Yukiko Yamada

Morphological chance in Candida tropicalis pK 233 caused by ethanol and its prevention by myo-inositol

The cells of Candida tropicalis pK 233 grew in filamentous form when cultivated in a synthetic medium supplemented with ethanol. The ethanol-grown cells excreted significant amounts of polysaccharides into culture medium. Myo-inositol added simultaneously with ethanol prevented both the morphological change and the extracellular production of polysaccharides.

Myocardial size and fibrosis changes during left ventricular assist device support.

Previous studies have demonstrated that left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation significantly decreases myocyte size and reduces fibrosis of the left ventricle (LV). The objectives of the present study were to evaluate LV functional recovery after LVAD implantation and to assess its predictive factors, including histological findings of LV. Six patients with idiopathic cardiomyopathy underwent LVAD support with an EVAHEART implantable centrifugal pump (Sun Medical Technology Research, Nagano, Japan) for an average support duration of 2.91 years. Histologic samples were obtained from their LV apexes at the time of implantation. At 1 month and at 24 months after implantation, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and echocardiographic parameters were evaluated. Brain natriuretic peptide values, LV end-diastolic dimension, LV end-systolic dimension, functional shortening, and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) were improved after LVAD implantation. Patients with developing fibrosis had longer durations of heart-failure history and higher pulmonary artery pressures. Patients with hypertrophic myocytes had smaller FS preoperatively. There was a correlation between the amount of fibrosis and the rate of BNP value change after LVAD implantation. In patients with less fibrosis and smaller myocytes preoperatively, improvement in LV function was observed during LVAD support.

Production of Extracellular Glutathione by Candida tropicalis Pk 233

Summary: Candida tropicalis Pk 233 produced extracellular glutathione during growth in filamentous form caused by adding ethanol (≥ 2.5%, v/v). The intracellular concentration of glutathione also was greater in cultures with added ethanol. myo-Inositol added at a physiological concentration (5 μg ml−1) prevented the ethanol-induced production of extracellular glutathione as well as the morphological change. In batch culture, production of extracellular glutathione was optimal at an ethanol concentration of 5%, and reached a maximum concentration of 42 mg ml−1 after 96 h cultivation, before decreasing gradually.