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Biomedical subjects

A Botha

Publications and source records attributed to A Botha.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Physiological properties and fatty acid composition in Mucor circinelloides f. circinelloides.

Sporangiospores of Mucor circinelloides f. circinelloides CBS108.16 could germinate and grow on a wide variety of carbon sources in synthetic liquid media. Growth was supported by aldoses which have the same configuration at carbon atom number two as glucose. Di- and trisaccharides consisting of D-glucopyranosyl moieties were assimilated, while polysaccharides like inuline and starch were also utilised. Various alcohols and organic acids could be assimilated, while the phenolic compounds tested could not support aerobic growth. The fungus was able to ferment carbohydrates consisting of D-glucopyranosyl moieties, grow in the absence of vitamins and in the presence of cycloheximide. It also liquefied gelatin and produced lipases and cellulolytic enzymes. It was found that the highest percentages polyunsaturated fatty acids were produced when acetic acid, glucose, mannitol, soluble starch or trehalose was used as carbon source. The absence of vitamins in the medium lowered the percentage of these fatty acids.

Acids↗
PubMed1997

Lipomyces mesembrius sp. nov., a member of the L. starkeyi species-complex.

Lipomyces starkeyi is known to be associated with three strains-clusters showing high mutual nDNA reassociation within each cluster, but which reassociate ambiguously with the type of L. starkeyi. Representative strains of L. starkeyi and Cluster alpha were examined for possible genetic exchange by the prototrophic selection technique. Since no genetic recombination was detected, the strains are presumed to be genetically isolated. Cluster alpha is consequently assigned to the rank of species as Lipomyces mesembrius. A description of the new species is given. Lipomyces kononenkoae ssp. spencermartinsiae has been raised to the rank of species as L. spencermartinsiae.

Classification↗
PubMed1997

The production of gamma-linolenic acid by selected members of the Dikaryomycota grown on different carbon sources.

In this study, seven fungal strains, representing different phylogenetic groups within the Dikaryomycota, were tested for the presence of gamma-linolenic acid [18:3(omega 6)], when grown in synthetic liquid media devoid of fatty acids, on a series of 40 different carbon sources. The fungal strains represented the species Dipodascopsis uninucleata, Eurotium rubrum, Galactomyces geotrichum, Neurospora crassa, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Spongipellis unicolor and Talaromyces flavus. Cultures were periodically harvested during growth and the fatty acids in the total lipids analysed as methyl esters, using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. It was found that 18:3(omega 6) is present in E. rubrum CBS 350.65, S. unicolor CBS 117.16 and in T. flavus CBS 310.38NT, when these strains were grown on certain carbon sources. No correlation between the growth phase of the organism and the presence of 18:3(omega 6) could be detected. In order to confirm the production of 18:3(omega 6), the lipid metabolism of two unrelated dikaryomycotan fungi (S. unicolor CBS 117.16 and E. rubrum CBS 350.65) grown on two different carbon sources each, was examined. Cultures of E. rubrum CBS 350.65 were grown on glucose and sorbose and cultures of S. unicolor CBS 117.16 on glucose and sucrose in synthetic liquid media with a C:N ratio of 50:1 (w/w). The total lipids of these cultures were fractionated and the fatty acids in the fractions analysed as methyl esters, using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The lipid metabolism of both E. rubrum CBS 350.65 and S. unicolor CBS 117.16 differed on the two carbon sources used. The ab initio production of 18:3(omega 6) by E. rubrum CBS 350.65 in synthetic liquid media was confirmed. In contrast, the ab initio production of 18:3(omega 6) by S. unicolor CBS 117.16 in synthetic liquid media could not be confirmed.

Acids↗
PubMed1993

Application of fatty acid profiles in the identification of yeasts.

In order to develop a rapid yeast identification technique using fatty acid profiles, an extensive survey has been conducted in our laboratory on the long-chain fatty acid composition (CLFAC) of yeasts representing the endomycetous and basidiomycetous yeast domain. It was accomplished by cultivating the yeast strains under standardized conditions in a synthetic liquid medium. When stationary phase was reached the cells of each culture were freeze-dried and the CLFAC was examined by gas chromatography. It was found that the fatty acid profile obtained for each strain was reproducible. However, as work progressed, it became clear that variation exists within species and that the relative percentages of some strains from different species may overlap. Identification of species could therefore not be achieved in all attempts, even when the resolution of the fatty acid analyses was enhanced by using capillary columns, useful for the detection of minor fatty acids. When used in isolation, CLFAC analyses is therefore not a generally applicable identification technique for yeast species. However, the technique was found to be a valuable chemotaxanomical tool to distinguish between strains of certain species, species of certain genera and species from particular environments. The technique currently finds application in the South African food and beverage industry as a quick, cheap and easy way to distinguish between strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It is also used by an industry which produces bioprotein from Geotrichum candidum, to determine fungal contaminants in a quality control process.

Fatty Acids↗
PubMed1993

The distribution and taxonomic value of fatty acids and eicosanoids in the Lipomycetaceae and Dipodascaceae.

Using radioimmunoassay, blood platelet aggregation studies and GC-MS the existence of prostaglandins in the endomycetalean yeast Dipodascopsis uninucleata was confirmed by our group. These findings triggered the search for similar eicosanoids in the rest of the Endomycetales. We commenced by scanning for the easily detectable precursors of eicosanoids, linoleic- and linolenic acid. We selected two families (i.e. Lipomycetaceae and Dipodascaceae), both producing these precursors, for further investigation. Representative strains of the two families were tested for their ability to grow in the presence of 1 mM aspirin, a specific inhibitor of prostaglandin biosynthesis. In contrast to the lipomycetaceous species the dipodascaceous species were insensitive to this drug. These results were verified when representative strains of both families were investigated for their ability to produce eicosanoids from externally fed radio-labeled arachidonic acid along an aspirin sensitive pathway. Thin layer chromatography of culture extracts, followed by autoradiography, showed that while none of the Dipodascaceae produced aspirin sensitive arachidonic acid metabolites, the members of the Lipomycetaceae tested positive for these metabolites. These findings supported the separation of the lipomycetaceous yeast Dipodascopsis from the Dipodascaceae. The findings also correlate with the delimitation of these yeasts in two families (i.e. Dipodascaceae and Lipomycetaceae). Further investigation indicated that prostaglandin production by the genus Dipodascopsis is mainly associated with ascosporogenesis. Thin layer chromatography of cell extracts from Dipodascopsis tóthii, followed by scintillation counting, indicated the presence of PGF2 alpha and PGE2 during ascosporogenesis.

Arachidonic Acid↗
PubMed1993

[Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty].

Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty is a cardiologic technique utilised for increasing the luminal diameter of a coronary artery with an atheroma lesion without performing major surgery. Nursing these patients requires specific nursing interventions. Patient education, both before and after the procedure, is most important. Meticulous assessment and monitoring of the patient's ECG, other vital signs and the site of the sheath must be maintained and the nurse needs to plan her nursing actions according to these requirements.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1992

Evidence for, and taxonomic value of, an arachidonic acid cascade in the Lipomycetaceae.

By using specific inhibitors of the lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase pathways, arachidonic acid metabolites with similar sensitivities towards these inhibitors as in humans, were detected in Dipodascopsis uninucleata. The taxonomic value of aspirin sensitive arachidonic acid metabolites in the Lipomycetaceae was next assessed. No metabolites of which the production is inhibited by aspirin were detected in strains representing the following species: Lipomyces starkeyi, Lipomyces kononenkoae, Lipomyces tetrasporus, Myxozyma melibiosi, Myxozyma mucilagina, Myxozyma kluyveri, Waltomyces lipofer, Zygozyma oligophaga and Zygozyma arxii. The detection of such aspirin sensitive arachidonic acid metabolites in representative strains of Lipomyces anomalus and the genus Dipodascopsis, emphasises the isolated position of these taxa in the genus Lipomyces and the family Lipomycetaceae, respectively. Finally using long chain fatty acid analyses, electrophoretic karyotyping and other phenotypic characters, a phylogenetic scheme is proposed for some genera in the Lipomycetaceae.

Arachidonic Acid↗
PubMed1992

Helicopter doctors?

All roadside procedures carried out by doctors of the Royal London Hospital Helicopter Emergency Medical Service were recorded. Of 100 injured patients treated consecutively, 68 patients required 73 treatments or procedures that were beyond the current training of the ambulance paramedic in the United Kingdom. Doctors are therefore an essential part of HEMS operations and allow earlier live-saving medical intervention in the prehospital phase of care.

Aircraft↗
PubMed1992

An exploratory study of the ways in which mothers keep their infants occupied.

The mother child relationship can help or hinder the social, emotional and intellectual development of the infant. Research has shown that the interaction between mother and child can affect the child's cognitive development. Research has shown that mothers from the lower socio-economic groups do not stimulate their babies optimally and that this may affect the children negatively. In this study 86 underprivileged mothers from two different cultural backgrounds were asked to describe the ways in which they kept their infants occupied during the first year of their infants' lives. The differences between the two groups are discussed and recommendations are made.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Experiences of motherhood: a cross-cultural study.

Since the mother plays a vital role in the development of her offspring and in the well-being of the family a study was made of the experiences of motherhood amongst two groups of mothers. The groups comprised a group of Tswana speaking and a group of Afrikaans speaking mothers from the Pretoria area. Eighty six mothers between the ages of 18 and 30 years, all of whom had had nine to twelve years of schooling, were interviewed. the mothers from the two groups were matched for age, occupation and years of schooling. The adjustments which they made to their lifestyles during the first year of life of their first babies were investigated. The results obtained were subjected to a content analysis. The results show, amongst other things that problems were experienced in respect of the involvement of the father and that there were differences in adjustment in extended and nuclear families. Recommendations are made with a view to assisting mothers during the critical period.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1989

The effect of dimethyldicarbonate on vegetative growth and ascospores of Byssochlamys fulva suspended in apple juice and strawberry nectar.

The effect of dimethyldicarbonate (DMDC) on vegetative growth elements as well as ascospores of two strains of Byssochlamys fulva was investigated. Using apple juice as the suspending medium, vegetative growth was found to be sensitive to the compound at concentrations of 25 to 75 mg/l; temperature had a marked influence on lethality, with treatment at higher temperature being far more lethal than low temperature treatment; ascospores were highly resistant to the compound, with no evidence of any lethal effects being found even at the highest concentration used (1,000 mg/l). An inoculated pack study, designed to simulate the use of DMDC in fruit juices under practical conditions, was performed using commercially packaged apple juice or strawberry nectar as the suspending media. Packs, equilibrated to temperatures of 10 degrees C or 30 degrees C, were aseptically inoculated with low numbers of either vegetative elements or ascospores and were treated with varying levels of DMDC. Mould development was monitored over a four week period. Whereas vegetative growth was controlled at DMDC concentrations of 50 to 100 mg/l at a treatment temperature of 30 degrees C, ascospores displayed a great tolerance to the compound and survived exposure even in low numbers to high DMDC concentrations.

Ascomycota↗
PubMed1985

Sterol synthesis in vitro in freshly isolated blood mononuclear leukocytes from familial hypercholesterolemic patients treated with probucol.

Sterol synthesis rates were measured in freshly isolated blood mononuclear leukocytes obtained from familial hypercholesterolemic patients undergoing treatment with either probucol alone or probucol plus cholestyramine. Subjects with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia on probucol had a significant 31% reduction in mononuclear cell sterol synthesis rates as compared to control patients; sterol synthesis in cells from homozygous familial hypercholesterolemic patients on probucol did not differ from that in control subjects. Addition of cholestyramine to probucol therapy in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemic patients caused an increase in sterol synthesis rates equal to but not greater than control values, thus negating the decreased mononuclear leukocyte sterol synthesis associated with probucol administration alone. Probucol treatment effectively decreased plasma cholesterol levels in both homozygous and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemic subjects; however, the data suggest that the drug may exert different effects on sterol synthesis in peripheral tissues depending upon the presence or absence of cellular receptors for low-density lipoproteins.

Cholesterol↗
PubMed1985

Hormonal and biochemical responses to transcendental meditation.

This study was designed to assess whether transcendental meditation (TM) could influence various endocrine responses in 10 experienced male meditators. Nine matched subjects, uninformed of the TM procedure, acted as controls. Meditators successfully practised their technique for 40 min in the morning while controls relaxed for this period. No significant differences emerged between these 2 groups with respect to carbohydrate metabolism (plasma glucose, insulin and pancreatic glucagon concentrations), pituitary hormones (growth hormone and prolactin) or the 'stress' hormones, cortisol and total catecholamines-although meditators tended to have higher mean catecholamine levels. Plasma free fatty acids were significantly elevated in meditators 40 min after completing the period of TM. No clear evidence was thus obtained that any of the stress, or stress-related, hormones were suppressed during or after meditation in the particular setting examined.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Nifedipine does not impair the hormonal responses to graded exercise in healthy subjects.

The aim of this study was to assess whether the potent calcium antagonist nifedipine was capable of modifying the hormonal response to graded exercise in 7 healthy young men. After fasting overnight, each subject came to the laboratory on 2 consecutive mornings. On one day he was given 10 mg of nifedipine sublingually and on the other an identical placebo capsule; the order was randomised in a double-blind fashion over the 2 days. Thereafter each subject performed 2 successive short treadmill runs, equivalent to 60 and 100%, respectively, of maximal aerobic power. While significantly blunting the rise in mean systolic blood pressure and inducing a greater fall in diastolic blood pressure during and after exercise compared with the placebo, nifedipine did not impair the brisk response to pituitary-adrenal hormones (ACTH, cortisol and total catecholamines). Nifedipine also did not modify the effects of short-term exercise in raising mean plasma glucose levels, stimulating pancreatic glucagon secretion and producing a delayed increase in plasma insulin concentrations. Nor did the drug blunt the significant rise of growth hormone and prolactin levels occurring during and after the treadmill run. It was concluded that, apart from inducing significant changes in blood pressure, a single dose of nifedipine does not appear to suppress the counterregulatory hormonal responses to short-term physical activity in healthy men.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗