Influence of the Włocławek Reservoir on hydrochemistry and plankton of a large,lowland river (the Lower Vistula River,Poland)

The research on the W?oc?awek Reservoir (WR), situated on the Lower Vistula River (Poland), was carried out during two periods: between 1986 and 2002, hydrochemistry was studied, and between 1994 and 2000 – plankton. WR is 70 km² in area, its capacity is 370 × 10⁶ m³ and the retention time with the average flow rate (Q) amounts to 930 m³ s^?1 – only 5 days (!). Until 2002, due to cyclic work of a hydroelectric power plant, considerable variability in the daily flow rate was recorded (from 600 to 1800 m³ s^?1). Its specific hydrology and fluvial character mean that WR functions in a completely different way compared to dam reservoirs described in textbooks, with significantly longer retention time.WR significantly improves most of the water quality variables in the river. It reduces the concentration of suspended matter (on average by more than 50%), P_tot (by 16%), BOD₅ (by 40%) and chlorophyll “a” (by 50–60%) (unpublished data).Phytoplankton is rich in species – altogether 441 taxa, with the count of 7.4 × 10⁶ individuals per dm^?3 and biomass of 16 mg dm^?3. Throughout the research period, a significant reduction in the abundance of phytoplankton was recorded in WR, sometimes more than 60%. The total number of zooplankton taxa at the site upstream from WR and in the reservoir was almost identical (68 and 67), however in the reservoir itself, a small decrease in the number of Rotifera species and an increase in the number of Crustacea species was observed, as well as a significant, fourfold increase in the total zooplankton biomass. The aforementioned reduction of phytoplankton and enrichment of the river with Crustacea are one of the major biocenotic consequences of the functioning of the W?oc?awek Reservoir.     

The distribution of chlorophyll a in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean in boreal autumn

The distribution and size fractions of chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean in boreal autumn were investigated during October and November, 2011. Environmental factors, including hydrology and nutrients, that might affect the distribution and size composition were analyzed. A total of 18 stations including 11 CTD stations and 7 navigation stations were selected which stretch from the northwest coast of South America to the area of the central Pacific Ocean south of the Hawaiian Islands (2.77°S–13.02°N, 84.11–154.02°W). The studied area can be divided into two transects: the 6°N transect (124–148°W) and the154°W transect (10–13°N). Results showed that the surface Chl a concentration was higher in the east near the northwest coast of South America (>0.200 mg/m³) and lower in the west (0.100–0.200 mg/m³), and it presented a highly significant negative correlation with sea surface temperature (p < 0.001). There were some differences between the sectional distribution of Chl a concentration between the 6°N and 154°W transects. The high values of Chl a concentration occurred near the surface along the 6°N transect (0–75 m), while they were relatively deeper along the 154°W transect (50–100 m). Iron might be the factor that limited the growth of phytoplankton in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. Picophytoplankton (Pico) was the dominant taxa in the surveyed area, particularly in the waters along the two transects (>70% of total Chl a). The Pico to total Chl a ratio was higher in the upper layer (>70%) than in the deeper layer.     

Modeling studies on mono and binary component biosorption of phenol and cyanide from aqueous solution onto activated carbon derived from saw dust

Biosorption is an effective treatment method for the removal of phenol and cyanide from aqueous solution by saw dust activated carbon (SDAC). Batch experiments were achieved as a function of several experimental parameters, i.e. influence of biosorbent dose (5–60 g/L) contact time (2–40 h), pH (4–12), initial phenol concentration (100–1000 mg/L) and initial cyanide concentration (10–100 mg/L) and temperature (20–40 °C). The biosorption capacities of the biosorbent were detected as 178.85 mg/g for phenol with 300 mg/L of initial concentration and 0.82 mg/g for cyanide with 30 mg/L of initial concentration. The optimum pH is found to be 8 for phenol and 9 for cyanide biosorption. The mono component biosorption equilibrium data for both phenol and cyanide were well defined by Redlich–Peterson model and binary component adsorption equilibrium data well fitted by extended Freundlich model. The percentage removal of phenol and cyanide using SDAC was 66.67% and 73.33%, respectively. Equilibrium established within 30 h for phenol and 28 h for cyanide. Kinetic studies revealed that biosorption of phenol followed pseudo second order indicating adsorption through chemisorption and cyanide followed pseudo first order kinetic model indicating adsorption through physisorption. Thermodynamic studies parameters, i.e., enthalpy (Δh₀), entropy (ΔS₀) and Gibb’s free energy (ΔG₀) have also been considered for the system. Thermodynamic modeling studies revealed that the process of cyanide biosorption was endothermic and phenol biosorption was exothermic in nature.     

Spectral lights trigger biomass accumulation and production of antioxidant secondary metabolites in adventitious root cultures of Stevia rebaudiana (Bert.)

Stevia rebaudiana (S. rebaudiana) is the most important therapeutic plant species and has been accepted as such worldwide. It has a tendency to accumulate steviol glycosides, which are 300 times sweeter than marketable sugar. Recently, diabetic patients commonly use this plant as a sugar substitute for sweet taste. In the present study, the effects of different spectral lights were investigated on biomass accumulation and production of secondary metabolites in adventitious root cultures of S. rebaudiana. For callus development, leaf explants were excised from seed-derived plantlets and inoculated on a Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing the combination of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2, 4-D, 2.0 mg/l) and 6-benzyladenine (BA, 2.0 mg/l), while 0.5 mg/l naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) was used for adventitious root culture. Adventitious root cultures were exposed to different spectral lights (blue, green, violet, red and yellow) for a 30-day period. White light was used as control. The growth kinetics was studied for 30 days with 3-day intervals. In this study, the violet light showed the maximum accumulation of fresh biomass (2.495 g/flask) as compared to control (1.63 g/flask), while red light showed growth inhibition (1.025 g/flask) as compared to control. The blue light enhanced the highest accumulation of phenolic content (TPC; 6.56 mg GAE/g DW), total phenolic production (TPP; 101 mg/flask) as compared to control (5.44 mg GAE/g DW; 82.2 mg GAE/g DW), and exhibited a strong correlation with dry biomass. Blue light also improved the accumulation of total flavonoid content (TFC; 4.33 mg RE/g DW) and total flavonoid production (TFP; 65 mg/flask) as compared to control. The violet light showed the highest DPPH inhibition (79.72%), while the lowest antioxidant activity was observed for control roots (73.81%). Hence, we concluded that the application of spectral lights is an auspicious strategy for the enhancement of the required antioxidant secondary metabolites in adventitious root cultures of S. rebaudiana and of other medicinal plants.     

Effects of age on slaughter performance and meat quality of Binlangjang male buffalo

Twelve representative buffalo were selected from 22 suckling calves, 41 weaned calves, 57 reserve bulls and 20 adult bulls for slaughter. The study aims to assess the effect of age on dressing percentage, meat percentage and carcass meat yield and physico-chemical properties of longissimus dorsi and biceps femoris, and to evaluate the correlation between live weight and marbling, backfat thickness, rib eye area. The results showed that the slaughter performance and meat quality of Binlangjang male buffalo showed an obvious change with age. The dressing percentage decreased from 54.93% to 51.22% with the increase of age, while meat percentage and carcass meat yield increased gradually with age, which were 34.58–38.59%, 62.95–75.34%; Marbling, backfat thickness and rib eye area increased with age, and there was significant difference between the situation before 3 months and after 12 months of age (P < 0.05). The moisture content was maximum at birth, which then gradually decreased, but the difference was insignificant (P > 0.05). The levels of fat, protein, cholesterol and inosine acid were significantly different before 3 months of age from those after 12 months (P < 0.05). Cholesterol content was negatively correlated with age, the minimum was 80.25 mg/100 g; Inosine acid content increased with age, reaching 133.11 mg/100 g. Marbling, backfat thickness, rib eye area had a high correlation with live weight, with correlation coefficients respectively at 0.9096, 0.9291, 0.9551. Based on the prediction model of live weight, Buffaloes was suitable for slaughtering for superior slaughter performance and meat quality after 24 months of age.     

The threshold responses of phytoplankton community to nutrient gradient in a shallow eutrophic Chinese lake

Excessive nutrient loads resulted in cascading trophic effects and ecosystem responses. Aims of this study were to determine if the thresholds in nutrient gradient related to phytoplankton community composition could be identified in eutrophic lake, and further to analyze the change of phytoplankton assemblage along the nutrient concentration based on Threshold Indicator Taxa ANalysis (TITAN). The results presented the significant community thresholds estimate for negative taxa declining at 1.650 mg/L TN and 131.5 μg/L TP, as well as simultaneously increasing for positive taxa at 1.665 mg/L TN and 151.5 μg/L TP along nutrient enrichment gradient. However, there was unremarkable change point determined for TN:TP ratios in Lake Dianchi. Elevated TN and TP altered the phytoplankton assemblage, even may induce the fade of algal blooms across the threshold in the hypertrophic lake. The findings could provide implications for deeply deciphering abrupt transitions for phytoplankton assemblage and developing nutrient tactics to protect the lake ecosystems.     

Zataria multiflora would attenuate the hepatotoxicity of long-term albendazole treatment in mice with cystic echinococcosis

Hepatic injury is the major limitation of long-term albendazole administration in patients with cystic echinococcosis (CE), which could give rise to cessation of treatment. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the protective effects of Zataria multiflora aromatic water (AW) against the hepatic injury induced by long-term albendazole treatment in mice with CE. Fifty healthy BALB/c female mice were infected intraperitoneally by injection of 1500 protoscoleces per animal. Five months after infection, the infected animals were divided into five treatment groups including Z. multiflora (40 ml/l in drinking water for 90 days), albendazole (200 mg/kg/day for 90 days), Z. multiflora + albendazole 200 (40 ml/l Z. multiflora and 200 mg/kg/day albendazole for 90 days), Z. multiflora + albendazole100 (40 ml/l Z. multiflora and 100 mg/kg/day albendazole for 90 days), and untreated (control) group. At the end of the treatment period, anesthesia was performed and blood samples were collected directly from the heart prior to euthanasia. Liver variables and oxidative stress markers were measured in the blood serum samples. A decrease in serum liver enzyme activity in the both Z. multiflora + albendazole groups was observed when compared to control, Z. multiflora and albendazole groups; however, the results for Z. multiflora + albendazole 100 were significant (p < 0.007) and superior compared to those for Z. multiflora + albendazole 200. No significant differences for oxidative stress markers were observed between the different groups. The results of the present study revealed that a combined therapy with Z. multiflora AW and albendazole is effective against hepatic injury induced by CE and/or long term albendazole administration in mice with cystic echinococcosis.     

Water quality changes in relation to Diptera community patterns and diversity measured at an organic effluent impacted stream in the Niger Delta,Nigeria

Impact of abattoir effluents (characterized by intestinal and stomach contents of slaughtered animals, ashes from roasted animals and blood stains) on water quality, distribution and abundance of Diptera were investigated in an urban stream, River Orogodo, Southern Nigeria, from July 2003 to June 2004. Water quality changes indicated significant differences (p < 0.05) in conductivity, dissolved oxygen, BOD₅, COD, total hardness, nitrate-nitrogen and phosphate-phosphorus between the three stations sampled. Higher values of these parameters were observed at the impacted station. The abundance and community structure of Diptera patterns, especially Chironomidae, Culicidae and Syrphidae families (all indicative of poor water quality) showed strong evidence of impact from the abattoir effluents. Comparisons of abundance values demonstrated high significance (p < 0.05) between the impacted station and the upstream (station 1) and downstream station (station 3). Shannon index and Berger–Parker dominance were greater at the impacted station (station 2). Analysis of faunal similarities showed that upstream station 1(unpolluted site) was significantly different from stations 2 and 3. The distinct taxa found in station 2 (the impacted station) suggest that the organic input from the abattoir favoured their abundance as most of them were opportunistic species.     

Liquid state fermentation of apple pomace sludge for the production of ligninolytic enzymes and liberation of polyphenolic compounds

Ligninolytic enzyme production and polyphenolic compound extraction by liquid-state culture of Phanerochaete chrysosporium ATCC 24275 was investigated by employing apple pomace sludge and synthetic medium. Different physico-chemical and biological parameters namely viscosity, zeta potential and particle size, viability and enzyme production were investigated. The ligninolytic enzyme production was higher in apple pomace sludge (45 U/l of laccase, 220 U/l of MnP and 6.5 U/l of LiP) than in synthetic medium (17 U/l of laccase, 37 U/l of MnP and 6 U/l). These maximal activities were found during the stationary and decline phase. It was also found that enzyme production was strongly correlated with P. chrysoporium viability in both synthetic medium and apple pomace sludge. Moreover, physico-chemical parameters, such as particle size, zeta potential and viscosity were strongly correlated to the viability of P. chrysosporium and to the ligninolytic enzyme production. An increase in polyphenol content extracted by acetone (383–720 mg GAE/l) was observed during fermentation of apple pomace and it was found that the polyphenol content extracted by ethanol increased ～1.5 fold until 67 h of fermentation and later it decreased. It was found that antioxidant activity increased to 35% and eventually decreased based on the change in the polyphenol content.     

The interactive roles of nutrient loading and zooplankton grazing in facilitating the expansion of harmful algal blooms caused by the pelagophyte,Aureoumbra lagunensis,to the Indian River Lagoon,FL, USA

Confined to Texas, USA, for more than 20 years, brown tides caused by Aureoumbra lagunensis emerged in the Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon, Florida, USA, during 2012 and 2013, affording the opportunity to assess whether hypotheses developed regarding the occurrence of these blooms are ecosystem-specific. To examine the extent to which top-down (e.g. grazing) and bottom-up (e.g. nutrients) processes controlled the development of Aureoumbra blooms in Florida, nitrogen (N) uptake, nutrient amendment, and seawater-dilution, zooplankton grazing experiments were performed and the responses of Aureoumbra and competing phytoplankton were evaluated. During the study, Aureoumbra comprised up to 98% of total phytoplankton biomass, achieved cell densities exceeding 2 × 10⁶ cells mL⁻¹, and contained isotopically lighter N compared to non-bloom plankton populations, potentially reflecting the use of recycled N. Consistent with this hypothesis, N-isotope experiments revealed that urea and ammonium accounted for >90% of N uptake within bloom populations whereas nitrate was a primary N source for non-bloom populations. Low levels (10 μM) of experimental ammonium enrichment during blooms frequently enhanced the growth of Aureoumbra and resulted in the growth rates of Aureoumbra exceeding those of phycoerythrin-containing, but not phycocyanin-containing, cyanobacteria. A near absence of grazing pressure on Aureoumbra further enabled this species to out-grow other phytoplankton populations. Given this alga is generally known to resist zooplankton grazing under hypersaline conditions, these findings collectively suggest that moderate loading rates of reduced forms of nitrogenous nutrients (e.g ammonium, urea) into other subtropical, hypersaline lagoons could make them susceptible to future brown tides caused by Aureoumbra.     

Eco-Floristic studies of native plants of the Beer Hills along the Indus River in the districts Haripur and Abbottabad,Pakistan

The present study was conducted to elaborate vegetation composition structure to analyze role of edaphic and topographic factors on plant species distribution and community formation during 2013–14. A mixture of quadrat and transect methods were used. The size of quadrat for trees shrubs and herbs were 10 × 5, 5 × 2, 1 × 1 meter square respectively. Different phytosociological attribute were measured at each station. Primary results reported 123 plant species belong to 46 families. Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were dominant families with 8 species each. PCORD version 5 were used for Cluster and Two Way Cluster Analyses that initiated 4 plant communities within elevation range of 529–700 m from sea level. Indicator species analyses (ISA) were used to identify indicator species of each community. CANOCO Software (version 4.5) was used to measure the influence of edaphic and topographic variables on species composition, diversity and community formation. Whereas Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used to measure the effect of environmental variables which showed elevation and aspect were the stronger environmental variable among topographic and CaCO₃ contents, electric conductivity, soil pH were the stronger edaphic factors in determination of vegetation and communities of the Bheer Hills. Grazing pressure was one of the main anthropogenic factors in this regard.     

Antibacterial activity of selected medicinal plants of northwest Pakistan traditionally used against mastitis in livestock

The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of traditionally used anti-mastitis plants (Allium sativum, Bunium persicum, Oryza sativa and Triticum aestivum) in northwest Pakistan against bacterial pathogens. Selected plants were phytochemically screened for Alkaloids, Flavonoids, and Saponins and checked for in vitro antibacterial activity at concentration of 50 mg/ml against S. aureus, E. coli and K. pneumoniae by agar well diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration was determined against multidrug resistant bacteria using tube dilution method. All extracts were found to significantly inhibit (p < 0.01, p < 0.05) the activity against bacterial strains examined. Among phytochemicals, alkaloids of all tested antimastitis plants produced significantly higher inhibition zones against bacteria. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of phytochemicals and crude methanolic extracts against tested bacterial strains ranged between 12.5–50 mg/ml and 25–50 mg/ml, respectively. Medicinal plants traditionally used against mastitis are therapeutically active against bacterial pathogens. A. sativum and B. persicum were found to be potential candidate species for the development of novel veterinary drugs with low cost and fewer side effects.     

Metal complexes of crosslinked chitosans: Correlations between metal ion complexation values and thermal properties

A series of heavy metal complexes of crosslinked chitosans were evaluated by thermogravimetric studies. The metal complexes with Cu, Cd and Hg ions exhibiting the highest complexing ability to chitosans (Hg 354–364, Cu 100–112, and Cd 121–160, in mg/g chitosan), had the lowest onset of degradation temperatures (range 194–210 °C) and the lowest final degradation temperatures (generally less than 294–304 °C for Hg, 296–338 °C for Cu, and 305–368 °C for Cd complexes). Mn ion, with the lowest binding to chitosans (Mn 5–7 mg/g), showed the reverse behavior, having onset (240–248 °C) and final degradation temperatures (range 300–368 °C). Zn (binding 74–87 mg/g) and Pb (binding 39–62 mg/g) ions have a binding ability intermediate to Cu/Cd/Hg and Mn extremes, and therefore the effects on onset and final degradation temperatures are intermediate to these values.     

Synthesis and biological activity of novel tert-amylphenoxyalkyl (homo)piperidine derivatives as histamine H3R ligands

As a continuation of our search for novel histamine H₃ receptor ligands a series of twenty new tert-amyl phenoxyalkylamine derivatives (2–21) was synthesized. Compounds of four to eight carbon atoms spacer alkyl chain were evaluated on their binding properties at human histamine H₃ receptor (hH₃R). The highest affinities were observed for pentyl derivatives 6–8 (K_i = 8.8–23.4 nM range) and among them piperidine derivative 6 with K_i = 8.8 nM. Structures 6, 7 were also classified as antagonists in cAMP accumulation assay (with EC₅₀ = 157 and 164 nM, respectively). Moreover, new compounds were also evaluated for anticonvulsant activity in Antiepileptic Screening Program (ASP) at National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (USA). Seven compounds (2–4, 9, 11, 12 and 20) showed anticonvulsant activity at maximal electroshock (MES) test in the dose of 30 mg/kg at 0.5 h. In the subcutaneous pentetrazole (scMET) test compound 4 showed protection at 100 and 300 mg/kg dose at mice, however compounds showed high neurotoxicity in rotarod test at used doses. Also, molecular modeling studies were undertaken, to explain affinity of compounds at hH₃R (taking into the consideration X-ray analysis of compound 18). In order to estimate “drug-likeness” of selected compounds in silico and experimental evaluation of lipophilicity, metabolic stability and cytotoxicity was performed.     

Evaluation of a novel thermo-alkaline Staphylococcus aureus lipase for application in detergent formulations

An extracellular lipase of a newly isolated S. aureus strain ALA1 (SAL4) was purified from the optimized culture medium. The SAL4 specific activity determined at 60 °C and pH 12 by using olive oil emulsion or TC4, reached 7215 U/mg and 2484 U/mg, respectively. The 38 NH₂-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified enzyme starting with two extra amino acid residues (LK) was similar to known staphylococcal lipase sequences. This novel lipase maintained almost 100% and 75% of its full activity in a pH range of 4.0–12 after a 24 h incubation or after 0.5 h treatment at 70 °C, respectively. Interestingly, SAL4 displayed appreciable stability toward oxidizing agents, anionic and non-ionic surfactants in addition to its compatibility with several commercial detergents. Overall, these interesting characteristics make this new lipase promising for its application in detergent industry.     

Purification and characterisation of alliinase produced by Cupriavidus necator and its application for generation of cytotoxic agent: Allicin

Allicin, an extremely active constituent of freshly crushed garlic, is produced upon reaction of alliin with the enzyme alliinase (EC 4.4.1.4). A bacterium Cupriavidus necator with the ability of alliinase production was isolated from a soil sample and was identified by morphological, biochemical and 16S rRNA sequence. Alliinase production was optimised and it was further purified to apparent homogeneity with 103-fold purification and specific activity of 209 U/mg of protein by using DEAE Cellulose and Sephadex G-100 chromatography. The enzyme is a homodimer of molecular weight 110 kDa with two subunits of molecular weight 55 kDa each. The optimum activity of the purified enzyme was found at pH 7 and the optimum temperature was 35 °C. The enzyme exhibited maximum reaction rate (V_max) at 74.65 U/mg and Michaelis–Menten constant (K_m) was determined to be 0.83 mM when alliin was used as a substrate. The cytotoxic activity of in-situ generated allicin using purified alliinase and alliin was assessed on MIA PaCa-2 cell line using MTT assay and Acridine orange–ethidium bromide staining. This approach of in-situ allicin generation suggests a novel therapeutic strategy wherein alliin and alliinase work together synergistically to produce cytotoxic agent allicin.     

Evaluation of cytological and genetic effects of Tribulus terrestris fruit aqueous extract on cultured human lymphocytes

The current study was carried out to evaluate the genotoxic aspects of the aqueous extracts of the Tribulus terrestris fruits by comet assay and cytogenetic procedures conditions on cultured human peripheral blood lymphocyte. After the treatment of the lymphocytes with four concentrations of the aqueous fruit extract of T. terrestris (10, 20, 40 and 80 mg/L) for 24 h it was noticed that, the presence of micronuclei and/or chromosomal aberration were monitored and a significant increase of comet cells at high concentration of T. terrestris extract 80 mg/L. Also, this study showed that the presence of micronuclei, chromosomal aberration as a chromosomal gap, fragmentation, stickiness and necrotic cells were appeared and increased with high concentrations of T. terrestris fruits extract (40–80 mg/L). On the other hand, no significant difference was observed with the low concentration of the extract (10–20 mg/L) as compared with control. The current study refers to the ability of the extract of T. terrestris fruits to do damage in the target DNA at the higher concentrations. Thus, it could be considered that the aqueous extracts of the T. terrestris fruits have genotoxic effect in the therapeutic protocols if it used in high doses.     

Antileishmanial evaluation of clubbed bis(indolyl)-pyridine derivatives: One-pot synthesis,in vitro biological evaluations and in silico ADME prediction

A new series of bis(indolyl)-pyridine derivatives 6(a–m) were synthesized by Chichibabin reaction process and evaluated for antileishmanial and antibacterial activities to establish structure–activity relationship. The synthesis was carried out through one-pot multicomponent reaction of 3-acetylindole, aromatic aldehydes, and ammonium acetate in the presence of camphor-10-sulfonic acid as a catalyst. The compounds 6d (IC₅₀ = 102.47 μM) and 6f (IC₅₀ = 99.49 μM) had shown promising antileishmanial against L. donovani promastigotes when compared with standard sodium stibogluconate (IC₅₀ = 490.00 μM). All the synthesized compounds (MIC range = 41.35–228.69 μg/mL) had shown potent antibacterial activity than standard ampicillin (MIC range = 100.00–250.00 μg/mL) against all the tested bacterial strains. In silico ADME and metabolic site prediction studies were also held out to set an effective lead candidate for the future antileishmanial and antibacterial drug discovery initiatives.     

Maxillary tooth growth in the adult male babirusa (genus Babyrousa)

The growth of the maxillary canine teeth of the babirusa (genus Babyrousa) was studied on a sample of 149 adult male babirusa skulls from twenty-two international museum and private collections. Skulls from Buru, Sulawesi and the Togian Islands were represented. The continuous growth process was summarised into five stages (‘A’–‘E’) according to the position of the tip of the tooth over the bones of the skull. The supracutaneous portion of the tooth grew in a curve-linear fashion dorso-caudally, and was orientated such that the tips grew towards the midline of the cranium. The teeth of Sulawesi and Togian babirusa grew more dorsally over the nasal and frontal bones. Measurements were made on a subset of 45 teeth from Sulawesi babirusa skulls. The subcutaneous portion of the maxillary canine tooth (n = 22) increased in size from 37.3 mm (95% CI: 29.9–44.4 mm) in growth stage ‘B’ to 54.3 mm (49.4–59.2 mm) in growth stage ‘E’ as the erupted portion of the tooth (n = 19) lengthened from 81.3 mm (43.8–118.9 mm) in growth stage ‘A’ to 215.3 mm (177.8–252.9 mm) in growth stage ‘E’. The apical end of the tooth was open and thin-walled. The lumen of the tooth was filled with a cone of well vascularised dental pulp that extended almost to the tip of the tooth. The angle of curvature of the tooth within the alveolus (n = 22) decreased from 19.8 (17.3–22.3) degrees in growth stage ‘B’ to 7.4 (5.7–9.0) degrees in growth stage ‘E’. The corresponding supracutaneous angle of curvature (n = 25) reduced from 36.8 (33.6–40.1) degrees in growth stage ‘A’ to 10.7 (8.6–12.8) degrees in growth stage ‘E’.