Prioritising source populations for supplementing genetic diversity of reintroduced southern brown bandicoots Isoodon obesulus obesulus

Conservation Genetics - Reintroduction programs can benefit from optimisation of source populations to maximise genetic diversity. Here, we report an approach to guide genetic supplementation of...     

Effect of sample transport systems on survival of bacteria in ground beef.

The effects of two transport systems and cryoprotective agents on the survival of bacteria in ground beef samples were evaluated. Survival of Clostridium perfringens in ground beef samples after simulated transport (72 h) was higher (about 99%) in Dry Ice than in Trans Temp shipping units (-3 degrees C). There were no significant differences between the two transport systems in survival of coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, or aerobic bacteria. Mixing ground beef samples at a ratio of 1:1 (wt/vol) with 10, 20, or 30% buffered solutions of dimethyl sulfoxide or glycerol before freezing improved the survival of C. perfringens and coliforms in both transport systems. Recovery of E. coli was significantly higher with the addition of 10% dimethyl sulfoxide before Dry Ice transport. Addition of 10% dimethyl sulfoxide resulted in a 100% recovery of both S. aureus and aerobic bacteria from ground beef after simulated transport in Trans Temp shipping units. The use of cryoprotective agents can improve the survival of bacteria during transport of ground beef samples.     

Sensitization of Escherichia coli to nisin by maltol and ethyl maltol

F. SCHVED, M.D. PIERSON AND B.J. JUVEN. 1996. When used separately, 20 mmol 1^-1 maltol or 1600 AU ml^-1 nisin resulted in a 0–0.6 log₁₀ reduction in viable counts of Escherichia coli in a buffer system. However, when added in combination they yielded a 1.8–5. 5–log-cycle reduction in viable counts of E. coli at pH 5.0 and 6.8 respectively. It is postulated that maltol (and ethyl maltol) destabilizes the cell outer membrane by chelation of Mg²⁺ and/or Ca²⁺, thus permeabilizing the E. coli cell to nisin.     

Revegetation and reproduction: do restoration plantings in agricultural landscapes support breeding populations of woodland birds?

Oecologia - Restoration plantings are frequently occupied by native wildlife, but little is known about how planting attributes influence breeding by, and persistence of, fauna populations. We...     

First culture-proven gastrointestinal entermophthoromycosis in the United States: A case report and review of the literature

The zygomycoses are fungal infections often occurring in compromised hosts. We report the first culture-proven case of a gastrointestinal infection in the United States by Basidiobolus haptosporus (ranarum). The clinical and histological features are noted in order to distinguish this infection from the more widely reported mucormycosis.