons were isolated from the brain and then introduced into a cellular culture in vitro. It was shown that the thawed neurons were capable of regenerating new nerve processes similar to those formed by unfrozen neurons in the control.     

Disease development of Pythium root rot in bulbous Iris and Crocus

Iris bulbs and Crocus corms were planted at two planting dates in sandy soil infested with Pythium spp. At monthly intervals during the growing season root rot infection was assessed over 3 consecutive years and disease development curves were predicted for both crops. The disease development was remarkably different for Iris and Crocus and the curve shape was determined by the crop rather than by the Pythium species. Planting date had a significant effect on disease development in both crops. No correlation was found between disease development and soil temperature.     

Sporogenesis, antibiotic biosynthesis and the systematic position of Fusidium coccineum

Cytomorphological study of the wild and isogenic improved strains of F. coccineum revealed that with increasing of the antibiotic potency the character of the strain sporulation changed towards predominant formation of the spore "heads" which is characteristic of the sporogenesis of the genus Acremonium. These data allow one to revise the systematic position of the strains of F. coccineum and to classify them according to Gamsas belonging to Acremonium designated as Acremonium fusidioides. The criteria of the highly potent strains of this organisms are the following: formation of the spore "heads", changes in the event sequence during sporulation, decreasing of the spore index L/B with an increase in the strain potency. These criteria may be used in further improvement on the organism.     

Ultrastructure of the cells and DNA synthesis in skeletal muscle regeneration. A study of the regeneration of the frog sartorius muscle by an electron microscopic autoradiographic method

The ultrastructure of cells of the regenerating frog's sartorius muscle and their capacity to synthesize DNA was studied by means of 3H-thymidine (3HT) electron microscope autoradiography. On the 8-17th post injury (p.i.) days, 2 hours following 3HT administration, only mononuclear cells were seen labeled, the myotube nuclei incorporating no 3HT. Along with the endothelial cells, fibroblasts, phagocytes and cells identified conventionally as myoblasts, satellite cells examined from both necrotic and viable parts of injured myofibers were labeled. No myoblast sequestration from the injured myofibers occurred. By the 13-15th p.i. days, numerous myoblast-like cells are accumulated beneath the glycocalix layer covering the free ends of myotubes which are rich in ribosomes and display an active sarcomerogenesis. Some of these myoblast-like cells become labeled after 3HT pulse. The 13 day p.i. regenerates examined 72 hours following 3HT injection display labeling in numerous myotube nuclei. This is indicative of the myoblast fusion, which is believed to play a principal role in the regenerative somatic myogenesis. Within the myonuclei adjacent to the areas of the regeneration, membranous and/or fibrillar structures of an unknown origin were frequently observed.     

Age-Related Changes in the Yeast Component of the Drosophila melanogaster Microbiome

Microbiology - Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies are an important model for studying the multifaceted interactions between a multicellular organism and its microbiome. The nature of these...     

Oligomeric organization of recombinant human neurotrophins expressed in Escherichia coli cells

Genes of human neurotrophins NGF, BDNF, NT-3 were cloned, and the corresponding proteins and their fragments were expressed in Escherichia coli BL-21 (DE3lambda) cells. Their intracellular localization was determined. The conditions for isolation and purification of the target recombinant proteins and for folding of BDNF and NT-3 precursors were selected. The recombinant proprecursors of human neurotrophines have been shown to possess complex oligomeric structure.     

Use of a crude extract or purified antigen from first‐instar cattle grubs,Hypoderma lineatum,for the detection of anti‐Hypoderma antibodies in free‐ranging cervids from southern Spain

During the 2003–2005 hunting seasons, a total of 120 Cervidae, including 39 red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) and 81 fallow deer (Dama dama), were examined for subcutaneous myiasis. Animals were shot from January to June in southern Spain. Specific antibodies against Hypodermatinae (Diptera: Oestridae) were detected by indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) using a crude larval extract (CLE) and a purified antigen [hypodermin C (HC)] obtained from first instars of Hypoderma lineatum (De Villers) (Diptera: Oestridae). Hypoderma actaeon Brauer was the only species detected in this study, which represents the first confirmation of this species in fallow deer from Spain. The overall prevalence of animals presenting subcutaneous larvae (14.2%) was considerably lower than the prevalences determined by iELISA with CLE (43.3%) and HC (40.0%). Red deer showed a higher prevalence of Hypoderma than fallow deer. The concordance between larval examination during the hunting season and iELISA using both antigens was low, whereas the concordance between the CLE and HC ELISAs was good. Larval antigens obtained from H. lineatum constitute a good tool for the diagnosis of H. actaeon in Cervidae, especially when the hunting season does not coincide with the maximum presence of larvae on the back.