Altitudinal genetic and morphometric variation among populations of Culex theileri Theobald (Diptera: Culicidae) from northeastern Turkey

Enviromental conditions, including such important climatic variables as temperature and precipitation, change with altitude; thus, elevation plays a significant role in determining population and community structure in a variety of organisms. Using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and geometric morphometrics, nine populations of Culex theileri Theobald occurring in different ecological subregions at altitudes between 808-2,130 m in northeastern Turkey were compared. The wing size and shape data indicate that there are significant phenotypic differences among them, while Cx theileri populations are not genetically differentiated in the northeast part of Turkey. The size and shape variation analysis of wings showed that there is a positive correlation between wing (body) size/shape and altitude.     

Long-term L-NAME treatment potentiates the blood-brain barrier disruption during pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in rats

We investigated whether the severity of blood-brain barrier disruption caused by pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures is modified by long-term nitric oxide synthase inhibition in rats. Rats were given N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, in drinking water for 4 weeks, and then treated with pentylenetetrazole to induce seizures. Damage to the blood-brain barrier was investigated using Evans blue dye extravasation. Serum nitric oxide concentration was decreased in L-NAME-treated rats (P<0.01). L-NAME and/or pentylenetetrazole treatments elevated systolic blood pressure of animals (P<0.01). L-NAME caused an increase in the mortality rate after pentylenetetrazole injection leading to the death of animals at about 15 min after the onset of the seizure. Pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in rats treated with L-NAME caused a significant increase in Evans blue dye extravasation into cerebral cortex, diencephalon and cerebellum, as compared with seizures evoked by pentylenetetrazole injection to L-NAME-untreated rats (P<0.01). Data presented here suggest that the degree of blood-brain barrier disruption induced by seizures is more pronounced in long-term nitric oxide deficiency.     

Oxidant and antioxidant status of Turkish marasmic children: A single center study

The aim of this study was to investigate plasma oxidant and antioxidant status in Turkish marasmic children. The study population consisted of 38 marasmic children (group I) and 28 age-matched children (group II) who were apparently well, with weight-forage >80% of the standards in the same region. After overnight fasting, venous blood samples were drawn and immediately transferred to heparinized and normal tubes. Plasma antioxidant potential (AOP), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in both groups. The plasma MDA levels were found to be higher in group I than in group II. However, plasma AOP values were lower in group I than in group II. The present study suggests that AOP is reduced due to an impaired antioxidant system in the plasma of malnourished patients. This oxidant stress causes significant peroxidation. Also, the antioxidant defense system of the patients is deteriorated in marasmus.     

Isolation and characterization of Methanocorpusculum parvum,gen. nov., spec. nov., a new tungsten requiring,coccoid methanogen

A new mesophilic, monotrichously flagellated methane-producing coccus of 1m in diameter was isolated from an anaerobic sour whey digester, originally inoculated with sewage sludge. Growth and methane production were observed with H₂/CO₂, formate and — less effectively — with 2-propanol/CO₂. The isolate grew at temperatures between 15° C and 45° C with the optimum at around 37° C. Acetate, yeast extract and tungstate were required in the medium. Clarified rumen fluid stimulated growth.The DNA of the new methanogen has a G+C content of 48.5 mol%. Comparative 16 S rRNA oligonucleotide cataloguing allows to define the new isolate as a member of a new genus of the order Methanomicrobiales. Further evidence for this is provided by the antigenic crossreactivity with anti-S probes and by metabolic features.Because of its small size the new methanogen is named Methanocorpusculum parvum.This work was supported by a grant of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG to J. W. and E. S. Immunologic studies were supported in part by grants No. DE-FGO2-84 R 13197 from the U.S. Department of Energy, and No. 261.81/82 from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)     

Glutathione levels during thermal induction of the yeast-to-mycelial transition in Candida albicans

Glutathione (GSH) levels were directly monitored by reverse phase HPLC during the thermal yeast-to-mycelial induction of Candida albicans. The GSH levels decreased approximately 100-fold within 120 min which corresponded to the time of maximal yeast-to-mold conversion. The yeast to mold conversion was inhibited by 1-p-chlorophenyl-4,4-dimethyl-5-diethylamino-1-penten-3-one (CDDP), a thiol-specific alkylator, which prevented the decline in GSH levels. These results are discussed with respect to the potential involvement of intracellular GSH levels in regulation of the yeast-to-mold dimorphism in Candida albicans.