Substantivity of zinc salts used as rinsing solutions and their effect on the inhibition of Streptococcus mutans

The antimicrobial efficacy of zinc (Zn) salts (sulfate and acetate) against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) present in the oral cavity was tested in this study. The substantivity of Zn salts was assessed by determining the concentration of Zn in whole, unstimulated saliva and by measuring the magnitude of suppression of salivary S. mutans, 2h after rinsing. The concentration of Zn was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) with electrothermal atomization (ET AAS) in saliva sampled before (basal) and 24h after mouth rinsing with different concentrations of Zn (0.1%, 0.5% and 1%) administrated as sulfate and acetate. The estimation of Zn levels in samples collected 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after rinsing was carried out by AAS with flame atomization (FAAS). Immediately after rinsing, the concentration of Zn in saliva sharply increased with respect to the baseline values (0.055+/-0.017 mg/L), followed by a sustained decrease, probably due to clearance of salivary flow or swallowing during sampling. A significant reduction (>87%) in the total mean S. mutans counts was found 2h after rinsing either with sulfate or acetate solutions, as evidence of the high substantivity and effectiveness of the Zn salts tested. A statistically significant inverse relationship (p<0.001 and the Pearson correlation coefficients between -34% and -50%) was found between Zn levels and the respective pH values measured in the samples collected 60 and 120 min after rinsing, sustaining the theory of bacterial glycolysis inhibition.     

Biological characterization of the lytic cycle of actinophage φA7 in Streptomyces antibioticus

Some basic parameters of the lytic development of phage phi A7 in Streptomyces antibioticus are described. One-step growth experiments demonstrated that at 28 degrees C phi A7 has a latent period of about 60 min and an exponential growth period of about 35 min. The average burst size ranged from 70-100 plaque forming units per infected cell. At the same temperature 50% of the virions were adsorbed to germ tubes of S. antibioticus in about 10 min. This corresponds to an adsorption constant of 6.5 x 10(-10) ml/min. The phage was unable to adsorb the host at other stages of the life cycle (spores or mycelium). Divalent cations are not required for phi A7 stability but Ca2+ proved to be essential for adsorption and also for a later stage of the vegetative development of the phage.     

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of 2-(aminoalkyl)-2,3,3a,8-tetrahydrodibenzo[c,f]isoxazolo[2,3-a]azepine derivatives: a novel series of 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor antagonists. Part 2.

Following the programme started at Janssen Research Foundation searching for 5-HT(2A/2C) antagonists, we now report on the synthesis of a series of substituted 2-(Dimethylaminomethyl)-2,3,3a,8-tetrahydrodibenzo[c,f]isoxazolo[2,3-a]azepine derivatives. The 5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2C) and H(1) receptor affinities as well as the mCPP antagonistic activity of the compounds synthesised is described.     

Relative Dominance Affects Use of Scent-Marked Areas in Male Snow Voles Chionomys nivalis

We conducted a laboratory experiment to examine whether dominance status affects the use of locations occupied (i.e. scent-marked) by same-sex conspecifics among wild-caught snow vole males ( Chionomys nivalis ). Given that the costs of invading scent-marked areas should partially depend on the intruder's competitive ability, we hypothesised that, once a dominance relationship has been established with the owner of marks, the use of these areas by males would vary differently between dominant and subordinate individuals. Before any previous experience with the owner, scented substrates and nests were highly attractive to all males, indicating a general preference for recently occupied areas. However, after relative social status was established through direct interaction the subsequent response of males was altered differently, subordinate individuals reducing the use of marked areas to a much greater extent than dominants. Competitive relationships between male C. nivalis were found to be influenced by differences in body weight, larger males tending to display a more dominant pattern of behaviour. Our results reveal that male C. nivalis may require some direct experience with potential opponents to modulate their response towards occupied locations. Additionally, we suggest that the ability of males to conditionally respond to social signals from particular competing conspecifics might be used to lower the costs of prospective agonistic interactions.     

Occurrence of a Large Ca2+-Independent Release of Glutamate During Anoxia in Isolated Nerve Terminals (Synaptosomes)

Isolated rat cerebral cortical synaptosomes made anoxic by addition of cyanide developed an inhibition of the Ca2+-dependent release of glutamate 2 min after the addition of the metabolic inhibitor when the intrasynaptosomal ATP/ADP ratio decreased below 1.7. In contrast, cyanide induced a continuous efflux of glutamate through a Ca2+-independent pathway that accounted for the release of 25% of total intrasynaptosomal glutamate in 5 min. The results suggest that a Ca2+-independent release of glutamate could be implicated in the neurotoxic action of this amino acid during anoxia.     

Bleomycin stimulates both membrane (Na+-K+) ATPase and electrogenic (Na+-K+) pump and partially removes the inhibition by vanadium ions

Bleomycin 2 X 10(-6) and 6 X 10(-6) mol.1(-1) increased the activity of specific (Na+-K+) ATPase of the rat brain microsomes. It also stimulated the electrogenic (Na+-K+) pump in intact skeletal muscle cells. The blocking effect of vanadyl (+4V) on membrane (Na+-K+) ATPase was eliminated completely by the drug, but the action of vanadate (+5V) was counteracted only partially. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra revealed the formation of a +4V - bleomycin complex which is still able to activate the (Na+-K+) ATPase.     

Isolation and promoter characterization of barley geneItr1 encoding trypsin inhibitor BTI-CMe: differential activity in wild-type and mutantlys3a endosperm

The geneItr1, encoding trypsin inhibitor BTI-CMe, has been obtained from a genomic library ofHordeum vulgare L. The gene has no introns and presents in its 5-upstream region 605 bp that are homologous to the long terminal repeats (LTR) of the copia-like retro-transposon Bare-1. Functional analysis of theItr1 promoter by transient expression in protoplasts derived from different barley tissues, has shown that in this system theItr1 promoter retains its endosperm specifity and thetrans-regulation mediated by theLys3a gene. The proximal promoter extending 343 bp upstream of the translation initiation ATG codon is sufficient to confer fullGUS expression and for endosperm specifity. In protoplasts derived from thelys3a mutant, Risø 1508,GUS activity was less than 5% of that obtained with the same constructs in the protoplasts of wild-type Bomi from which it derives. Gel retardation experiments, after incubation with proteins obtained from both types of endosperm nuclei, also show differential patterns. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed.Equal authours     

Effect of the pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide on sex pheromone biosynthesis in Spodoptera littoralis isolated glands

The control of Spodoptera littoralis sex pheromone biosynthesis has been investigated with synthetic pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) and different labeled tracers using an in vitro isolated gland system. Responsiveness of the glands to PBAN stimulation was impaired by careless tissue manipulation. The fact that PBAN is active in the isolated gland system suggests that this might be a target organ for this peptide in S. littoralis. As reported previously with Br-SOG extracts and intact females, label incorporation into the pheromone increased in glands treated with PBAN from all the precursors tested. However, the formation of labeled intermediates from d₅E11–14:Acid also occurred in glands incubated in the absence of the peptide, but the amounts of d₅Z9, E11–14:Acid were lower in PBAN treated glands than in controls. These results indicate that PBAN controls pheromone biosynthesis in S. littoralis by regulating the reduction of acyl moieties. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Environmental responses of plants and ecosystems as predictors of the impact of global change

An understanding of plant responses to fluctuations in environment is critical to predictions of plant and ecosystem responses to climate change. In the northern hemisphere, the northern limits of distribution of major biomes are probably determined by the tolerance of their dominant physiognomic types (e.g., deciduous hardwood trees) to minimum winter temperatures and can thus be predicted from long-term patterns of temperature fluctuations. At a more detailed level, the responses of functional groups of plants to altered climate can be predicted from their known responses to fluctuations in soil resources (nutrients and water) and the expected effect of climatic change on these soil resources. Laboratory and field experiments demonstrate the feasibility of this approach.