The accumulation of heavy metals in Typha latifolia L. grown in a stream carrying secondary effluent

Typha latifolia L. from aquatic plants is widely found throughout Kehli Stream (Elazig, Turkey). This study examined the uptake of some metals by T. latifolia and the transfer from roots to other plant parts. The accumulation of Mn in T. latifolia L. can be suggested as a tolerance strategy due to its transfer factor higher than 1.0. The enrichment coefficients in the leaves of T. latifolia L. were higher than 1.0 for Zn and Mn and often lower than 1.0 for other metals. Similarly, the enrichment coefficients of all metals, except for Cr, in roots of T. latifolia L. were higher than 1.0. This study demonstrated that T. latifolia L. could be considered as either a bio-indicator or a bio-accumulator for sediments and water polluted by metals.     

The mitochondrial and nuclear genetic structure of Myotis capaccinii (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in the Eurasian transition, and its taxonomic implications

Allopatric isolation in glacial refugia has caused differentiation and speciation in many taxa globally. In this study, we investigated the nuclear and mitochondrial genetic differentiation of the long fingered bat, Myotis capaccinii during the ice ages in south-eastern Europe and Anatolia. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analyses indicated a suture zone similar to those recorded in other animal species, including bats, suggesting the association of more than one refugium with the region. Contrary to most of the other species where a suture zone was seen in Anatolia, for M. capaccinii the geographical location of the genetic break was in south-eastern Europe. This mitochondrial differentiation was not reflected in the nuclear microsatellites, however, suggesting that the lack of contact during the ice ages did not result in reproductive isolation. Hence taxonomically, the two mitochondrial clades cannot be treated as separate species.     

Differential expression of genes participating in cardiomyocyte electrophysiological remodeling via membrane ionic mechanisms and Ca2+-handling in human heart failure

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - Excitation–contraction coupling in normal cardiac function is performed with well balanced and coordinated functioning but with complex dynamic...     

Fortpflanzungsverhalten der Palmtaube (Streptopelia senegalensis): Paarbildung bis Eiablage

Zusammenfassung Die Fortpflanzungsperiode der Palmtaube (Streptopelia s. senegalensis L.) fängt in Diyarbakir/Türkei (37°55N/40°12E) schon Anfang Februar an und kann bis Mitte November dauern. In diesem Zeitraum kann ein Paar bis zu sieben Bruten beginnen (Tab. 1). Nach der Paarbildung fangen die Kopulationen an, die vor allem in der Woche vor der Eiablage stark zunehmen. Während des Brütens und der ersten Woche der Jungenaufzucht sind sie dagegen nicht zu beobachten. Sie werden vom im allgemeinen mit sog. Flügeltippen bzw. Scheinputzen eingeleitet. Nach der Begattung paradiert das um das , das auf der Stelle verharrt. Vor dem Tretakt fällt das dagegen in infantiles Verhalten und bettelt unter Flügelzittern den Partner um Futter an. Es bekommt auch tatsächlich Futter. Die Palmtauben sind zumindest für eine Fortpflanzungssaison monogam. U. a. spielen wechselseitige Gefiederpflege und Anschlußbruten sowie die Fütterung des durch das eine wichtige Rolle für das Zusammenleben und -bleiben der Partner. Der Nistplatz wird vom gezeigt, aber vom gewählt. Das Nistmaterial wird vom eingetragen und im allgemeinen vom alleine in das Nest eingefügt. Nur während des Brutwechsels bringt auch das hin und wieder Nistmaterial, das aber wahrscheinlich nur für den Partner, nicht für das Nest dient. In den späteren Phasen des Brütens gilt dies wahrscheinlich auch für das . 1–4 Tage nach dem Nestbaubeginn wird gegen Abend das erste Ei gelegt, womit auch das Brüten anfängt. Das zweite Ei folgt dann rund 38 Stunden später.

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On the reproductive behaviour of the Laughing Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis): pair-formation to egg-laying

Summary In Diyarbakr/Turkey, the reproductive season of the Laughing Dove begins in early February and lasts til mid November. One pair may start with breeding up to seven times a year. The frequency of copulations which could be observed only after pair formation increased considerably in the week before incubation starts. During incubation and during the first week of the nestling period no copulations could be observed. Usually copulations are initiated by the male pecking behind its folded wings (displacement-preening). Before mating, the female turns into infantile behaviour begging food from its partner by wing-twitching. Food is then delivered by the male. After mating the female parades around the male which stays motionless. Paired birds stay together at least during one reproductive season. Reinforcement of the pair bond will be achieved by mutual preening, courtship feeding of the female by the male, and successive broods. The male indicates the nest site which is successively chosen by the female. The nest material is brought by the male and usually placed by the female at the nest site. Only during change-overs the female sometimes brings nesting material, too. However, this material probably is for the partner, not actually for the nest. The same may be true for similar behaviour of the male in late stages of incubation. One to four days after nest building has started the first egg is laid, mostly in late afternoon. Incubation starts with the first egg; the second egg is laid about 38 hours later.

     

Prolific shoot regeneration from immature embryo explants of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.)

Summary Immature cotyledons and embryo axes of sainfoin were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with various concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and a-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) to induce adventitious shoot regeneration. The highest frequency of shoot regeneration occurred following an initial callus growth on a MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l BAP and 2 mg/l NAA. Immature embryo axes showed higher regeneration capacity than immature cotyledons, however, shoot elongation was best achieved on immature cotyledons. Regenerated shoots were excised and rooted in half strength MS medium with 1 mg/l indole-butyric acid (IBA) or 1 mg/l NAA. The rooted plantlets were finally transferred to compost.     

Plasma selenium levels in rheumatoid arthritis

The plasma selenium (Se) levels were determined in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and healthy controls. Plasma Se levels in 60 patients were found to be significantly lower than those in 60 normal, healthy controls (p<0.001). Similar significant differences were determined in sex-matched comparisons between patients and controls (p<0.001) but there was no significant difference in plasma Se levels in sex-matched comparisons in both groups (p>0.05). Our results suggest that Se is an important factor in RA.     

The protective effect of arbutin against potassium bromate-induced oxidative damage in the rat brain

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of arbutin (ARB) against brain injury induced in rats with potassium bromate (KBrO₃). The rats were divided into four groups as Group 1: Control (0.9% NaCl ml/kg/day p.), Group 2: KBrO₃ (100 mg/kg (gavage), Group 3: ARB (50 mg/kg/day p.), and Group 4: KBrO₃ + ARB (100 mg/kg (gavage) + 50 mg/kg/day p.). At the end of the fifth day of the study, the rats in all groups were killed, and their brain tissues were collected. In the collected brain tissues, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) levels were measured, and routine histopathological examinations were made. The MDA levels in the group that was exposed to KBrO₃ were significantly higher than those in the control group (p ˂ 0.001). In comparison to the KBrO₃ group, the MDA levels in the KBrO₃ + ARB group were significantly lower (p ˂ 0.001). It was observed that SOD and CAT enzyme activity levels were significantly lower in the KBrO₃ group compared to the control group (p ˂ 0.001), while these levels were significantly higher in the KBrO₃ + ARB group than in the KBrO₃ group (p ˂ 0.001). Additionally, the group that was subjected to KBrO₃ toxicity, as well as ARB administration, had much lower levels of histopathologic signs than the group that was subjected to KBrO₃ toxicity only. Consequently, it was found that KBrO₃ exposure led to injury in the brain tissues of the rats, and using ARB was effective in preventing this injury.     

Propolis Enhances 5-Fluorouracil Mediated Antitumor Efficacy and Reduces Side Effects in Colorectal Cancer: An in Vitro and in Vivo Study

In this study, we investigated the combined treatment of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and Anatolian propolis extract (PE) on colorectal cancer (CRC)using in vitro and in vivo studies. We exposed luciferase-transfected (Lovo-Luc CRC) cells and healthy colon cells (CCD-18Co) to varying concentrations of 5-FU and PE to assess their genotoxic, apoptotic, and cytotoxic effects, as well as their intracellular reactive oxygen species (iROS) levels. We also developed a xenograft model in nude mice and evaluated the anti-tumor effects of PE and 5-FU using various methods. Our findings showed that the combination of PE and 5-FU had selectivity against cancer cells, particularly at higher doses, and enhanced the anti-tumor effectiveness of 5-FU against colon CRC. The results suggest that PE can reduce side effects and increase the effectiveness of 5-FU through iROS generation in a dose-dependent manner.