The Use of Albino Adult Hair and Blond Prepubertal Hair Yields Equivalent Results in an In Vitro Hair Perforation Test to Differentiate Between Different Dermatophytic Fungi

An in vitro hair perforation test is used to differentiate isolates of Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum complexes because morphological criteria are insufficient. Here, we performed in vitro hair perforation tests using blond prepubertal hair and albino adult hair to determine whether they differentiate between fungal species. We tested 43 well-characterized dermatophyte strains, Arthroderma spp. [n = 4], Epidermophyton floccosum [n = 1], Microsporum spp. [n = 8], and Trichophyton spp. [n = 30], and examined hair perforation at 3–30 days postinoculation (p.i.). The perforation times were not significantly different between the two hair types (P > 0.05). The T. mentagrophytes complex strains perforated hair 4–5 days p.i., whereas T. rubrum complex strains perforated hair 13–30 days p.i., except for Trichophyton violaceum, which perforated hair after 6–7 days. Thus, the hair perforation test is highly sensitive (100 %) and specific (100 %) for differentiating T. mentagrophytes from T. rubrum complexes 5 days p.i. At 14 and 30 days, the sensitivity and negative predictive value of the test remained unchanged (100 %), but the specificity was reduced (64.3 and 14.3 %, respectively). Consistent with previous reports, we observed “perforating organs” of zoophilic Microsporum canis and geophilic Microsporum gypseum at 4 and 3 days, respectively. This paper offers a “low-cost” and “low-tech” alternative to differentiating dermatophyte species where standard morphological techniques fail and/or where molecular techniques are not a viable option.     

Assessment of post-stroke elbow flexor spasticity in different forearm positions

Abstract

Purpose/Aim: There have been conflicting results regarding which muscle contribute most to the elbow spastic flexion deformity. This study aimed to investigate whether flexor spasticity of the elbow changed according to the position of the forearm, and to determine the muscle or muscles that contributed most to the elbow spastic flexion deformity by clinical examination.

Methods: This study is a single group, observational and cross-sectional study. Sixty patients were assessed for elbow flexor spasticity in different forearm positions (pronation, neutral and supination) with Modified Tardieu Scale. The primary outcome measure was a domain of the Modified Tardieu Scale, the dynamic component of spasticity (spasticity angle).

Results: In general, there was a significant difference between forearm positions regarding spasticity angle (p?<?.001). In pairwise comparisons, median spasticity angles in pronation (70 degrees) and neutral position (60 degrees) were significantly higher than those in supination (57.5 degrees) (adjusted p?<?.001 and adjusted p?=?.003, respectively). However, median spasticity angle in pronation did not differ significantly from those in neutral position in favour of pronation (adjusted p?=?.274).

Conclusions: The severity of spasticity changes according to the elbow position which suggests that the magnitude of contribution of each elbow flexor muscle to spastic elbow deformity is different. Reduction of spasticity from pronation to supination leads us to consider brachialis as the most spastic muscle. Since biceps was suggested to be the least spastic muscle in this study, and also to avoid spastic pronation deformity of the forearm, it should be rethought before performing chemodenervation into biceps muscle.     

Population-response model for vibrotactile spatial summation

A computational model based on previous physiological and psychophysical data is presented for the human Pacinian (P) psychophysical channel. The model can predict the probability of detection in simple psychophysical tasks, and hence psychometric functions and thresholds. The model simulates stimulating variable and fixed glabrous skin sites with different-sized contactors and includes spatial variation of monkey P-fiber sensitivities. Therefore, it is especially suitable for studying spatial summation, i.e. the improvement of threshold with increasing contactor area. Selective contributions of neural integration (n.i.) and probability summation (p.s.) are also incorporated into the model. Model predictions are compared to psychophysical results of Gescheider et al. (). The performance of the model regarding the effects of contactor size is very good. In addition to predicting approximately 3?dB improvement of thresholds when the contactor area is doubled, the model also reveals nonlinear contributions of p.s. and n.i. Furthermore, the model asserts that thresholds are largely governed by neural integration when small contactors are used. These and other findings discussed in the article show that the presented model is a helpful tool for formulating testable hypotheses. Although the model can also simulate some temporal summation effects, simulation results do not conform well to previous data on temporal response properties. Thus, the model needs to be refined in that respect.     

New binary copper(II) complexes containing intercalating ligands: DNA interactions,an unusual static quenching mechanism of BSA and cytotoxic activities

New binary copper(II) complexes – [Cu(4-mphen)₂(NO₃)]NO₃·H₂O (1), [Cu(5-mphen)₂ (NO₃)]NO₃·H₂O (2), the known complex [Cu(dmphen)₂(NO₃)]NO₃ (3) and [Cu(tmphen)₂ (NO₃)]NO₃·H₂O (4) - (4-mphen: 4-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline, 5-mphen: 5-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dmphen: 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, tmphen: 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline), have been synthesized and characterized by CHN analysis, ESI-MS, FTIR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Interaction of these complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been investigated by absorption spectral titration, ethidium bromide (EB) and Hoechst 33,258 displacement assay and thermal denaturation measurement. These complexes cleaved pUC19 plasmid DNA in the absence and presence of an external agent. Notably, in the presence of H₂O₂ as an activator, the cleavage abilities of these complexes are obviously enhanced at low concentration. Addition of hydroxyl radical scavengers like DMSO shows significant inhibition of the DNA cleavage activity of these complexes. BSA quenching mechanism was investigated with regard to the type of quenching, binding constant, number of binding locations and the thermodynamic parameters. The experimental results suggested that the probable quenching mechanism was an unusual static process and hydrophobic forces play a dominant role. The CT-DNA and BSA binding efficiencies of these complexes follow the order: 4 > 3 > 1 > 2. Furthermore, in vitro cytotoxicities of these complexes on tumor cells lines (Caco-2, MCF-7 and A549) and healthy cell line (BEAS-2B) showed that these complexes exhibited anticancer activity with low IC₅₀ values. The effect of hydrophobicity of the methyl-substituted phenanthrolines on DNA and protein binding activities of these complexes is discussed.     

Phytophthora cinnamomi Associated with Root and Crown Rot of Walnut in Turkey

Walnut decline caused by Phytophthora sp. occurred in an orchard in Sakarya province in Turkey. Affected young trees showed poor growth, leaf discolouration, root and crown rot and eventual death. A Phytophthora sp. isolated from necrotic taproots and crown tissues. The causal agent of the disease was identified as Phytophthora cinnamomi by morphological characteristics and comparing sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Upon conducting pathogenicity test, averaging 7.8‐cm‐long canker developed on basal stem within 2 weeks, while no cankers developed in the control plants.     

Spiders active on snow in eastern Turkey

Abstract

At temperatures below zero in winter months, a total of 202 spiders was collected by pitfall traps from a snow-covered grassland in eastern Turkey. 16 genera and 20 species were recorded, belonging to the families Gnaphosidae, Lycosidae, Linyphiidae, Thomisidae, Theridiidae, Philodromidae, Salticidae, and Tetragnathidae.     

Airborne pollen concentration in Ankara,Turkey 1990–1993

Atmospheric pollen was collected with a Burkard spore trap in Ankara, Turkey, from January 1990 to January 1993. A total of 135.787 grains/m³ belonging to 47 taxa were observed. The local pollen season started in February in 1990 and 1991 and in March in 1992. Relatively low pollen concentrations were recorded in 1990 and 1992, probably because of precipitation and low wind speed in the spring. A relatively high pollen concentration was recorded in 1991 which could be caused by higher wind speed in the spring and more precipitation during the winter. Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, Pinaceae, Gramineae, Betula, Moraceae, Platanus, Populus, Acer, Quercus, Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae, Plantago, Rumex are found to be the dominant pollen types in the atmosphere in Ankara. The pollen composition generally reflects the vegetation of gardens, parks and roadsides, while the natural steppe vegetation of the area around Ankara is not properly represented.     

DNA barcoding commercially important fish species of Turkey

DNA barcoding was used in the identification of 89 commercially important freshwater and marine fish species found in Turkish ichthyofauna. A total of 1765 DNA barcodes using a 654‐bp‐long fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene were generated for 89 commercially important freshwater and marine fish species found in Turkish ichthyofauna. These species belong to 70 genera, 40 families and 19 orders from class Actinopterygii, and all were associated with a distinct DNA barcode. Nine and 12 of the COI barcode clusters represent the first species records submitted to the BOLD and GenBank databases, respectively. All COI barcodes (except sequences of first species records) were matched with reference sequences of expected species, according to morphological identification. Average nucleotide frequencies of the data set were calculated as T = 29.7%, C = 28.2%, A = 23.6% and G = 18.6%. Average pairwise genetic distance among individuals were estimated as 0.32%, 9.62%, 17,90% and 22.40% for conspecific, congeneric, confamilial and within order, respectively. Kimura 2‐parameter genetic distance values were found to increase with taxonomic level. For most of the species analysed in our data set, there is a barcoding gap, and an overlap in the barcoding gap exists for only two genera. Neighbour‐joining trees were drawn based on DNA barcodes and all the specimens clustered in agreement with their taxonomic classification at species level. Results of this study supported DNA barcoding as an efficient molecular tool for a better monitoring, conservation and management of fisheries.     

IMMOBILIZATION OF BOVINE CATALASE ONTO MAGNETIC NANOPARTICLES

The scope of this study is to achieve carrier-bound immobilization of catalase onto magnetic particles (Fe₃O₄ and Fe₂O₃NiO₂ · H₂O) to specify the optimum conditions of immobilization. Removal of H₂O₂ and the properties of immobilized sets were also investigated. To that end, adsorption and then cross-linking methods onto magnetic particles were performed. The optimum immobilization conditions were found for catalase: immobilization time (15 min for Fe₃O₄; 10 min for Fe₂O₃NiO₂ · H₂O), the initial enzyme concentration (1 mg/mL), amount of magnetic particles (25 mg), and glutaraldehyde concentration (3%). The activity reaction conditions (optimum temperature, optimum pH, pH stability, thermal stability, operational stability, and reusability) were characterized. Also kinetic parameters were calculated by Lineweaver–Burk plots. The optimum pH values were found to be 7.0, 7.0, and 8.0 for free enzyme, Fe₃O₄-immobilized catalases, and Fe₂O₃NiO₂ · H₂O-immobilized catalases, respectively. All immobilized catalase systems displayed the optimum temperature between 25 and 35°C. Reusability studies showed that Fe₃O₄-immobilized catalase can be used 11 times with 50% loss in original activity, while Fe₂O₃NiO₂ · H₂O-immobilized catalase lost 67% of activity after the same number of uses. Furthermore, immobilized catalase systems exhibited improved thermal and pH stability. The results transparently indicate that it is possible to have binding between enzyme and magnetic nanoparticles.     

In vitro inhibitory effects of some heavy metals on human erythrocyte carbonic anhydrases

The inhibition of two human carbonic anhydrase (HCA, EC 4.2.1.1) isozymes, the cytosolic HCA I and II, with heavy metal salts of Pb(II), Co(II) and Hg(II)has been investigated. Human erythrocyte CA-I isozyme was purified with a specific activity of 920 EUmg^{? 1} and a yield of 30% and CA-II isozyme was purified with a specific activity of 8000 EUmg^{? 1} and a yield of 40% using Sepharose-4B-L tyrosine-sulfanilamide affinity gel chromatography. The overall purification was approximately 104-fold for HCA-I and 900-fold for HCA-II. The inhibitory effects of different heavy metals (lead, cobalt and mercury) on CA activity were determined at low concentrations using the esterase method under in vitro conditions. K_i values for these metals were calculated from Lineweaver-Burk graphs as 1.0, 3.22 and 1.45 mM for HCA-I and 0.059, 1.382 and 0.32 mM for HCA-II respectively. Lead was a noncompetitive inhibitor for HCA-I and competitive for HCA-II, cobalt was competitive for HCA-I and noncompetitive for HCA-II and mercury was uncompetitive for both HCA-I and HCA-II. Lead was the best inhibitor for both HCA-I and HCA-II.