Effect of pH on ochratoxin A production by Aspergillus niger aggregate species

The effect of pH (2-10) on growth and ochratoxin A (OTA) production by 12 Aspergillus niger aggregate strains was studied in two culture media: Czapek yeast autolysate agar (CYA) and yeast extract sucrose agar (YES), over 30 days. The strains were selected to include different sources, different reported abilities to produce OTA and different ITS-5.8S rDNA RFLP patterns. YES was a better culture medium than CYA for OTA production. In this medium, OTA was produced from pH 2 or 3 to 10 depending on the strain. The results show the ability of A. niger aggregate strains not only to grow, but also to produce OTA over a wide pH range. The results will lead to a better understanding of the role of A. niger aggregate strains in the OTA contamination of several food commodities.     

Adrenal myelolipoma: apropos a case with urologic symptomatology. A review of the literature

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), an important risk factor for thrombotic diseases, is a member of the superfamily of serine proteinase inhibitors. To define structural rearrangements occurring during interaction between PAI-1 and its target proteinases we have raised monoclonal antibodies against the PAI-1/t-PA complex. Thirteen out of 401 monoclonal antibodies reacted preferentially with the PAI-1/t-PA complex as compared to free PAI-1 or free t-PA. Detailed characterization revealed the presence of two non-overlapping neoantigenic epitopes in the PAI-1/t-PA complex. Both neoantigenic epitopes were also exposed after complex formation between PAI-1 and either urokinase-type plasminogen activator, plasmin or thrombin as well as after cleavage of the reactive site loop of non-inhibitory substrate type PAI-1 variants. Thus, we have identified two neoantigenic epitopes, localized entirely in PAI-1, and commonly exposed after complex formation of active PAI-1 with various proteinases or after cleavage of substrate PAI-1. These monoclonal antibodies should facilitate further studies on the mechanism of interaction between various PAI-1 forms and its target proteinases.     

Usefulness of the neuroandrologic profile study in patients with erectile dysfunction: review of a series of 180 cases

OBJECTIVES: To determine the usefulness of a complete neuroandrologic evaluation and SPACE (Single Potential Analysis Cavernous Electromyography) in the study of impotence. METHODS: We performed a clinical study, erection test with papaverine-phentolamine and neuroandrologic evaluation (bulbocavernous EMG, S2-S4 evoked potentials, evoked somatosensorial potentials, SPACE, D10-L2 skin sympathetic potentials, cystometrogram, and filling videocystography) in 180 patients consulting for impotence. RESULTS: We observed a relationship between the clinical diagnosis of impotence and the data from the neuroandrogenic study. The results of the study were classified as normal [in the clinical diagnosis of psychogenic impotence (100%), hormonal (80%) and vascular (60%)], abnormal [prevalent in the clinical diagnosis of structural impotence (87%)]. The erection test was mainly negative in all clinical diagnoses of impotence, except in psychogenic and vascular impotence (60% positive tests). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical data are useful in the diagnosis of impotence. The pharmacological erection test was not found to be very reliable. Complete neuroandrologic evaluation is indicated in non typified and mixed impotence, and can be performed in neurogenic impotence to identify the level of the lesion. Alone, SPACE does not appear to be useful as a screening test for neurologic lesions, but can be useful as a screening test for neuromuscular cavernous lesions. SPACE is indicated in structural, vascular and hormonal impotence. If SPACE is abnormal, the differential diagnosis between neurogenic and myogenic lesion can be made through a complete neuroandrologic evaluation.     

Late p53 mutation in head and neck oncogenesis

p53 mutation are currently recognized as the commonest genetic event in human tumors. In this paper are studied, through immunochemistry, the p53 protein expression of 25 carriers from squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and hypopharynx as well in the non tumoral mucosa of the larynx removed and corresponding metastases. Because of the great overexpression of this protein among tumors and its metastases, aside with the low expression in normal far-off mucous membranes of the studied growths, the AA. draw out the conclusion that p53 mutation is a late event by neck and head oncogenesis.     

Prognosis in hereditary amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Two different forms of hereditary amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been separated according to duration of illness. A rapid course with short survival as seen in sporadic ALS is usual, but a comparatively benign type with a mean survival of 12 years has been reported in some families. Four patients from an ALS-afflicted family with five affected members in three generations were examined and then followed up. A conspicuous variability in progression among the patients was observed, with death occurring from 26 months to 12 years after onset; one patient is alive 13 years after onset. Wide differences were also found with respect to initial site of involvement and pyramidal tract signs. Three other families with this mixed pattern of prognosis have been reported previously. Affected individuals within involved families had either short or long duration of the disease, rather than displaying a continuum. However, in view of the existence of a type of hereditary ALS with marked intrafamilial variability, prognosis, even in the presence of previous benign cases, should be cautiously given.     

A liquid-liquid extractor model based on UNIFAC

A steady state liquid-liquid extractor model using the UNIFAC group contribution method for phase equilibria has been developed. A heuristic method, which limits the number of stage calculations per iteration to a low number is used, according to the residuals calculated in the previous iteration, the method either selects or rejects a stage for the calculations. With this approach, the same accuracy in results have been obtained at about half the computing time with respect to without use of heuristic method. The model has been applied to simulate staged extractors as well as continuous extractors (plate columns). The model is based on a very robust flash calculation routine and on a versatile package (UNIFAC) for the prediction of thermodynamic properties.     

Two color multichannel heterodyne interferometer set up for high spatial resolution electron density profile measurements in TJ-II

A high spatial resolution two color [CO(2), λ=10.6?μm/Nd:YAG (Nd:YAG denotes neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet), and λ=1.064?μm] expanded-beam multichannel heterodyne interferometer has been installed on the TJ-II stellarator. Careful design of the optical system has allowed complete control on the evolution of both Gaussian beams along the interferometer, as well as the evaluation and optimization of the spatial resolution to be expected in the measurements. Five CO(2) (measurement) channels and three Nd:YAG (vibration compensation) channels have been used to illuminate the plasma with a probe beam of 100 mm size. An optimum interpolation method has been applied to recover both interferometric phasefronts prior to mechanical vibration subtraction. The first results of the installed diagnostic are presented in this paper.