Ammonia formation and soil pH increase caused by decomposing fruitbodies of macrofungi

The formation of gaseous compounds from decomposing fruibodies of three common macrofungi was qualitatively analysed. It was shown that significant production of ammonia took place. When the fruitbodies were decomposing on the surface of a podzolic forest floor more than 90% of the ammonia produced was absorbed by the soil, causing soil pH to increase.     

Electron microscopy of lanthanum in plasma

Summary Aqueous solutions of lanthanum nitrate may be used as electron microscopic tracers in vivo to study vascular permeability in the experimental animal. However, with this technique the size of the tracer particles is not known. To gain information about the tracer size, we injected lanthanum nitrate into the blood circulation of living rabbits. The plasma obtained from such animals 30 min later, was studied with the electron microscope. The plasma contained an electron-dense material, readily visible in the electron microscope. A precipitate obtained after centrifugation of the whole blood to separate the cells, also contained the tracer. Lanthanum was found in large amounts in the fibrin clot obtained after treating the plasma with thrombin. The tracer was not detected in the serum (i.e. thrombin-treated plasma). The study indicates that ionic lanthanum injected into the blood circulation of living rabbits, is to a great extent bound to fibrinogen, and that the smallest possible size of the tracer is that of the fibrinogen,molecule (m. w. 330,000). Larger particles are present as well.     

Effects of Lithium and Lamotrigine on Oxidative–Nitrosative Stress and Spatial Learning Deficit After Global Cerebral Ischemia

Lithium (Li) and lamotrigine (LTG) have neuroprotective properties. However, the exact therapeutic mechanisms of these drugs have not been well understood. We investigated the antioxidant properties of Li (40 and 80 mg/kg/day) and LTG (20 and 40 mg/kg/day) in a rat model of global cerebral ischemia based on permanent bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries (BCAO). Nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GSH-R), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were measured as an indicator of oxidative–nitrosative stress in both prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus after 28 days of treatment. The spatial learning disability was also assessed at the end of the study by Morris water maze (MWM) test. All oxidative–nitrosative parameters were found to be higher in the groups under treatment than in sham. Both drugs caused a decrease in PFC NO and MDA elevation, meanwhile the increase in GSH, GSH-R, CAT and SOD levels was significantly more evident in treated groups. We also found higher PFC GSH-R and hippocampal SOD levels in BCAO + Li (80 mg/day) treated group when compared with BCAO + LTG 40 mg/day. MWM test data showed a similar increase in spatial learning ability in all groups under treatment. We found no other statistical difference in comparison of treated groups with different dosages. Our findings suggested that Li and LTG treatments may decrease spatial learning memory deficits accompanied by lower oxidative–nitrosative stress in global cerebral ischemia. Both drugs may have potential benefits for the treatment of vascular dementia in clinical practice.     

Clinical and Molecular Manifestations of Congenital Muscular Alpha-Dystroglycanopathy due to an ISPD Gene Mutation

Neurophysiology - Congenital muscular alpha-dystroglycanopaties (MDDGAs) are rare congenital muscular dystrophies that are accompanied by a variety of brain and eye malformations. More than 19 gene...     

Length–weight relationships of freshwater fishes from the western part of Anatolia,Turkey

Length–weight relationships were calculated for nine freshwater fish species belonging to two families using 1020 specimens from 15 water sources in the western part of Anatolia, Turkey. This study is the first reference on length–parameters for these species, eight of which are endemic, and with new maximum length records for three of the species.     

Application of next-generation sequencing methods for microbial monitoring of anaerobic digestion of lignocellulosic biomass

The anaerobic digestion of lignocellulosic wastes is considered an efficient method for managing the world’s energy shortages and resolving contemporary environmental problems. However, the recalcitrance of lignocellulosic biomass represents a barrier to maximizing biogas production. The purpose of this review is to examine the extent to which sequencing methods can be employed to monitor such biofuel conversion processes. From a microbial perspective, we present a detailed insight into anaerobic digesters that utilize lignocellulosic biomass and discuss some benefits and disadvantages associated with the microbial sequencing techniques that are typically applied. We further evaluate the extent to which a hybrid approach incorporating a variation of existing methods can be utilized to develop a more in-depth understanding of microbial communities. It is hoped that this deeper knowledge will enhance the reliability and extent of research findings with the end objective of improving the stability of anaerobic digesters that manage lignocellulosic biomass.     

Concentrations of some major and minor elements in larynx tissues with and without cancer

In this study, concentrations of some major and minor elements were determined in the larynx tissues with and without cancer, and results obtained were statistically compared. No meaningful differences were found between sodium, potassium, calcium and copper concentrations in cancer tissues, corresponding cancer-free adjacent tissues and in control larynx tissues. Phosphate concentrations of the cancer tissues were higher compared with cancer-free adjacent tissues and control tissues. Iron, zinc and magnesium concentrations were found increased in both cancer and corresponding cancer-free adjacent tissues relative to control values. Intra- and inter-element correlations established within and between groups indicated that relations between elements were also disordered in the cancer tissues. We suggest that the changed element status of cancerous larynx tissues may arise from increased requirements of cancer tissues for some elements such as iron, zinc, magnesium and phosphate.     

Molecular study on cloned endoglucanase gene from rumen bacterium

An endoglucanase gene was subcloned from anaerobic rumen bacterium Ruminococcus flavefaciens strain 17. To express endoglucanase gene in Escherichia coli and Streptococcus bovis JB1, an endoglucanase gene fragment was inserted into pVA838-based shuttle vectors. Removal of endoglucanase gene promoter and expression of endoglucanase by promoter of S. bovis JB1 alpha-amylase gene (pACMCS) was also achieved. Survival of constructs pVACMCI, pTACMC and pACMCS, which carry endoglucanase gene, and stability of endoglucanase gene in S. bovis JB1, were observed. Maximal endoglucanase activities from S. bovis JB1/pVACMCI were 2- to 3-fold higher than from E. coli/pVACMCI. Specific cell activity of E. coli/pACMCS was found to be approximately 2- to -3 fold higher than the both E. coli/pVACMCI and E. coli/pTACMC. Specific cell activity of S. bovis JB1/pACMCS was also found to be approximately 2-fold higher than the both S. bovis/pVACMCI and S. bovis JB1/pTACMC.     

Preliminary histopathological study of intra-articular injection of a novel highly cross-linked hyaluronic acid in a rabbit model of knee osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease mostly occurring in the knee and commonly seen in middle-aged and elderly adults. Intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid has been widely used for treatment of knee osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of intra-articular injection of a novel highly cross-linked hyaluronic acid, alone or in combination with ropivacaine hydrochloride and triamcinolone acetonide, on knee articular cartilage in a rabbit model of collagenase-induced knee osteoarthritis. After induction of experimental osteoarthritis by intra-articular injection of collagenase, adult New Zealand white rabbits (n = 12) were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (control group) received 0.3 ml phosphate buffered saline into the right knee joint. Group 2 received 0.3 ml cross-linked hyaluronic acid (33 mg/ml) into the right knee joint. Group 3 received a mixture of 0.15 ml cross-linked hyaluronic acid (33 mg/ml), 0.05 ml ropivacaine hydrochloride 1 % and 0.1 ml triamcinolone acetonide (10 mg/ml) into the right knee joint. Intra-articular injections were given 4 weeks after first collagenase injection and were administered once a week for 3 weeks. Gross pathology and histological evaluation of rabbits’ knee joints were performed after 16 weeks following initial collagenase injection. Histological analysis of sections of right knee joints at lesion sites showed a significant decrease in Mankin’s score in groups treated with hyaluronic acid alone or in combination with ropivacaine hydrochloride and triamcinolone acetonide versus control group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively). This evidence was consistent with strong articular degenerative changes in control right knee joints (grade III osteoarthritis), while the treated groups revealed less severe articular degenerative changes (grade II osteoarthritis). The present results show that cross-linked hyaluronic acid, alone or in combination with ropivacaine hydrochloride and triamcinolone acetonide, produces a significant improvement in knee articular cartilage degeneration in a rabbit model of collagenase-induced osteoarthritis.