Interspecific hybridization between Penicillium chrysogenum and Penicillium cyaneo-fulvum following protoplast fusion

Summary Slow-growing interspecific heterokaryons were isolated on minimal medium following the induced fusion of protoplasts from auxotrophic mutants of Penicillium chrysogenum and Penicillium cyaneo-fulvum. After 5–7 days cultivation the heterokaryons produced vigorously growing sectors which on transfer gave genetically stable colonies. Cultivation of these colonies on a complete medium supplemented with p-fluorophenylalanine or benomyl broke down this stability and several different prototrophic and auxotrophic colony types were isolated. Many of these behaved as diploids or aneuploids showing sectoring either spontaneously, or in the presence of an haploidizing agent. Some of the latter isolates were recombinants for parental spore colour and auxotrophic markers.     

Orientation sensitivity of the visual movement detection system activating the landing response of the blowflies,Calliphora, and Phaenicia: A behavioural investigation

The orientation sensitivity of the visual movement detection system relative to the axes of the eye was investigated for the landing response by changing the direction of movement of a periodic striped pattern (unidirectional movement) and a two-stripe pattern consiting of two stripes moving apart (bidirectional movement). In the momocular, equatorial regions of the eye progressive motion proves to be most effective, whereas in the frontal (equational), binocular region descendive motion is most effective in eliciting the landing response, probably caused by binocular interactions. A strong enhancement of the response is induced by stimulation in the binocular region of the two eyes. The orientation of elementary movement detectors relative to the axes of the ommatidial array is discussed. The findings are summarized in a functional model of the landing response.     

Condition‐dependence and sexual ornamentation: Effects of immune challenges on a highly sexually dimorphic grasshopper

Sexual ornaments contribute substantially to phenotypic diversity and it is particularly relevant to understand their evolution. Ornaments can assume the function of signals‐of‐quality that the choosy sex uses to evaluate potential mating partners. Often there are no obvious direct benefits and investment into mate choice is primarily rewarded by beneficial alleles that are inherited to the offspring. Inter‐sexual communication via sexual ornaments requires honesty of the sexual signal, yet the question of what maintains honesty remains only partially solved. One solution is that honesty is maintained by trait expression being dependent on individual condition, since condition‐dependent trait expression offers an effectively inexhaustible source of genetic variability. Here we test in the highly sexually dimorphic club‐legged grasshopper Gomphocerus sibiricus if putative sexual ornaments, in particular the striking front‐leg clubs, are more strongly affected by a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) immune challenge than putatively not sexually selected traits. Our results show overall little condition‐dependent expression of morphological and song traits, with sexually selected traits exhibiting effects comparable to nonsexually selected traits (with the possible exception of stridulatory file length and syllable‐to‐pause ratio in advertisement songs). Interestingly, field observations of individuals of lethally parasitized individuals suggest that a very strong environmental challenge can specifically affect the expression of the front‐leg clubs. The presence of 1% of males in natural populations with missing or heavily deformed clubs plus 5% with minor club deformations furthermore indicate that there are risks associated with club development during final ecdysis and this might act as a filter against deleterious alleles.     

The vertical-horizontal neurone (VH) in the lobula plate of the blowfly,Phaenicia

Summary The anatomy and physiology of a motion-sensitive neurone, the vertical-horizontal (VH-) cell in the third visual neuropil (lobula plate) of the blowfly,Phaenicia was studied by intracellular recordings combined with dye injection. The cell possesses two dendritic fields in different layers of the lobula plate. The axon runs jointly with those of the vertical cells along the caudal surface of the lobula plate and terminates in the central protocerebrum lateral to the esophageal canal. The receptive field of the VH-cell is subdivided into two physiologically different parts which correspond to the two dendritic fields: if the input reaches the dendritic field residing in a more caudal layer (V-layer), the cell responds maximally to vertical pattern motion; whereas if the input reaches the dendritic field residing in a more rostral layer (H-layer), the cell responds maximally to horizontal pattern motion. The VH-neurone responds maximally to a contrast frequency of approximately / 1.8 Hz which coincides with the contrast frequency dependence of optomotor (following) responses. It is, therefore, considered to be a likely candidate mediating the pitch response (Blondeau and Heisenberg 1982) in flies.     

The contrast frequency-dependence: A criterion for judging the non-participation of neurones in the control of behavioural responses

Summary The dependences of two behavioural responses, the landing response and the torque response, on the contrast frequency of a moving striped pattern differ with respect to the position of their respective peaks. The contrast frequency-dependence of the motion-sensitive H1-neurone corresponds to that found for the torque response, but differs significantly from that determined for the landing response. This finding implies separate neural pathways for both behavioural responses.Abbreviation LR landing response This research was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft through grants Ec 56/3 (Heisenberg stipend) and funds of the Sonderforschungsbereich 114.     

Nomenclatural consequences of some recent studies on Brachionus plicatilis (Rotifera,Brachionidae)

Recent studies on morphology, karyotype, genetics including allozyme constitution and reproductive behaviour of S- and L-type B. plicatilis showed that these types are best treated as different species. A reexamination of existing available names revealed B. plicatilis O. F. Müller, 1786 and B. rotundiformis Tschugunoff, 1921 as the correct names for the L- and S-type, respectively.     

Estimation of the bioavailability of zinc and calcium from human,cow's,goat, and sheep milk by an in vitro method

The availability of zinc and calcium from human, cow's, goat, and sheep milk is evaluated by an in vitro method that involves a simulated human gastrointestinal digestion followed by measurement of dialyzability of zinc and calcium. Zinc availability of milk showed the highest value for human milk (15.0%) and the lowest for sheep milk (1.0%), in both whole and skim milk. Calcium availability of the different types of milk did not differ significantly and ranged between 18 and 23%. No significant differences in availability between whole and skim milk were found for both elements, except for zinc in cow's milk.     

Leprosy New Case Detection Trends and the Future Effect of Preventive Interventions in Pará State,Brazil: A Modelling Study

BackgroundLeprosy remains a public health problem in Brazil. Although the overall number of new cases is declining, there are still areas with a high disease burden, such as Pará State in the north of the country. We aim to predict future trends in new case detection rate (NCDR) and explore the potential impact of contact tracing and chemoprophylaxis on NCDR in Pará State.MethodsWe used SIMCOLEP, an existing individual-based model for the transmission and control of M. leprae, in a population structured by households. The model was quantified to simulate the population and observed NCDR of leprosy in Pará State for the period 1990 to 2014. The baseline scenario was the current control program, consisting of multidrug therapy, passive case detection, and active case detection from 2003 onwards. Future projections of the NCDR were made until 2050 given the continuation of the current control program (i.e. baseline). We further investigated the potential impact of two scenarios for future control of leprosy: 1) discontinuation of contact tracing; and 2) continuation of current control in combination with chemoprophylaxis. Both scenarios started in 2015 and were projected until 2050.ResultsThe modelled NCDR in Pará State after 2014 shows a continuous downward trend, reaching the official elimination target of 10 cases per 100,000 population by 2030. The cessation of systematic contact tracing would not result in a higher NCDR in the long run. Systematic contact tracing in combination with chemoprophylaxis for contacts would reduce the NCDR by 40% and bring attainment of the elimination target two years forward to 2028.ConclusionThe NCDR of leprosy continues to decrease in Pará State. Elimination of leprosy as a public health problem could possibly be achieved around 2030, if the current control program is maintained. Providing chemoprophylaxis would decrease the NCDR further and would bring elimination forward by two years.     

Topical Nasal Anesthesia in Flexible Bronchoscopy – A Cross-Over Comparison between Two Devices

Introduction

Topical airway anesthesia is known to improve tolerance and patient satisfaction during flexible bronchoscopy (FB). Lidocaine is commonly used, delivered as an atomized spray. The current study assesses safety and patient satisfaction for nasal anesthesia of a new atomization device during outpatient bronchoscopy in lung transplant recipients.

Methods

Using a prospective, non-blinded, cross-over design, patients enrolled between 01-10-2014 and 24-11-2014 received 2% lidocaine using the standard reusable nasal atomizer (CRNA). Those enrolled between 25-11-2014 and 30-01-2015, received a disposable intranasal mucosal atomization device (DIMAD). After each procedure, the treating physician, their assistant and the patient independently rated side-effects and satisfaction, basing their responses on visual analogue scales (VAS). At their next scheduled bronchoscopy during the study period, patients then received the alternative atomizer. Written consent was obtained prior to the first bronchoscopy, and the study approved by the institutional ethics committee.

Results

Of the 252 patients enrolled between 01-10-2014 and 30-01-2015, 80 (32%) received both atomizers. Physicians reported better efficacy (p = 0.001) and fewer side effects (p< = 0.001) for DIMAD in patients exposed to both procedures. Among patients with one visit, physicians and their assistants reported improved efficacy (p = 0.018, p = 0.002) and fewer side effects (p< = 0.001, p = 0.029) for the disposable atomizer, whereas patients reported no difference in efficacy or side effects (p = 0.72 and p = 0.20). No severe adverse events were noted. The cost of the reusable device was 4.08€ per procedure, compared to 3.70€ for the disposable device.

Discussion

Topical nasal anesthesia via a disposable intranasal mucosal atomization device (DIMAD) offers comparable safety and patient comfort, compared to conventional reusable nasal atomizers (CRNA) in lung transplant recipients. Procedural costs were reduced by 0.34€ per procedure.

Trial Registration

clinicaltrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT02237651","term_id":"NCT02237651"}}NCT02237651