Isolation of fungi from bats of the Amazon basin

A total of 2,886 bats captured in the Amazon Basin of Brazil were processed for the isolation of fungi. From the livers, spleens, and lungs of 155 bats (5.4%), 186 fungal isolates of the genera Candida (123 isolates), Trichosporon (26 isolates), Torulopsis (25 isolates), Kluyveromyces (11 isolates), and Geotrichum (1 isolate) were recovered. Seven known pathogenic species were present: Candida parapsilosis, C. guilliermondii, C. albicans, C. stellatoidea, C. pseudotropicalis, Trichosporon beigelii, and Torulopsis glabrata. Twenty-three culture-positive bats showed identical fungal colonization in multiple organs or mixed colonization in a single organ. The fungal isolation rates for individual bat species varied from 1 fungus per 87 bats to 3 fungi per 13 bats, and the mycoflora diversity for members of an individual fungus-bearing bat species varied from 16 fungi per 40 bats to 7 fungi per 6 bats. Of the 38 fungal species isolated, 36 had not been previously described as in vivo bat isolates. Of the 27 culture-positive bat species, 21 had not been previously described as mammalian hosts for medically or nonmedically important fungi.     

Effect of dilution rate on eicosapentaenoic acid productivity ofPhaeodactylum tricornutum utex 640 in outdoor chemostat culture

Summary Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) volumetric productivity from an outdoor chemostat culture ofPhaeodactylum tricornutum UTEX 640 in a 50-l tubular photobioreactor varies with dilution rate, reaching a maximum of 47.8 mg l^–1 d^–1 at D=0.36 d^–1. Continuous culture at high dilution rates' is proposed as the most adequate operating mode to maximize polyunsaturated fatty acid production.     

Phenotype modulation in primary cultures of arterial smooth-muscle cells. Dual effect of prostaglandin E1

The effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on the phenotypic state of enzymatically isolated arterial smooth-muscle cells in primary culture were studied by transmission electron microscopy, thymidine autoradiography, and cell counting. Early in culture (day 0-2), PGE1 stimulated conversion of the cells from contractile (less euchromatic nucleus and cytoplasm dominated by myofilament bundles) to synthetic state (more euchromatic nucleus and cytoplasm dominated by cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum and a large Golgi complex). The rate of entrance of the cells into DNA synthesis and mitosis was also increased at this time. Later on (day 3-6), when the majority of the cells had entered synthetic state, PGE1 inhibited DNA synthesis and cellular proliferation. These observations indicate that the effect of prostaglandins on arterial smooth muscle is dual in nature and dependent on the state of differentiation of the cells.     

L-thyroxine and L-triiodothyronine in the cerebral tissues of the adult rat. Effect of hypothyroidism]

The L-thyroxine and L-triiodothyronine concentrations in several brain areas (cerebral cortex, brain stem, hypothalamus, total brain and hypophysis) in normal and hypothyroid rats have been studied. Results show that L-thyroxine values at tissue level are inferior in the hypothyroid group, although non-significant with respect to the control group, whereas L-triiodothyronine presents values similar to the hypothyroid group and its control in all the brain regions studied with the exception of hypophysis. These results show that in hypothyroid situations exist a compensatory mechanism for maintaining the adequate L-triiodothyronine levels in several brain areas, although the serum levels are strongly decreased in hypothyroid animals.     

Effect of strontium and magnesium on blood calcium]

Twenty four male Wistar rats weighing 250 +/- 10 g, in three groups of 8 rats each, were used. Group A was used as control and the content of its drinking water was 6.5 mg/l Ca; 2.4 mg/l Mg. The drinking water of groups B and C was supplemented with 20 mM (SrCl2) and 20 mM (MgCl2), respectively. Once the 20 days of mineral supplementation had passed, arterial blood was extracted by puncture in the abdominal aorta. In the serum obtained after centrifugation, Ca, Mg, Sr and the total proteins (TP) were determined. Afterwards the serum was subjected to ultrafiltration. Concentrations of Ca, Mg and TP were measured in the obtained ultrafiltrates (u), with the above described techniques. The pH was measured before and after the ultrafiltration. The TP decreased significantly both in group B (supplemented with Sr), and in group C (supplement with Mg). Increases in Ca were found in group B and in Mg in group C. The Mg/Ca ratio increased 10% after the supplementation with Mg. At the ultrafiltrate a significant increase in Cau after supplementation with Sr and with Mg was observed. The Mgu/Cau ratio decreased 14% in the group supplemented with Sr and 38% after the supplementation with Mg. In conclusion, the supplementation with Sr (20 mM) in rats increases the Cau and could have the effect of reducing protein synthesis. These facts should be borne in mind when Sr is used for therapeutical purposes.     

The influence of alkyl pyridinium sponge toxins on membrane properties, cytotoxicity, transfection and protein expression in mammalian cells

The ability of two alkyl pyridinium sponge toxin preparations (poly-APS and halitoxin) to form transient pores/lesions in cell membranes and allow transfection of plasmid cDNA have been investigated using HEK 293 cells. Poly-APS and halitoxin preparations caused a collapse in membrane potential, reductions in input resistance and increased Ca²⁺ permeability. At least partial recovery was observed after poly-APS application but recovery was more rarely seen with halitoxin. The transfection with plasmid cDNAs for an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and human tumour necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) was assessed for both toxin preparations and compared with lipofectamine. Stable transfection was achieved with poly-APS although it was less efficient than lipofectamine. These results show that viable cells transfected with alien cDNA can be obtained using novel transient pore-forming alkyl pyridinium sponge toxins and a simple pre-incubation protocol. This provides the first proof of principle that pore-forming alkyl pyridinium compounds can be used to deliver cDNA to the intracellular environment without permanently compromising the plasma membrane.     

In vivo protein synthesis from 14C-substrates in porcine tissues during the transition to postnatal development

[2-14C] leucine, [1-14C] alanine, [1-14C] glucose, [1-14C] lactate and [1-14C] pyruvate utilization in the protein synthesis has been studied in vivo at early stages of postnatal development of piglets. It has been established, that during the first 24 hours after birth the protein synthesis intensity, judging by [2-14C] leucine incorporation, in liver, skeletal muscle, duodenal wall and subcutaneous tissue of piglets increases 5, 7, 6.5 and 2.1 times respectively. At the age of 1-2 h the radioactive carbon incorporation from [1-14C] glucose into the brain proteins is more pronounced than into the proteins of liver and skeletal muscle. During the first days of life the intensity of the label incorporation from [1-14C] glucose into liver and skeletal muscle proteins of piglets is enhanced, whereas in brain it remains at the same level. The degree of 14C carbon incorporation from [1-14C]-alanine, [1-14C] pyruvate and [1-14C] lactate into the liver and skeletal muscle proteins of 5-days-old piglets is approximately the same, 14C substrates of protein synthesis in brain and subcutaneous adipose tissue having some peculiarities.