Control and possible applications of a novel carrot-spoilage basidiomycete, Fibulorhizoctonia psychrophila

A novel cold-tolerant fungus, Fibulorhizoctonia psychrophila, was isolated from a refrigerated carrot storage facility and identified as an anamorph of Athelia, often classified in Rhizoctonia s.l. Growth of this fungus was observed between 0 and 20°C with an optimum at 9–12°C, while incubation of mycelium grown at 15–32°C resulted in absence of growth even after the fungus was transferred back to 15°C. Growth was inhibited in the presence of the antifungals sorbic acid or natamycin, in particular when the fungus was incubated at 18°C. F. psychrophila produces polysaccharide degrading enzymes that, when compared to enzymes from the ascomycete fungus Aspergillus niger, retain a larger proportion of their activity at lower temperatures. This indicates that F. psychrophila could be used as a source for novel industrial enzymes that are active at 4–15°C

Experimental iodine-125 seed irradiation of intracerebral brain tumors in nude mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>High-dose radiotherapy is standard treatment for patients with brain cancer. However, in preclinical research external beam radiotherapy is limited to heterotopic murine models– high-dose radiotherapy to the murine head is fatal due to radiation toxicity. Therefore, we developed a stereotactic brachytherapy mouse model for high-dose focal irradiation of experimental intracerebral (orthotopic) brain tumors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty-one nude mice received a hollow guide-screw implanted in the skull. After three weeks, 5 × 10⁵U251-NG2 human glioblastoma cells were injected. Five days later, a 2 mCi iodine-125 brachytherapy seed was inserted through the guide-screw in 11 randomly selected mice; 10 mice received a sham seed. Mice were euthanized when severe neurological or physical symptoms occurred. The cumulative irradiation dose 5 mm below the active iodine-125 seeds was 23.0 Gy after 13 weeks (BED_tumor= 30.6 Gy).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the sham group, 9/10 animals (90%) showed signs of lethal tumor progression within 6 weeks. In the experimental group, 2/11 mice (18%) died of tumor progression within 13 weeks. Acute side effects in terms of weight loss or neurological symptoms were not observed in the irradiated animals.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The intracerebral implantation of an iodine-125 brachytherapy seed through a stereotactic guide-screw in the skull of mice with implanted brain tumors resulted in a significantly prolonged survival, caused by high-dose irradiation of the brain tumor that is biologically comparable to high-dose fractionated radiotherapy– without fatal irradiation toxicity. This is an excellent mouse model for testing orthotopic brain tumor therapies in combination with radiation therapy.</p

MycoBank gearing up for new horizons.

MycoBank, a registration system for fungi established in 2004 to capture all taxonomic novelties, acts as a coordination hub between repositories such as Index Fungorum and Fungal Names. Since January 2013, registration of fungal names is a mandatory requirement for valid publication under the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants (ICN). This review explains the database innovations that have been implemented over the past few years, and discusses new features such as advanced queries, registration of typification events (MBT numbers for lecto, epi- and neotypes), the multi-lingual database interface, the nomenclature discussion forum, annotation system, and web services with links to third parties. MycoBank has also introduced novel identification services, linking DNA sequence data to numerous related databases to enable intelligent search queries. Although MycoBank fills an important void for taxon registration, challenges for the future remain to improve links between taxonomic names and DNA data, and to also introduce a formal system for naming fungi known from DNA sequence data only. To further improve the quality of MycoBank data, remote access will now allow registered mycologists to act as MycoBank curators, using Citrix software

EMbaRC - A European Consortium of Microbial Resource Centres for Science & lnnovation

EMbaRC is an EU project funded under the Seventh Framework Programme, Research lnfrastructures action. lt aims to improve, coordinate and validate microbial Biological Resource Centres (BRC) delivery to European and lnternational researchers from both public and private sectors. Apart from the networking and research activities, EMbaRC offers EU-supported grants for Trans-national Access opportunities. Scientists who carry out research in Europe or Associated Countries can use EMbaRC infrastructures to support part of their research project. ln this presentation, the main achievements of the first year will be summarized. Networking activities allow i) an estimation of overlapping/uniqueness between the consortium holdings, ii) a deep analysis of strain deposit after publication, iii) a review of the training offered by the consortium in the collection management and associated tools (identification, data management, etc.), iv) an harmonisation of the quality manual, v) a first draft for a biosecurity code, and vi) establish the basis of a common strategy to increase the sustainability of BRCs. Joint Research activities focused in particular on storage of recalcitrant strains, DNA storage and species identification by new methods like mass spectrometry ... ln parallel, success stories are being gathered to support the idea that microbial collections contribute to the bioeconomy. Such achievements can be a way to increase the sustainability of collections, and some of them will be presented

Grants for trans-national access to leading European Microbial Biological Resource Centres (BRCs) - EMbaRC training and outreach programme

The EMbaRC Training and Outreach Programme (TOP) is an opportunity for scientists to stay atone of the EMbaRC centres to benefit from expert advice and to use advanced equipment to support part of their research project. EMbaRC will cover the bench fees, travel and subsistence costs. This unique opportunity for training in collection management, identification of bacteria and fungi by stateof-the-art techniques or phenotypic screening of a collection of strains is organised with the support of the Seventh Framework Programme, Research lnfrastructures Action

Concerns about anti-angiogenic treatment in patients with glioblastoma multiforme

BACKGROUND: The relevance of angiogenesis inhibition in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) should be considered in the unique context of malignant brain tumours. Although patients benefit greatly from reduced cerebral oedema and intracranial pressure, this important clinical improvement on its own may not be considered as an anti-tumour effect. DISCUSSION: GBM can be roughly separated into an angiogenic component, and an invasive or migratory component. Although this latter component seems inert to anti-angiogenic therapy, it is of major importance for disease progression and survival. We reviewed all relevant literature. Published data support that clinical symptoms are tempered by anti-angiogenic treatment, but that tumour invasion continues. Unfortunately, current imaging modalities are affected by anti-angiogenic treatment too, making it even harder to define tumour margins. To illustrate this we present MRI, biopsy and autopsy specimens from bevacizumab-treated patients. Moreover, while treatment of other tumour types may be improved by combining chemotherapy with anti-angiogenic drugs, inhibiting angiogenesis in GBM may antagonise the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs by normalising the blood-brain barrier function. SUMMARY: Although angiogenesis inhibition is of considerable value for symptom reduction in GBM patients, lack of proof of a true anti-tumour effect raises concerns about the place of this type of therapy in the treatment of GBM

Studies in Perenniporia: Polyporus unitus, Boletus medulla-panis, the nomenclature of Perenniporia, Poria and Physisporus, and a note on European Perenniporia with a resupinate basidiome

The status and identities of Polyporus unitus, type of Perenniporia Murrill, of Boletus medulla-panis, their supposed synonymy, and the nomenclatural status of Perenniporia, Poria, and Physisporus are discussed. It is demonstrated, based on the study of its type, that Pol. unitus is not a synonym of B. medulla-panis even in the historically wider context than that recognised here. Although not precisely identifiable, the type of Pol. unitus does not belong to Perenniporia in its current sense, which is based on B. medulla-panis. Poria Pers. and Physisporus Chevall. are discussed as possible generic names for B. medulla-panis and related taxa. However, in view of the need for nomenclatural stability, it is proposed to maintain Perenniporia as currently accepted, with B. medulla-panis as conserved type. This name is epitypified and Perenniporia medulla-panis redefined. Based on a study of European specimens, two species are recognized within the historical circumscription of P medulla-panis, Perenniporia ineridionalis being described as new. Both species are compared with other European taxa with resupinate basidiomes and a key to all these taxa is presented