Changes in myosin ATPase activity in skeletal muscles of rat during cold stress

Three skeletal muscles viz., gastrocnemius, pectoralis and diaphragm from rats acclimated to a low temperature (4 +/- 1 degrees C; 16 hr daily; maximum for 8 weeks) exhibit an increased myosin ATPase activity. An analysis of native myosin from these muscles under non-dissociating conditions reveals two myosin isozymes instead of a single isozyme expressed in control muscles. Isoelectric focusing (IEF) coupled with two dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D SDS-PAGE) confirms an increased phosphorylation of myosin light chain 2 (MLC2) in muscles from cold acclimated rats.     

Comparative Study of Agar Diffusion Test and the NCCLS Macrobroth Method for In Vitro Susceptibility Testing of Candida spp.

We performed a prospective double-blind study to evaluate the correlation between inhibition zones obtained by a disk-diffusion test, using Neo-sensitabs of fluconazole (Rosco Diagnostica), and the MICs generated by the NCCLS macrobroth dilution assay. Eighty clinical isolates, representing 5 of the clinically relevant species of Candida, were tested simultaneously by both methods. A clear inverse correlation was found between the results obtained by both tests (r = −0.69). In addition, there was high degree of agreement between methods in the identification of susceptible isolates. However, the resistance definition by disk-diffusion test had a positive predictive value of only 17%. Our data support the hypothesis that Rosco Fluconazole Neo-sensitabs have potential as a screening test for the identification of Candida isolates susceptible to fluconazole. Resistant isolates should be further investigated by standardized broth procedures. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Single particle tracking of correlated bacterial dynamics

Pattern formation in 3D random media has been a topic of interest in soft matter and biological systems. However, the onset of long-range microscopic ordering has not been explored in randomly moving self-propelled particles due to a lack of model systems as well as local probe techniques. In this article, we report on a novel experiment, using motile Escherichia coli bacteria as a model system, to study the onset of dynamic correlation and collective movement in three-dimension. We use fluctuation of an optically trapped micron-size bead as a detector of correlated bacterial motion, and further study this behavior by analyzing the motility of fluorescent bacteria in a confocal volume. We find evidence of dynamic correlation at very low volume fractions (0.01). We show that the magnitude of this correlation strongly depends on the interbacterial distances and their coupling modes. This opens up possibilities to probe long-range pattern formation in actively propelled cells or organisms coupled through hydrodynamics and/or chemical signaling.     

Early-Life Intervention of Lactoferrin and Probiotic in Suckling Piglets: Effects on Immunoglobulins,Intestinal Integrity,and Neonatal Mortality

Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins - The aim of this study was to determine the effects of early-life bovine lactoferrin and host specific probiotic interventions on growth performance,...     

Laboratory evalution of a translocation double heterozygote for genetic control of Aedes aegypti

Summary Two pure translocation homozygote stocks, T₁/T₁ and T₃/T₃, were used to produce a double translocation heterozygote system designated T₁/T₃, employing T₁/T₁ as the male and T₃/T₃ as the female parent. The double heterozygote showed 73 % sterility when mated to wild females. Tests on mating competitiveness, recombination frequency in the differential segment, insemination rate and inheritance of sterility after release, for four generations in laboratory cages, have been carried out to evaluate the efficiency of this strain as an agent for a population control programme.     

A new sex-linked mutant short wing in Aedes aegypti.

A spontaneous recessive sex-linked mutant short wing has been discovered in the mosquito Aedes aegypti. It is situated less than one cross-over unit from the sex determining locus. In homozygous females, flight is impaired and the survival and fecundity is markedly subnormal. Two possible uses of this gene for genetic control operations are envisaged: (a) to provide automatic sexing of males for release and (b) enhancement of the population control potential of other available genetics systems.     

Facile exchange of glycosyl S,S-acetals to their O,O-acetals and preparation of glycofuranosides from acyclic glycosyl S,S-acetals under metal-free reaction conditions in the presence of 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin

Exchange of acyclic glycosyl dithioacetals to their O,O-acetals has been achieved by a generalized reaction protocol mediated by 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin under mild, metal-free and neutral conditions. This methodology has been extended to the synthesis of alkyl glycofuranosides.