, 2010). The difference between the two systems might also appear in temporal response characteristics, as suggested by the different onset time in the late response component. However, with our large panel of odorants and measured glomeruli, we could not confirm that early odor-response onset differs, as shown in electrophysiological recordings of projection neurons (Müller et al., www.selleckchem.com/products/pf-562271.html 2002). It is conceivable that the late response in our data is influenced by network activity, and that the delay difference reflects different odor-processing networks in the lAPT and mAPT. Indeed, optically recording from the synaptic boutons of PNs in their target area, the mushroom bodies,

indicates that lAPT and mAPT differ in tuning width and odor-concentration invariance (Yamagata et al., 2009). Finally, the two systems might differ in the biological significance of their odor-processing. Many social pheromones consist of substances that are also present in nature in other circumstances. Isoamyl acetate, for example, is the main component of the honeybee alarm pheromone (Boch et al., 1962), but it is also a common plant odor component (Knudsen check details et al., 1993). Thus, the bee needs

to code for the same substances in two different behavioral contexts (for instance colony defense and food search), and these may correspond to the parallel olfactory tracts in the brain. We show here that it is possible to record brain activity from otherwise inaccessible areas using a gold-sputtered mirror and wide-field microscopy. We applied this technique to the question of odor-coding in the honeybee antennal lobe, which comprises two subsystems, one located frontally, and the other one to the sides and posteriorly. Using a bath-applied calcium-sensitive dye emphasizing activity from the receptor neurons we found that odor-responses in the mAPT are larger, and that the second response component is delayed, though the distribution of both parameters was highly overlapping. On the other hand, we found that response probability, odor-response range, and in particular response onset

time did not differ between mAPT and lAPT, indicating that overall odor coding strategies might not differ between the two subsystems. In Adenosine many other brain studies, neurons located laterally need to be recorded. We propose that the use of minute mirrors to record from otherwise inaccessible brain parts has a large potential in neuroscience research. JCS, CGG, RM and TF conceived and planned the experiments, JCS and TF developed the mirror technique, most measurements and data analysis were done by TF with input from JCS and CGG. CGG wrote the first draft of the manuscript, and all authors edited and contributed to the manuscript. “
“The authors regret an inaccuracy in one of the references of the above paper, when originally published. In the reference list, the following reference Todd, L., Walton, J., 2005.

While this suggests a seemingly broad connectivity pattern between PPC and FEF, separable pathways may be functionally distinct. Evidence for functional specialization distributed within the frontoparietal network has been found in a study that examined connectivity patterns of different network nodes [42••]. Two pathways between frontal cortex and PPC were identified using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and probabilistic tractography, and functional interactions of activity evoked during attention tasks: first, a lateral

pathway connecting FEF and IPS2 and second, a medial pathway connecting the supplementary eye field (SEF) and SPL1 (Figure 3). Intriguingly, AZD2281 datasheet these two pathways appear to mediate different functions. The IPS2-FEF pathway

supports attentional selection in retinotopic, or viewer-centered spatial coordinates, whereas the SEF-SPL1 pathway supports attentional selections based on an object-centered spatial reference frame. Thus, CYC202 datasheet the multiple topographic representations in PPC may code for attentional priorities in different spatial reference frames. In sum, a growing body of research demonstrates the broad involvement of frontoparietal cortex in space-based, feature-based, object-based, and category-based selection, Resminostat consistent with the possible existence of domain-general control centers within the human control network (see Figure 2). An important question that remains unresolved is how a single network can flexibly generate a diverse range of control signals depending on current task demands. Further studies are needed to determine whether separable selection mechanisms are subserved by true domain-general neuronal populations or whether each mechanism recruits distinct subpopulations of neurons within the same regions 23 and 26]. Relatedly,

it remains an open question what individual roles subregions within the network may play in the generation of attentional control signals. The existence of 14 topographic representations in human PPC alone seems, on the face of it, excessive and redundant. As such, an investigation into potential functional dissociations between subunits is warranted. DTI studies lend some support to this line of inquiry, as IPS can be largely subdivided based on structural connectivity patterns alone 37 and 40]. Given that the functional properties of a brain region are necessarily constrained by its anatomical connections, these data imply that subunits of IPS may very well be functionally distinct, but carefully implemented imaging studies are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.

23–1.15 (m, H-9), 1.23–1.15 and 0.79–0.72 (m, 2H-10), 1.50 (dd, J = 10.4 and 8.3 Hz, H-8), 1.56 (s, 3H-18), 1.66 (s, 3H-19), 1.90 (s, 3H-20), 2.27 (m, 2H-14), 2.27–2.03 and 1.71–1.68 (m, 2H-11), 4.09 (dd, J = 9.6 and 6.2 Hz, H-1), 4.66 (dd, J = 6.3 Hz, H-13), 5.14 (d, J = 9.4 Hz, DAPT in vivo H-3), 5.24 (d, J = 9.4 Hz, H-4), 6.25 (d, J = 10.4 Hz, H-7). 13C NMR: 10.15 (C-19), 12.08 (C-20), 15.43 (C-18), 16.12 (C-16), 25.36 (C-10), 27.73 (C-15), 28.08 (C-8), 29.25 (C-17), 31.66 (C-14), 35.67 (C-9), 39.85 (C-11), 67.82 (C-4), 77.64 (C-1), 119.72 (C-13), 125.48 (C-3), 134.61 (C-6), 137.39

(C-12), 144.02 (C-2), 145.11 (C-7), 199.74 (C-5). MS (70 eV, %) m/z 318 ([M] +, absent), 300 (2), 282 (2), 150 (14), 135 (30), 121 (22), 107 (44). The bacterial strains Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus sobrinus, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus oralis were maintained in BHI/glycerol (20%) (Brain Heart Infusion-Difco©) at −80 °C. For the experiments 100 μL aliquot from the stock was inoculated in 10 mL of sterile BHI broth and incubated at a 10% CO2 condition at 37 °C for 24 h. After this initial activation, the culture was renewed in 10 mL of sterile BHI broth with 100 μL inoculum and grown under the same conditions described above for 18 h. This renewal was made to obtain a microorganism with better growth and development.

For antimicrobial activity tests, the cell GDC-0199 order density was adjusted at a concentration of 107 CFU/mL. Tests of agar disc diffusion were used as trial for CD antimicrobial action against the bacteria tested. This methodology was developed accordingly with Performance Standards for Antimicrobial Disc Susceptibility Tests: Approved Standard – Tenth Edition. CLSI document M02-A10. As standard, amoxicillin and chlorhexidine were used. Antimicrobial action of CD was determined by microdilution test in 96-wells polystyrene plates, standardized according with guideline Methods for Dilution Antimicrobial Susceptibility Tests for Bacteria That Grow Aerobically:

Approved Standard – Sixth Edition. CLSI document M7-A6. Different concentrations of CD were prepared and tested through serial dilution (31.25–500 μg/mL). As positive control it was used chlorhexidine at 250 μg/mL. The MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) was considered the lowest concentration of CD that resulted in visible second absence of bacterial growth. To determine the MBC (minimal bactericidal concentration) 50 μL of bacterial suspension from the wells corresponding to each concentration tested were inoculated in 5 mL of sterile BHI broth medium and incubated for 24 h 37 °C CO2 10%. MBC was considered the lowest concentration that inhibited completely bacterial growth at the medium. For statistical analysis the different CD concentration groups were compared with 250 μg/mL chlorhexidine group. Saliva was collected and processed according to the protocol of Guggenheim and colleagues.

The rest of the cells were also inhibited in anchorage-independent growth assays after NVP-AUY922 treatment (0.1 μM). Primary cultures from colorectal tumors were also inhibited by both Hsp90 inhibitors, even though the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was higher than the IC50 of the cell lines. Interestingly, the primary culture HCUVA-CC-34 was inhibited Selleck Cyclopamine only 43.8 ± 4.4% with 17-AAG and 40.4 ± 7.8% with NVP-AUY922 at the maximum concentration

used of 10 μM in anchorage-dependent growth assays ( Figure 1, E and F). In addition, anchorage-independent growth of the HCUVA-CC-34 primary cell culture was moderately inhibited by 17-AAG and by NVP-AUY922 only at the highest concentration used ( Figure 2, C and D). We performed

cell cycle analyses and found that pancreatic carcinoma IMIM-PC-2 cells accumulated in the G1 phase of the cell cycle upon 24 hours of 17-AAG or NVP-AUY922 treatment, followed by an accumulation in the sub-G1 phase, indicative of cell death, after 48 or 72 hours of Hsp90 inhibitor treatment (Figure 3, A and C). However, pancreatic carcinoma IMIM-PC-1 cells accumulated in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, followed by an increase in the sub-G1 phase with both inhibitors ( Figure 3, A and C). The pancreatic cell line CFPAC-1 accumulated in the G2/M phase and only slightly in sub-G1, RO4929097 supplier and PANC-1 did not experience any change upon 17-AAG exposure ( Figure 3A), suggesting that both CFPAC-1 and PANC-1 cells are unresponsive to 17-AAG but sensitive to NVP-AUY922 treatment. Conversely, when these cells were treated with NVP-AUY922, they accumulated considerably in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle

followed by an increase in the sub-G1 phase ( Figure 3C). Colorectal carcinoma cell lines HT-29 and SW620 accumulated in the G2/M and sub-G1 phases upon treatment with 17-AAG or NVP-AUY922. Especially, the G2/M arrest induced by 17-AAG treatment was very noticeable in HT29 cells ( Figure 3, B and D). LoVo cells mainly accumulated in the sub-G1 phase with both inhibitors, whereas Caco-2 cells barely accumulated in the G2/M phase with 17-AAG but instead were arrested in this phase and also accumulated in sub-G1 after NVP-AUY922 treatment. This indicates Adenosine that LoVo cells are sensitive to 17-AAG and NVP-AUY922, but Caco-2 cells are practically unresponsive to 17-AAG but sensitive to NVP-AUY922 treatment. To determine whether 17-AAG and NVP-AUY922 were able to downregulate Hsp90 protein clients such as EGFR family members, we performed Western blot analyses and found that indeed EGFR and HER2 down-regulation could be detected within 4 hours of 17-AAG treatment in sensitive cell lines but not in cell lines resistant to 17-AAG (Figure 4A). In addition, EGFR and HER2 receptors were even more efficiently downregulated within 4 hours of NVP-AUY922 exposure ( Figure 4A).

The net effect of D1-receptor - expressing Go cells is to ‘open the gate’ by facilitating recurrent thalamo-cortical information flow, whereas D2-receptor-expressing NoGo cells ‘close the gate’ by blocking thalamo-cortical information flow. By this scheme, a planned motor action represented cortically might trigger the activation of Go cells via a corticostriatal projection, in turn facilitating a projection from thalamus

to the primary motor neurons responsible SAHA HDAC for enacting specific movements. At the same time, alternative action plans would trigger NoGo cells and so would have negligible thalamocortical influence. A variety of recent evidence has offered novel support for this framework. Go and NoGo cells are coactive when animals are motorically active, but not quiescent [7], in particular when action VE-821 sequences are being initiated [8] — all consistent with a role for these cells in gating for action selection as opposed to a more general pro-kinetic vs. anti-kinetic dichotomy between Go and NoGo cells. Further evidence for this framework has recently been provided by optogenetic techniques [9••]. Transgenic mice expressing light-activated ion channels in putative Go and NoGo cells chose between one of

the two ports after the onset of a cue. Light-induced firing of Go cells led to an increase in contralateral movements, whereas light-induced firing of NoGo cells led to an decrease in contralateral movements. The effect of stimulation was greatest when the value of the two potential actions was closely matched (as estimated by a computational model), suggesting stimulation was capable of mimicking a small shift in their relative value. Moreover, this stimulation was effective only when delivered simultaneously with the cue, consistent with a particular influence of action value during action selection. As discussed below, these BG-mediated

gating mechanisms Meloxicam may extend beyond the selection of motor actions and into the more abstract domains of working memory [10] (Figure 1b) and cognitive control (Figure 1c); where they can be used to solve analogous problems of selection and updating. Indeed, the known anatomy of parallel motor, frontal, and prefrontal basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuits hints at analogous computation ( Figure 1d) [11]. And, a variety of computational models have demonstrated the feasibility of such an architecture for solving complex working memory control problems 6, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22•• and 23••. However, only recently have animal and human behavioral, neuropsychological, pharmacological, PET and fMRI studies provided direct functional evidence for multiple BG gating dynamics in WM and their importance for higher thought and action. Gating dynamics provide a powerful solution to the input control problem for working memory 6, 10 and 12.

Histopathology of peritoneal wall sections (serous membrane and skeletal muscle of the floor of the dorsal cavity) in mAb-treated animals (2 h) showed vasodilatation signs with expressive numbers of intravascular leukocytes (leukocytosis), edema, and discreet hemorrhage (Fig. 4A). Cavity samples from control animals were represented by accentuated endomisial edema with muscular fiber dissociation and moderate hemorrhage (Fig. 4B). In addition, some muscle fibers exhibited coagulation necrosis (hyalinized: without Selleckchem MK 2206 striations and slightly eosinophilic). The pancreas from mice treated with mAbs exhibited hemorrhage and discreet edema in the intestine/pancreas interface (Fig. 4C). Conversely,

controls that received only B. atrox venom showed evidence of extensive solid hemorrhage and acinar cell dissociation in pancreatic samples using conventional microscopy ( Fig. 4D). Although Camargo et al. (2005) observed acute pancreatitis induced by phospholipase A2 from Bothrops venom in rats, the changes in the peritoneal cavity and pancreas found in our study are probably associated to the direct contact between the mAb and venom mixture injected into the peritoneal cavity. Kidney histopathology from animals treated with mAbs (2 h) was not significantly different from that of control

animals ( Fig. 4E, F). Although human deaths by Bothrops envenomation are generally associated to acute renal failure ( Milani Jr. et al., 1997), renal failure was not well reproduced in murine models. Moreover, several studies that evaluated renal Galunisertib mw alterations caused by bothropic venom in rats were performed

using i.v. GBA3 injection or ex-vivo renal perfusion ( Gutiérrez et al., 2009; Boer-Lima et al., 1999), and this could explain the lack of alterations in kidney samples evaluated in this study. Mice inoculated with the mAb and venom mixture lost the same quantity of blood as negative controls when bleeding time was determined (Fig. 5). In contrast, high blood loss was observed in mice given venom only. To our knowledge this is the first study to show that neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against three major Bothrops venom toxins abrogates the venom activity. Our results show that a pool of three mAbs neutralizes the lethal activity of B. atrox venom. Nevertheless, we believe that the action of toxins present in minor concentration in the venom ( Neiva et al., 2009), which could act alone or synergistically with other toxins, must also be considered. Moreover, intraspecific ( Núñez et al., 2009) and interspecific ( Queiroz et al., 2008) variation in venom characteristics should also be investigated when developing antivenoms based on monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies similarly to polyclonal antibodies when injected into xenogeneic animals induce antibody production against either their constant and variable regions resulting in a short circulating life.

The total number of reported UGI endoscopies was 123, providing a median of 10 per Department. No data were collected on eligibility and inclusion rate per centre. The main results of the exams are presented in Table 1. Most UGI endoscopies were performed as outpatient procedures (84%), most required no type of sedation (78%) and 50% of the participants were undergoing

a UGI endoscopy for the first time. Most UGI endoscopies were diagnostic but in 15% of them at least one additional technique was performed (injection, polypectomy, dilation or stent placement). Most of the exams had no complications (98%) with only 3 cases of minor Ceritinib chemical structure haemorrhage after endoscopic polypectomy, all resolved without any requirement for blood transfusion, surgery or inpatient care. The most frequent

indications were presence or suspicion of haemorrhage (20%), abdominal pain or dyspepsia (18%) or reflux (12%). These indications were the ones reported by the attending endoscopists, even when emergency exams were excluded from the study (probably the haemorrhage cases are related to complaints of anaemia or melaena without haemodynamic instability). The exam was considered abnormal Talazoparib in 77% of cases, with most frequent endoscopic diagnosis being “gastritis” (28%), “gastric atrophy” (14%) and oesophagitis (11%). When examining the cases that entailed an additional histology report, a histopathological diagnosis of gastritis was found in 56% of patients (95% CI: 42–70%) with atrophy in 19% (95% CI: 8–30%), extensive atrophy or intestinal metaplasia in corpus in 15% (95% CI 5–25%) and positivity for H. pylori in 38% (95% CI: 23–53%). When comparing first-time UGI endoscopy

cases with a repeated exam, no differences were found in terms of histological diagnosis of gastritis (56% vs. 57%, p = 0.91), atrophy (22% vs. 14%, p = 0.71), extensive triclocarban atrophy or intestinal metaplasia (11% vs. 19%, p = 0.68) or H. pylori positivity (44% vs. 30%, p = 0.36) ( Table 2). Also, when comparing the influence of age on the same diagnosis (age < vs. ≥ 50 years), the respective proportions were not statistically significant between groups: 56% vs. 56% for gastritis; 21% vs. 11% for atrophy, 11% vs. 15% for extensive atrophy or intestinal metaplasia and 63% vs. 31% for H. pylori positivity ( Table 3). Outcome assessment in the field of UGI endoscopy is seldom reported in the scientific literature and information is scarce worldwide. With this one-day cross-sectional study we intended to conduct the very first national assessment of UGI endoscopy practice and to assess the prevalence of premalignant gastric conditions or lesions on a multicenter population basis.

Only the outcome ‘poor response’ was studied and no significant differences were found at 5-weeks follow-up. Five recent RCTs that studied interventions after an RCR were found. A low-quality RCT (Klintberg et al., 2009) compared progressive physiotherapy (i.e. early loading of the rotator cuff (active and passive motion)) to traditional physiotherapy (i.e. immobilization of 6 weeks followed

by only passive motion). Only the progressive group showed significant within group results on the pain BIRB 796 mouse outcomes at 12 and 24 months follow-up. However, no comparisons between the groups were made. A high-quality study (Michael et al., 2005) compared RCR and CPM plus physiotherapy with RCR and physiotherapy alone. ROM (90° active abduction of the shoulder) was managed after 31 days in the CPM plus physiotherapy group compared to 43 days in the physiotherapy alone group (p = 0.292). Another high-quality study of Hayes Galunisertib chemical structure et al. (2004) compared individualized physiotherapy

to a standardized home exercise program after RCR and found no significant differences between the groups for any passive ROM, muscle force or overall shoulder status at 12- and 24-weeks follow-up. A low-quality study (Roddey et al., 2002) compared two instructional approaches to a home exercise program after RCR: a videotape versus personal instruction by a physiotherapist. No differences between Loperamide the treatment groups were found on the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and UPenn Shoulder Scale at 12-weeks, 24-weeks and 1-year follow-up. A low-quality RCT (Blum et al., 2009) studied the effectiveness of Repetitive H-Wave device stimulation (HWDS) versus placebo HWDS and

found significant within group results for both groups for external rotation (arm at slide) and internal rotation (arm at 90°) at 90 days follow-up; the HWDS group improved most. No significant within group results were found for the other ROM measurements. No comparisons were made between the groups. We found no evidence for the effectiveness of progressive compared to traditional physiotherapy, in the long-term or for the effectiveness of CPM as additive to physiotherapy after RCR. Furthermore, we found no evidence for the effectiveness of splinting in abduction versus resting the arm at the side, physiotherapy versus a standardized home exercise program, instructional approaches versus a home exercise program (videotape), or H-wave device stimulation versus placebo after RCR. This study focused on the effectiveness of non-surgical and surgical interventions for treating RotCuffTears not caused by acute traumata or systemic diseases. Neri et al.

8/97.8% vs. 93.1/93.1%, p = 0.006) ( Fig. 1). The Gleason pattern 3 patients also trended toward a higher 10- and 14-year CSS (99.3/99.3% vs. 96.9/96.9%, p = 0.058) ( Fig. 2). OS was not statistically different between the two Gleason 7 cohorts (78.2/70.7% vs. 76.0/56.9%, p = 0.198) ( Fig. 3). Subset analyses were performed to control for imbalances in PSA and PPC between the two study groups. In the subset of patients with PSA ≤10, primary Gleason pattern 3 patients maintained a significantly higher 10-

and 14-year bPFS (98.7/98.7% vs. 94.8/94.8%, p = 0.009) and CSS (100/100% vs. 97.0/97.0%, p = 0.013). GSK126 concentration In those patients with PSA >10, the bPFS (93.0/93.0% vs. 90.0/90.0%, p = 0.52) and CSS (96.2/96.2% vs. 96.2/96.2%, p = 0.95) did not differ according to primary Gleason pattern. In the subset of patients with PPC ≤50%, there was a trend toward improved bPFS (97.5/97.5% vs. 94.3/94.3%, p = 0.14) and CSS (99.8/99.8% vs. 97.5/97.5%, p = 0.066) for Gleason pattern 3, but this did not reach statistical significance. In those patients with PPC >50%, there was a superior bPFS among

primary Gleason pattern 3 patients (97.7/97.7% vs. 90.5/90.5%, p = 0.018), but this did not translate into an improved CSS (97.9/97.9% vs. 96.4/96.4%, p = 0.69). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the strongest predictors of bPFS, CSS, and OS (Table 2). Primary Gleason pattern was predictive of bPFS on both univariate (relative risk, 2.73; p = 0.005) and multivariate (relative risk, 2.265; p = 0.024) analyses. Primary Gleason pattern also trended toward predicting CSS (p = 0.081) on univariate analysis although Anti-diabetic Compound Library in vitro this did not reach statistical significance. Gleason score is an important prognostic factor having been shown to predict for bPFS and CSS after definitive treatment of prostate cancer [1], [2], [3], [4] and [5]. Gleason 7 prostate cancer represents one of the most common histologic patterns. Some studies indicate that within the Gleason 7 stratum, a primary pattern 4 carries a less

favorable prognosis than a primary pattern 3, although conflicting results have been reported [5], [6], [7], [8], [14], [15], [16] and [17]. In a prior publication, we reported our outcome data for Gleason HSP90 7 patients treated with LDR interstitial brachytherapy. At that time, there were no statistically significant differences observed between primary Gleason pattern 3 and 4 (8). In this updated analysis, which includes a larger study population and longer median followup, we are now seeing a trend in outcome that favors primary Gleason pattern 3. The primary Gleason 3 cohort exhibited a superior bPFS and a nonsignificant trend toward improved CSS. One notable limitation of the present study is an imbalance in prognostic factors between the two study arms. The primary Gleason 4 population had a statistically higher PSA and PPC, which in itself would portend a less favorable outcome.

The presence of common motifs in PR-39, dermaseptins and ceratotoxins, suggests

that the antimicrobial activity of pleurocidin is due to only a portion of the pleurocidin sequence. this website Furthermore, to make Plc useful as a therapeutic drug requires delineating the feature responsible for its activities as an AMP. There are examples of peptide and protein fragments retaining the antimicrobial activity of the parent molecule and, in some instance, their activities even exceed that of a close relative molecule [5] and [21]. In addition, the N- and C-terminal regions of antimicrobial peptides play an important role in the organism-specific interaction process or pore formation in plasma membrane [4] and [23]. AMPs are not only Belnacasan chemical structure an interest against human pathogens, they are also excellent candidates for serving as biologically based pesticides for agriculture. To capitalize on their potential use, studies are in

progress to elucidate the mechanisms of their action with an ongoing search to identify the particular residues and structural elements responsible. Such endeavors can lead to modifications towards more selective compounds with lower intrinsic toxicity and reduced negative environmental impacts [27]. Towards this goal, an analysis of the peptide fragments in pleurocidin was initiated. In this study, the activity of the peptides was examined against bacteria and filamentous phytopathogenic fungi. We discovered that a small sequence of the 12 amino acid C-terminus (KHVGKAALTHYL) possed a high percentage (≥80%) of the precursor’s lytic activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and no effect or very small effect against Enterococcus faecalis. In GPX6 fungi of agronomical interest, a high activity was observed against all the fungi evaluated,

except Aspergillus ochraceus. The measured MIC values were close to those of commercial fungicides. Four other synthetic peptides, spanning the whole pleurocidin sequence, were tested, but a reduced growth inhibition was obtained for P. aeruginosa and for the three other bacteria species compared to pleurocidin. Amino acids for peptide synthesis were acquired from Calbiochem-Novabiochem Corp. (Germany). The sequencing reagents and HPLC columns were from Shimadzu (Kyoto, Japan). Piperidine, acetonitrile and trifluoroacetic acid were purchased from Fluke. Brain heart infusion broth (BHI), trifluoroethanol and all other analytical reagents were purchased from Merck (Darmstad, Germany). Sytox green (SG) was acquired from Molecular Probes (Invitrogen Corp, Carlsbad, CA, USA) and calcofluor white (CFW) (Fluorescent Brightener 28) from Sigma–Aldrich (St Louis, MO, USA). Potato dextrose broth (PDB) and potato dextrose agar (PDA) were purchased from HiMedia (Mumbai, India) and Oxoid (Hampshire, England), respectively.