Viability and Infectivity of Tuber borchii after Cryopreservation.

BACKGROUND: Truffles (Tuber spp.) are the most precious ectomycorrhizal edible mushrooms whose biodiversity is seriously endangered. OBJECTIVE: To develop a protocol for cryopreservation of Tuber spp. mycelia using T. borchii as a model species, verifying whether conservation in liquid nitrogen may affect viability, growth rate, hyphal morphology and infectivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cryopreservation was performed using sorbitol, sucrose and DMSO as cryoprotectants. The morphological parameters analyzed were: hyphal diameter, septal distance and hyphal growth unit. Cryopreserved mycelium infectivity was assessed by inoculating Quercus robur seedlings. RESULTS: In T. borchii cryopreserved mycelium, the lag-phase lasted for 6-42 days but no differences in growth curve evolution, growth rate and hyphal morphology were observed except for hyphal growth unit. No differences in mycorrhizal colonization were observed between the seedlings inoculated with non-cryopreserved and cryopreserved mycelium. CONCLUSION: The established protocol is suitable for long-term conservation of Tuber mycelium and opens up the possibility of creating a Tuber spp. germplasm bank to preserve truffle diversity.

The effect of dietary supplementation of vitamins C and E on the α-tocopherol content of muscles, liver and kidney, on the stability of lipids, and on certain meat quality parameters of the longissimus dorsi of rabbits.

The trial was carried out to investigate the effects of adding to the diet of rabbits vitamin E (40; 300; 500 ppm) and C (0; 500 ppm), on vitamin E deposition in the muscles and organs, on the oxidative stability of muscular lipids, and on various meat quality characteristics. The α-tocopherol content in muscles and organs was roughly doubled by feeding the highest levels of vitamin E; it was also increased by giving 500 ppm of vitamin C, but only in those muscles of rabbits receiving 40 ppm of vitamin E. The α-tocopherol content in tissues was negatively correlated with TBARS values of the longissimus dorsi (LD) at days 6 and 8 post mortem (p.m.). Five hundred parts per million (ppm) of vitamin C increased lipid stability of the LD at both 6 and 8 days p.m., though its effect was significant only with 40 ppm of vitamin E. Moreover, 500 ppm of vitamin C resulted in the lowest L(*) and highest pH values at all p.m. times, when the dietary vitamin E was equal to 40 ppm, and in the highest L(*) and lowest pH values when the vitamin E was equal to 300 ppm. Conversely, weight losses of the LD were the lowest, at days 6 and 8 p.m., in the group fed the highest levels of both vitamins.

In vitro study of the age-dependent caecal fermentation pattern and methanogenesis in young rabbits.

The caecal fermentation pattern, including methanogenesis, was studied in young rabbits using in vitro batch incubations. Six conventional litters of eight rabbits each were used. At the age of 22, 25, 28, 32, 36, 42 and 56 days, an animal was slaughtered from each litter and its caecal contents were used for in vitro batch incubations at 39 degrees C/24 h. The incubated samples were analysed for volatile fatty acids (VFA), methane, hydrogen, ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and lactic acid (LA). The net total in vitro VFA production did not differ clearly with age, although a significant decrease was observed on day 36, reflecting the reduced zootechnical performances probably related to an infection with Clostridium spiroforme that occurred in the same period. The molar proportions of butyrate and propionate formed a change in the opposite direction with age, starting with a sudden shift from propionate to butyrate at day 25. In vitro NH3-N production was suggestive of a progressive and significant decrease with age; in vitro LA production was always low. Methane production was almost absent from fermentation until 32 days of age, after which it suddenly shifted from 1.6 to 52.0 mumol/flask/day and increased further with age. A significant litter effect on methanogenesis was observed which suggested the existence of a genetic effect. The hydrogen production was quite low and decreased significantly from day 36 with increasing methanogenesis. The calculated hydrogen recoveries showed a gradual increase from day 32 and were positively correlated (r = 0.92) with methane production. In conclusion, it would seem that in young suckling rabbits, reductive acetogenesis is a major characteristic of caecal fermentation, to be replaced gradually and partially by methanogenesis with the increasing intake of solid feed.

Age dependent variation of caecal contents composition of young rabbits.

In order to study the age dependent variation of caecal contents composition, a young rabbit was slaughtered out of 6 conventional litters at the age of 22; 25; 28; 32; 36; 42 and 56 days. Rabbits were fed a standard diet before and after weaning (at 28 days of age). Daily growth and caecum size were determined. Caecal contents were analyzed for dry matter (DM), pH, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), ribonucleic acid (RNA), lactate, ammonia nitrogen and volatile fatty acids (VFA). Between 22 and 25 days of age, a highly significant drop in CP content was found, associated with an increase in NDF content. RNA values tended to decrease with age, but it is striking that the RNA/CP ratio suggests that about 50% of CP is microbial N, very early in the development (22 days). No significant changes of ammonia nitrogen concentration with age were observed, and lactic acid concentration showed some significant changes, suggestive of a decrease after weaning. Total VFA concentration is suggestive of a progressive and significant (P < 0.01) increase reaching a plateau after 42 days (83.7 mmoles/kg). Molar proportions of propionate and butyrate varied significantly (P < 0.001) and inversely with age. Propionate drops by nearly 50% while butyrate proportion doubles between 22 and 56 days of age. The shift from a propionic to a butyric pattern occurs already at day 25. Correlation analysis revealed significant associations between CP-NDF and RNA. The significant negative correlation between pH and daily weight gain reflects the relation caecal pH-animal health. PH was correlated with lactate and VFA concentration.

Erythrocyte antioxidant system in Down syndrome.

It has been emphasized that an increased oxidative damage can exist in Down syndrome (DS), and that superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) seems to play a role in the pathogenesis of this disorder. We have studied the antioxidant system SOD-1, catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in erythrocytes of DS adults in order to evaluate if these cells are protected against oxidant stress. SOD-1 and GSH-Px were significantly increased while catalase and GSH activities were normal. These results suggest that the erythrocytes of these individuals have an unbalanced antioxidant system which may participate in the manifestations of DS.

Prevalence of dementia in adult patients with trisomy 21.

Neuropathological lesions characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are found in all the brains of patients with trisomy 21 who die after age 40 years. However, clinical signs of AD are much less frequent in these patients. Previous studies indicate prevalence figures ranging from 15% to 51% of adult patients. We report here on the prevalence rate of dementia in a population of adult patients with trisomy 21 with mild retardation living at home. For all these patients accurate and reliable anamnestic data could be obtained from parents and caregivers. All underwent neurological examination, cognitive testing, and, if necessary, further bioimaging and neurophysiological studies. Dementia was diagnosed according to clinical NINCDS/ADRDA criteria slightly modified. Dementia was found in 9 of 50 (18%) patients age 20-52 years, but its prevalence increased from 0 in the age group 20-29, to 33% in the age group 30-39, and to 55% in the age group 40-52. All the demented patients had signs of brain atrophy on CT scans and slow EEGs. Dementia is an important problem for patients with trisomy 21 older than age 30 years.

Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa inversa: a case report.

The inverse form of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is a rare genodermatosis characterized by a smouldering course of integumental blistering with improvement of lesions in adulthood, preferential localizations of lesions in flexural areas, severe oral and esophageal mucosal involvement and nail dystrophy. We describe a 41-year-old patient showing all the typical features of this form of epidermolysis bullosa. Ultrastructural findings in specimens obtained from perilesional and healthy skin were similar to those usually observed in the Hallopeau-Siemens form of epidermolysis bullosa. The patient has been treated with phenytoin for a period of 9 months with considerable improvement of the skin manifestations.

Polymorphism of the locus CHE1 of pseudocholinesterase in Italy.

A sample of the Italian population was investigated to determine the CHE1*u, CHE1*a and CHE1*f allelic variants at the polymorphic locus CHE1 for the serum cholinesterase enzyme. We examined 4051 serum samples from schoolchildren of Milan and estimated the following allelic frequencies for the CHE1 locus: CHE1*u = 0.9636; CHE1*a = 0.0263; CHE1*f = 0.0101. These allelic frequencies are compared with those from other Italian, European, North African and Middle-Eastern countries. Our study confirms the validity of Garry's method in discriminating between the "usual" genotype and the "atypical" and "fluoride-resistant" ones.

[Ectodermal dysplasia with severe odontodysplasia. Study of an affected family]. / Dysplasie ectodermique avec odonto-dysplasie grave. Etude d'une famille atteinte.

We present a very extensive family tree, who includes six generations and 17 women and 9 males affected by ectodermal Dysplasia. The clinical symptomatology is more serious in the males than in the females. In our family the syndrome manifests a segregation that suggests a semi-dominant X-linked heredity.