Identification of genes involved in fungal responses to strigolactones using mutants from fungal pathogens.

Strigolactones (SLs) as components of root exudates induce hyphal branching of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi which is thought to favor the establishment of the beneficial symbiosis. Little is known on how AM fungi respond to SLs. Since AM fungi are poor model systems due to their obligate biotrophism and the lack of genetic transformation protocols, we took advantage of the sensitivity of several phytopathogenic fungi to GR24, a synthetic SLs analog. With the aim to identify the molecular determinants involved in SLs response in AM fungi and assuming conserved mechanisms in the fungal kingdom, we exploited the fungal pathogens Botrytis cinerea and Cryphonectria parasitica, for which mutant collections are available. Exposure of B. cinerea and C. parasitica to GR24 embedded in solid medium led to reduction of fungal radial growth. We set up the screening of a set of well-characterized gene deletion mutants to isolate genotypes with altered responses to SLs. Two B. cinerea mutants (defective of BcTrr1, a thioredoxin reductase and BcLTF1, a GATA transcription factor) turned out to be less responsive to GR24. One feature shared by the two mutants is the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Indeed, an oxidizing effect was observed in a B. cinerea strain expressing a redox-sensitive GFP2 in the mitochondrial intermembrane space upon exposure to GR24. ROS and mitochondria are, therefore, emerging as mediators of SLs actions.

New polyolefin foil for 5-day storage of platelet concentrates (PC) collected by apheresis.

In a paired study 12 platelet concentrates (PC) of Fresenius AS-104 cell separator were stored in new polyolefin bags of Fresenius (LE2) and Fenwal PL-732 bags. On day 0 and after 3 and 5 days of storage pH, pO2, pCO2, cell counts, platelet morphology and aggregability, plasma glucose, lactate, LDH and beta TG were determined. The overall changes fell within the expected range. No relevant differences between the two bags could be detected, although a few parameters (pH, pCO2) are slightly but statistically/significantly different. It can be concluded that the new polyolefin bag is well suited for 5-day storage of PC's from the AS-104.

Long-term treatment with diazepam. Investigation of consumption habits and the interaction between psychotherapy and psychopharmacotherapy: a prospective study.

In a prospective study over 6 months involving 54 psychiatric outpatients with neurotic disorders, the habits of diazepam or placebo intake and the attitudes towards psychotherapy and the medication were studied. The patients, divided into two groups, received in a double-blind setting either diazepam or placebo. They were also seen for psychotherapy every 14 days. The patients were advised to use the medication according to their personal needs but not to take more than 6 tablets of 6 mg diazepam (or placebo) daily. All patients showed controlled use of the drug. No dependency was observed. The patients stopped taking the medication gradually in each group, but faster in the placebo group. 18% of the placebo group and 52% of the diazepam group were 'high' consumers (more than 200 tablets within a period of at least 20 weeks). The intake of the drug was mainly dictated by the symptoms. A second important factor modifying the intake habits was the fear of possible adverse effects of the medication. At the end of the treatment period the attitude towards psychotherapy was more favorable than that towards psychopharmacotherapy irrespective of the drug taken. Long-term intake of diazepam did not lead to a decrease in the motivation of working through the existing problems. In contrast, the diazepam group felt less than the placebo group that medication could be a long-term solution for personal or social problems.