Effect of fatty acids on aflatoxin production byAspergillus parasiticus

The effect of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids on aflatoxin production was studied in a synthetic medium. The aflatoxin production decreased (10-75%) in the presence of lauric acid and palmitic acid but the addition of behenic and sebacic acid stimulated aflatoxin production by 125-541%. Linolenic and linoleic acids effected aflatoxin production and mycelium growth. An 34-fold increase in aflatoxin production was observed with 50 mM linoleic acid. An inverse relationship was observed between aflatoxin production and mycelium mass, irrespective of the nature of the fatty acid.     

Apparent resistance to fall in forced vital capacity in children with increasing mass level of fine particulate: A physiological phenomenon

Abstract

Forced vital capacity (FVC) of children in the age group 10–12 years are reported as a function of quantum increase in PM_2.5 level in ambient air. The data are reported for the children in the categories based on their respective body mass index (BMI). FVC (% predicted) values decreased with increasing level of PM_2.5. The subjects are found to respond in a selective manner as plateau was observed for FVC values against some selected ranges of PM_2.5 concentration levels (74 µgm^?3 to >117 µgm^?3). To explain this unusual behavior, sac theory is proposed which explains the observations of FVC for subjects of all categories with different BMI values.     

Altered hemolysin production in urine-grown uroisolates ofEscherichia coli

Fifteen uroisolates ofE. coli were studies for both cell-free and cell-bound hemolysin production. Estimations were done inTrypticase soy broth (TSB, providing iron-replete medium) TSB +2,2′-bipyridine (providing experimentally created iron-depleted conditions) and pooled normal human urine (providing natural iron-depleted growth medium). In TSB 40% of strains showed no detectable cell-free hemolysin, they were able to produce it in the presence of 2,2′-bipyridine and more so when grown in urine. The cell-bound hemolysin was produced by all the strains in TSB, but in the presence of 2,2′-bipyridine and urine an insignificant increase was observed. All the strains when given 2nd and 3rd passage in urine, were found to elaborate significantly more cell-free as well as cell-bound hemolysin.