Effect of electrolyzed water on wound healing.

Electrolyzed water accelerated the healing of full-thickness cutaneous wounds in rats, but only anode chamber water (acid pH or neutralized) was effective. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), also produced by electrolysis, was ineffective, suggesting that these types of electrolyzed water enhance wound healing by a mechanism unrelated to the well-known antibacterial action of HOCl. One possibility is that reactive oxygen species, shown to be electron spin resonance spectra present in anode chamber water, might trigger early wound healing through fibroblast migration and proliferation.

Determination of anti-Aspergillus activity of antifungal agents based on the dynamic growth rate of a single hypha.

The dynamic growth rate of a single hypha of Aspergillus niger was analysed using an automatic system. A colony of A. niger was in contact with saline, saline containing an antifungal agent, and flushing saline, in sequence. The growth rate of a test hypha selected arbitrarily from the colony responded dynamically to the antifungal agent. The minimum concentration that caused the complete inhibition of hyphal growth was defined as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The MIC values obtained were compared with those determined by conventional methods based on increasing rate of colony diameter or dry matter weight.

Effects of antimycotics on the biosynthesis of cellular macromolecules in Aspergillus niger protoplasts.

The effects of nine antimycotics on the biosynthesis of cellular macromolecules were analyzed using the regenerating system of protoplasts of Aspergillus niger. The incorporation of several specific radioactive precursors into major cellular components were measured in the presence or in the absence of respective agents. Miconazole, ketoconazole, and tolnaftate inhibited the lipid synthesis. 5-Fluorocytosine strongly inhibited the DNA and protein syntheses. Griseofulvin, however, specifically inhibited the synthesis of cell wall polysaccharides, i.e. chitin and glucan. Other agents showed non-specific inhibition effects. The significance of morphological change of hypha as an indicator of antimycotic action and its feasibility as a screening tool for novel antimycotic compounds are discussed.

Automatic evaluation of antifungal volatile compounds on the basis of the dynamic growth process of a single hypha.

An automatic analysing system was developed and employed for the evaluation of antifungal activity of volatile compounds in the gas phase. Aspergillus niger was inoculated on agar medium in the reaction vessel. The reaction vessel was incubated at 28 degrees C for 24 h and then a volatile compound was introduced into the vessel either in a batch or flow manner. The antifungal activity of the respective compounds estimated in situ was expressed by the dynamic response parameters of a single hypha. All volatiles tested in the present system inhibited hyphal growth, except linalyl acetate: Limone and geraniol were the most inhibitory. In contrast, linalyl acetate promoted hyphal growth. By definition of the parameters, the fungicidal and fungistatic effects could be distinguished.

Automatic antifungal activity analyzing system on the basis of dynamic growth process of a single hypha.

A system for the evaluation of antifungal activity of volatile compounds has been developed that is based on dynamic growth of a single hypha. The newly developed system is composed of a reaction vessel under a microscope, automatic stage, charge coupled device (CCD) camera, TV monitor, video tape recorder (VTR), and a microcomputer. A fungus was inoculated in the reaction vessel containing agar medium and then was treated with an antifungal reagent in the gas phase either in batch or flow reaction manner. The apex of a growing hypha displayed on a TV monitor was followed automatically. From the ratio of the growth rate under exposure of a reagent (UEXPO) to the growth rate before the exposure (UPRE), the antifungal activity was expressed quantitatively.

Evaluation of antifungal activity of antimycotics by automatic analyzing system.

Antifungal activity of several antimycotics has been evaluated using an automatic analyzing system (AAS), which is composed of a specially designed reaction vessel, microscopic observation system, image analyzing system, and computer program for automatic tracing of hypha growth. The agar plate was prepared on the ceiling of the reaction vessel, and spore mass of a fungus (Aspergillus niger) was inoculated onto it. After the preincubation at 28 degrees C for 24 h the reaction vessel was set on a microscope stage and connected to the liquid flow system. An appropriate hypha was selected for the measurement of growth process during the following steps: first contact with saline for 30 min for the adaptation, the second contact with same saline for 30 min, contact with saline containing an antimycotic substance for 60 min, and contact with flushing saline for 60 min. During a sequence of these steps, the apical tip of a growing hypha displayed on a TV monitor was followed automatically. The dynamic response of hypha to an agent was analyzed by several parameters. Morphological changes of the hypha caused by respective agents were recorded on VTR for further analysis. By using this system, the antifungal activity of antimycotics could be quantitatively determined within several hours.