Morphology, anatomy, palynology and nutlet micromorphology of the rediscovered Turkish endemic Salvia ballsiana (Lamiaceae) and their taxonomic implications

Salvia ballsiana (Rech. fil.) Hedge, previously known only from the type gathering, is a local endemic species from Turkey. The species was first collected from Gölbaşı (Malatya) by E. K. Balls in 1935, and was not collected again until 2008, when we found it in Gerger (Adıyaman). The diagnostic morphological characters of this rare endemic species are discussed, including its anatomical, palynological and nutlet micromorphological features. Morphological characteristics of leaves, calyces, corollas and types of stamens are useful for sectional and specific delimitation in Salvia . Anatomical characters such as number of ray rows in roots, distance between vascular bundles in stems, mesophyll structures in leaves, shape of mid-rib and presence/absence of sclerenchymatic tissue in petioles are of taxonomic significance. In addition, size, shape and ornamentation of pollen grains and nutlets are diagnostic.     

Effect of Artichoke Leaf Extract on Hepatic and Cardiac Oxidative Stress in Rats Fed on High Cholesterol Diet

Hypercholesterolemia and lipid peroxidation play complementary roles in atherosclerosis. Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L., Asteraceae) leaf extract (ALE), rich in antioxidants, has cholesterol-reducing effect. We investigated the effect of ALE on serum and hepatic lipid levels and pro-oxidant–antioxidant balance in the liver and heart of hypercholesterolemic rats. Rats were fed on 4% (w/w) cholesterol and 1% cholic acid (w/w) supplemented diet for 1 month. ALE (1.5 g/kg/day) was given by gavage during the last 2 weeks. High cholesterol (HC) diet caused significant increases in serum and liver cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and diene conjugate (DC) levels in both tissues. Hepatic vitamin E levels and hepatic and cardiac glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities decreased, but superoxide dismutase and glutathione transferase activities, glutathione, and vitamin C levels remained unchanged due to HC diet. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels and ratio of cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol decreased in ALE plus HC-treated rats, but liver cholesterol and triglyceride levels remained unchanged. Significant decreases in hepatic and cardiac MDA and DC levels and increases in hepatic vitamin E and GSH-Px activities were observed in ALE-treated hypercholesterolemic rats. Our results indicate that ALE decreases serum lipids and hypercholesterolemia-induced pro-oxidant state in both tissues.     

Simple sequence repeat-based assessment of genetic relationships among Prunus rootstocks

Ten SSR loci, previously developed for Prunus, were analyzed to examine genetic relationships among 23 rootstock candidates for sweet and sour cherries, of the species P. avium, P. cerasus, P. mahaleb, and P. angustifolia. Five genotypes of P. laurocerasus, not used as rootstock, were included in the molecular analysis. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 8 to 12, with a mean of 9, while the number of microsatellite genotypes varied from 8 to 17, indicating that the SSRs were highly informative. The degree of heterozygosity (0.61) was high. Clustering analysis resulted in two main clusters. The first cluster was divided into two subclusters; the first subcluster consisted of P. avium and P. cerasus, and the second subcluster consisted of P. laurocerasus. The second cluster was divided into two subclusters. The first subcluster consisted of P. mahaleb genotypes and the second consisted of P. angustifolia genotypes. The reference rootstocks also clustered with their associated botanical species. Unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean analysis demonstrated that P. laurocerasus genotypes had less genetic variation and that P. avium genotypes were more closely related to P. cerasus. The SSR-based phylogeny was generally consistent with Prunus taxonomy information, suggesting the applicability of SSR analysis for genotyping and phylogenetic studies in the genus Prunus.     

Solution study of engineered quartz binding peptides using replica exchange molecular dynamics

We use replica-exchange molecular dynamics (REMD) to interrogate molecular structures and properties of four engineered dodecapeptides (in solution, in the absence of a surface) that have been shown to bind to quartz with different propensities. We find that all of the strong-binding peptides feature some polyproline type II secondary structure, have less conformational freedom, and feature fewer intrapeptide hydrogen bonds compared with the weak binder. The regions of contiguous proline content in a given sequence appear to play a role in fostering some of these properties of the strong binders. For preliminary insights into quartz binding, we perform lattice-matching studies between a grid corresponding with the quartz (100) surface and the strong-binding peptide REMD structures. Our findings indicate a commonality among the putative contact residues, even for peptide structures with very different backbone conformations. Furthermore, interpeptide interactions in solution are studied. Our preliminary findings indicate that the strong-binder interpeptide contacts are dominated by weak, nonspecific hydrophobic interactions, while the weak-binding peptide shows more variable behavior due to the distribution of charged residues. In summary, the solution structures of peptides appear to be significant. We propose that these differences in their intra- and interpeptide interactions can influence their propensity to bind onto a solid substrate.     

Evaluation of non ionizing radiation around the dielectric heaters and sealers: a case report

Dielectric heaters and sealers present the most common source of occupational exposure to excessive radio frequency (RF) fields. These systems are used industrially to heat or melt dielectric materials. Nowadays, the effects of high frequency electromagnetic (EM) fields on the health have been discussed frequently but there are few health studies done for workers around dielectric heaters and sealers. In this study, the leakage fields around dielectric heaters and sealers (27.12?MHz) were measured in MKE--Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation, Gazi Rocket Factory and evaluated in terms of standards. It has been observed that operators exposed to same RF fields with occupational exposure limits. Many workers have health complaints, such as elevated body temperatures in the factory. Safe distances or areas for workers should be recommended in these systems. Protective measures could be implemented to minimize these exposures. Further measurements and occupational exposure studies of RF exposed women and men are needed to demonstrate the levels of exposed Radio Frequency Radiation (RFR). Precautions should therefore be taken either to reduce the leakage fields or minimise the exposed fields.     

A simple and inexpensive device for collecting urine samples from rats

Many studies require collection of metabolic wastes from laboratory animals, and oftentimes it is important that feces and urine be collected separately. The authors describe an easily assembled and inexpensive device that can be used to collect urine samples from rats without any invasive operations. The device affords reasonable separation of feces and urine.     

Effects of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nigella sativa</Emphasis> and human parathyroid hormone on bone mass and strength in diabetic rats

Osteoporosis is a major complication in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), particularly in those with insulin dependency. Recently, many therapeutic effects ofNigella sativa L. (NS) extracts have been exhibited such as anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antidiabetic with clinical and experimental studies. Mechanical strength in the femur and vertebrae increases with human parathyroid hormone (hPTH) treatment. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that combined treatment with NS and hPTH is more effective than treatment with NS or hPTH alone in improving bone mass, connectivity, and biomechanical behavior using the finite element method (FEM) in insulin-dependent diabetic rats. In the mechanical analysis, five rat bones (control, diabetic diabetic NS treated, diabetic hPTH treated, and diabetic NS + hPTH treated) have been studied for bending analysis using the finite element analysis program ANSYS. Combined treatment of NS and hPTH was more effective on bone histomorphometry and mechanical strength than treatment with NS or hPTH alone for streptozotocin-induced diabetic osteopenia, which notably decreased bone volume.