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.     

Characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales from organic and conventional chicken meats

This study was conducted to isolate and identify extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales in conventional and organic chicken meats, which were sold in Turkey. A total of 200 raw chicken meat sample (100 conventional and 100 organic) were used as material. Classic culture technique based on chromogenic method was used for the isolation of bacteria, and the identification was performed with VITEK MS. Phenotypic ESBL production was detected by combined disc diffusion method. Gene regions responsible for ESBL production were determined by PCR. MIC values of isolates were detected by VITEK 2. Phenotypic ESBL-producing Enterobacterales were detected in 46% of conventional chicken meats and in 22% of organic chicken meats. Of the 115 isolates obtained, 97 (84%) were Escherichia coli, 12 (10%) were Klebsiella pneumoniae, four (3·48%) were Serratia fonticola, one (0·87%) was Rahnella aquatilis, and one (0·87%) was Serratia liquefaciens. PCR analysis revealed that 109 of 115 isolates (94·78%) contained at least one of the bla_CTX-M, bla_TEM, and bla_SHV genes. Of the 115 ESBL-producing isolates, 103 (89·57%) were found resistant to at least one antibiotic except for the β-lactam group. The contamination level of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales was higher in conventional chicken meats (P < 0·001).     

Putative candidate genes for blood pressure control in the SHR.BN-RNO8 congenic substrains

The SHR-Lx congenic strain carrying a differential segment of chromosome 8 of BN and PD origin was recently shown to exhibit a significant decrease in blood pressure as compared to the SHR strain. There were two positional candidate genes for blood pressure control mapped to the differential segment: the rat kidney epithelial potassium channel gene (Kcnj1) and brain dopamine receptor 2 gene (Drd2). Bot these genes were separated into SHR.BN-RNO8 congenic substrains. In this communication, we are presenting the assignment of two further putative candidate genes, which might be involved in blood pressure control to the BN/PD differential segment of the SHR-Lx congenic strain. These are: the gene coding for smooth muscle cell specific protein 22 (Sm22) defined by the D8Mcw1 marker and neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene cluster, defined by the D8Bord1 marker. Moreover, the glutamate receptor gene Grik4 which also maps to the differential segment of the SHR-Lx should be taken into account. The genetic separation of all these putative candidate genes of blood pressure control is being performed by recombinations and subsequent selection using (SHR×SHR-Lx) intercross population.     

Flexural properties of repaired heat‐polymerising acrylic resin after wetting with monomer and acetone

doi:10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2009.00321.x
Flexural properties of repaired heat‐polymerising acrylic resin after wetting with monomer and acetone Objectives: Repair strength can be improved by treating fractured surfaces of a denture. Background: This study investigated flexural properties of heat‐polymerised acrylic resin specimens repaired with auto‐polymerising and visible light curing (VLC) resins after the repair surfaces were wetted with monomers or acetone. Materials and Methods: Fifty‐four specimens (65 × 10 × 2.5 mm) were prepared and 48 of them were sectioned to simulate denture fracture. Butt‐joint designed repair surfaces were wetted with heat‐, auto‐polymerising monomers and acetone for 180 s and repaired with auto‐polymerising and VLC resins. After repairs, specimens were subjected to three‐point bending test and flexural strength, strain, fracture load, modulus of elasticity and deflection values were recorded. Data were analysed with Student t and LSD tests (p ≤ 0.05). Results: Overall flexural strength, strain, fracture load and deflection values of specimens repaired with VLC resin were significantly higher than the specimens repaired with auto‐polymerising resin for all types of wetting agent (p < 0.05). Within the wetting agents, heat‐ and auto‐polymerising monomers produced the best mechanical properties, while wetting with acetone did not provide superior effect over both monomers. Conclusion: In clinical use, wetting the repair surfaces may result in stronger repairs. The use of bonding agent in VLC resin repairs in combination with wetting agent results in improved flexural properties.     

Reiteration frequency of procollagen genes in the guinea pig genome: Collagen genes are not amplified during granuloma fibroblasts differentiation

Procollagen mRNA was purified from collagen synthesizing polysomes obtained from an experimental guinea pig granuloma, and iodinated in vitro. The procollagen ¹²⁵I-labelled mRNA was hibridized with granuloma and liver guinea pig DNA in vast DNA excess conditions. A Cot $\text{1}\text{2}$ 800–900 mol · s · l^?1 for both tissues was obtained from the hybridization curves. With these results, we could suggest the existence of 11–13 procollagen genes per haploid genome. By the analysis of the hybridization data it was possible to infer that there is no genomic amplification in tissues highly specialized in the synthesis of collagen such as granuloma.     

The Effects of the Porosity of a Support and of Attachment on the Mode of Action of Immobilized Endopolygalacturonase

Endopolygalacturonase of Aspergillus sp. was immobilized by three different methods; viz. (a) via amino groups, (b) via carboxyl groups and (c) by means of epoxy groups to a nonporous microparticular silicon dioxide (Cabosil), functionalized by 3-(amino)-propyl groups and 3-(2',3'-epoxypropoxy)-propyl groups, respectively. The conjugates were compared in their mode of action with corresponding immobilized preparations based on microporous ceramics. The binding via amino groups and via carboxyl groups lead, by itself, to changes in the mode of action of the enzyme, consisting of a decrease in randomness of glycosidic linkage splitting. The changes were greater in microporous support conjugates due to additional size-exclusion effects. The action pattern of endopolygalacturonase bound by means of epoxy groups was modulated exclusively by the porosity of the support, whereas the binding alone did not play any role.