Effect of water activity and temperature on mycelial growth and ochratoxin A production by isolates of Aspergillus ochraceus on irradiated green coffee beans.

Aspergillus ochraceus as a fungal contaminant and ochratoxin A (OTA) producer plays an important role in coffee quality. Temperature and water activity (a(w)) significantly influence mycelial growth and OTA production by isolates of A. ochraceus on green coffee beans.

Modelling of effects of water activity and temperature on germination and growth of ochratoxigenic isolates of Aspergillus ochraceus on a green coffee-based medium.

Influence of water activity (0.75-0.99 a(w)) and temperature (10, 20 and 30 degrees C) on germination and mycelial growth on green coffee extract agar medium of three ochratoxigenic isolates of Aspergillus ochraceus was studied.

Magnetic anisotropy of a high-spin octanuclear nickel(II) complex with a meso-helicate core.

The octanickel(II) cluster 2b has been synthesized from the novel ferromagnetically coupled dinickel(II) metallacryptand 1b assembled from the m-phenylene-bis(oxamate) ligand. Complex 2b exhibits a dimer-of-tetramers structure, with two oxamate-bridged propeller-shaped tetranuclear units connected through three meta-substituted phenylenediamidate bridges, giving a metallacryptand core of the meso-helicate type. Complex 2b behaves as a ferromagnetically coupled dimer of two S=2 Ni(II)4 units with appreciable magnetic anisotropy.

Feeding behavior of the cirratulid Cirriformia filigera (Delle Chiaje, 1825) (Annelida: Polychaeta).

Observations of the feeding behavior of Cirriformia filigera (Delle Chiaje, 1825) (Annelida: Polychaeta) from the intertidal zone of São Francisco and Engenho D'água beaches (São Sebastião, State of São Paulo) were made in the laboratory. This species, like other cirratulids, is a deposit feeder, feeding mainly on sediment surface with the aid of its grooved and ciliated palps, which are used to capture food particles. The worm lies just beneath the substrate surface in a J-shaped tube.

Prediction of fungal growth and ochratoxin A production by Aspergillus ochraceus on irradiated barley grain as influenced by temperature and water activity.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a secondary metabolite of Aspergillus and Penicillium species, including Aspergillus ochraceus, a species that can be found in stored cereal grains such as barley. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of water activity (a(w), 0.80-0.

Spin control in ladderlike hexanuclear copper(II) complexes with metallacyclophane cores.

Two new hexanuclear oxamatocopper(II) complexes 3 and 4 have been synthesized from the binuclear copper(II) complexes of the meta- and para-phenylenebis(oxamate) ligands, respectively. Complexes 3 and 4 possess an overall ladderlike structure made up of two oxamate-bridged linear trinuclear units ("rails") connected through two phenylenediamidate bridges ("rungs") between the central copper atoms to give metallacyclic cores of the meta- and para-cyclophane type, respectively. They show different ground spin states, S = 1 (3) or S = 0 (4), depending on the substitution pattern in the aromatic spacers.

Self-assembly and magnetic properties of a double-propeller octanuclear copper(II) complex with a meso-helicate-type metallacryptand core.

An octanuclear copper(II) complex possessing a dimer-of-tetramers structure self-assembles from a binuclear oxamatocopper(II) metallacryptand of the meso-helicate type; its magnetic behaviour is consistent with its unique double-propeller molecular topology.

Long-range magnetic coupling through extended pi-conjugated aromatic bridges in dinuclear copper(II) metallacyclophanes.

Self-assembly of 1,4-phenylenebis(oxamate) and 4,4'-biphenylenebis(oxamate) ligands and Cu2+ ions gives two new dinuclear copper(II) metallacyclophanes where the two metal centers are connected by double para-substituted aromatic diamide bridges. Despite the relatively large intramolecular Cu-Cu distance of ca. 8 and 12 A for each complex, magnetic susceptibility measurements evidence strong to moderately strong intramolecular antiferromagnetic couplings (-J values of the order of 100 and 10 cm-1, respectively).

[Anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa antibodies and lung disease in cystic fibrosis].

The aim of our study was to diagnose and to control three aspects of the evolution of lung disease in CF: the absence of infection, the intermittent colonization and chronic infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Therefore a study of anti-pseudomonas antibodies (Ab) (anti-protease, anti-elastin and antihexo-toxin A) for diagnosis and follow-up of CF patients was considered. Moreover, we related the presence of Ab to the sputum culture, to FEV1, to patient age and to genotype.

Alkane oxidation by a carboxylate-bridged dimanganese(III) complex.

A new manganese(II) oxamato dimer possesing an unprecedented Mn2(mu-O2CR)(mu-OH2...

Flow cytometric analysis of goat milk lymphocytes: subpopulations and adhesion molecule expression.

Cytometric analysis of cells in milk from healthy goats was achieved after elimination of interfering signals from debris and dead cells by irreversible staining with ethidium monoazide. Some 61% of milk lymphocytes are CD8+ T cells, 17% are CD4+ and about 20% of these express class II antigens: less than 4% are B cells. Compared with blood, the CD4/CD8 ratio was inverted and fewer lymphocytes expressed CD4SR or L-selectin.

Multiple versions of the A mating type locus of Coprinus cinereus are generated by three paralogous pairs of multiallelic homeobox genes.

The A mating type locus of Coprinus cinereus determines mating compatibility by regulating essential steps in sexual development. Each A locus contains several genes separated into two functionally independent complexes termed A alpha and A beta, and the multiple alleles of these genes generate an estimated 160 A mating specificities. The genes encode two classes of homeodomain-containing proteins designated HD1 and HD2.

Two classes of homeodomain proteins specify the multiple a mating types of the mushroom Coprinus cinereus.

The A mating type locus of the mushroom Coprinus cinereus regulates essential steps in sexual development. The locus is complex and contains several functionally redundant, multiallelic genes that encode putative transcription factors. Here, we compare four genes from an A locus designated A42.

[Ureteral triplicity: trifid ureter with ipsilateral ureterocele and renal dysplasia in an adult with testicular seminoma].

Ureteral triplicity is a rare abnormality of which there are less than a hundred cases reported up to date. The possible absence of clinical signs can explain why this malformation passes unnoticed specially when there are blind branches and dysplastic renal segments. The paper presents the case of a 43 year-old male, attending the clinic on a testicle tumour consultation, in which in spite of the previously mentioned circumstances a preoperative diagnosis of trifid ureter with ipsilateral ureterocele and renal dysplasia was reached owing to the use of C.

Cell cycle- and differentiation stage-dependent variation of dUTPase activity in higher plant cells.

Deoxyuridine triphosphate nucleotidohydrolase (dUTPase), a key enzyme in pyrimidine nucleotide metabolism, specifically hydrolyzes deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) to deoxyuridine monophosphate and inorganic pyrophosphate. This enzyme activity has been studied in cellular extracts from Allium cepa root meristem cells with two specific aims: (i) to determine how the properties of the plant enzyme compare with those of dUTPase purified from other sources, and (ii) to analyze the relationship between dUTPase activity and cell proliferation and cell differentiation. Plant dUTPase is highly specific for dUTP, with an apparent Km of 6 microM, is highly sensitive to EDTA and it is probably a metalloenzyme.

[Skin metastasis as the first manifestation of dissemination of bladder cancer].

Cutaneous metastases of vesical carcinoma are an uncommon finding and generally appear amid multisystemic dissemination. We present a case of appearance of multiple cutaneous metastases in the immediate postoperative period of a patient subjected to radical cystectomy, in which this affection was the only sign of metastatic seeding. We discuss the etiopathogeny and possible evolution of similar cases.

The incorporation of deoxyuridine monophosphate into DNA increases the sister-chromatid exchange yield.

The effect of a treatment with 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (FdUrd) in combination with 2'-deoxyuridine (dUrd) on cell proliferation, incorporation of DNA precursors into DNA and sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) has been analyzed in Allium cepa meristem cells. FdUrd in the range 10(-9)-5 X 10(-7) M produced a dose- and time-dependent decrease in the amount of cells in mitosis. This inhibitory effect could be reversed by 70-80% in short-term (6 h) experiments, by exogenously supplied dUrd at a concentration of 10(-4) M.

Cisplatin, bleomycin and methotrexate in the treatment of advanced oesophageal cancer.

From February 1981 to September 1982, 34 patients with metastatic or locally advanced (inoperable) epidermoid carcinoma of the oesophagus were treated with a combination of cisplatin, bleomycin and methotrexate. Thirty-one patients are now evaluable for response: 16 of 31 (52%) experienced some improvement, but only eight (26%) obtained major responses (one complete and seven partial). Responses were obtained rapidly within the first two courses.

Experience in changing food habits of hyperlipidemic men and women.

In this study, the following were planned and tested: Methods of changing adult eating habits to conform with dietary principles for lowering serum lipids; a method to assess adherence to dietary modifications; and use of nutrition aides as instructors. Six slide-tape units--tested by individual, group, and self-teaching methods, and a combination of these--were effective as judged by such indicators as lowered serum cholesterol, reduced intake of saturated fat and dietary cholesterol, and increased intake of polyunsaturated fat. The Diet Achievement Score is an effective tool for assessing adherence.

Fat-modified menu's ongoing success noted.

In 1972, a hospital food service introduced a fat-modified selective cycle menu program for its patients, staff members, and visitors. Goals and implementation are discussed.