The effect of various modes of surgical injury of rat buccal mucosa on the content of basic fibroblast growth factor and interleukins 1β and 6 in the dynamics of reparative processes

The content of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and also interleukins 1β and 6 (IL-1β and IL-6) has been investigated in rat buccal mucosa after its surgical injury by an erbium laser (Er:YAG laser) and a scalpel. The laser emission caused a sharp increase in the content of these regulators on the second day after treatment followed by decrease observed on the seventh day. These results may reflect synergistic effect of these peptide regulators in the wound defect. Changes in time-course of bFGF, IL-1β and IL-6 release in the wound formed by the laser beam compared with the wound induced by the cutting instrument may promote earlier appearance of the proliferation phase.     

Studies on the phytoplankton of the River Ganges,Varanasi, India,Part II “The seasonal growth and succession of the plankton algae in the River Ganges”

Summary An attempt has been made to find out the productivity and periodicity of the phytoplankton in relation to the physical and chemical characteristics of the river Ganges, between University Ghat and Raj Ghat at Varanasi. The observations were taken during a single year (i.e., March 1957 to March 1958). The chemical analyses of the water and estimates of the number of phytoplankton were made on samples collected fortnightly.The phytoplankton has proved to be eutrophic and polymixic in nature. Diatoms formed the largest bulk, blue-greens being the second major constituent while the green algae formed the third in order of abundance with, however, large number of species. A definite phytoplankton periodicity has been noticed and found to be seasonal in character.Correlations between the phytoplankton periodicity and population maxima, with the habitat factors revealed depletion of nutrients like, nitrogen, phosphate, silica, carbon, magnesium and sulphates.Changes in the phytoplankton populations were clearly evident more in relation to physical than to chemical conditions of the water. Changes in water-level, transparency and temperature affected the growth of the phytoplankton.High alkalinity and buffering capacity resulted in preferential growth of diatoms and blue-green algae. Rich phosphates and silicates coupled with moderate nitrogen contents were responsible for high phytoplankton yields in summer and winter seasons.The abundance of blue-greens may be due to the higher values of pH, temperature, dissolved organic matter, phosphate, nitrogen, and relatively high values of dissolved oxygen. Green algae showed a wide range of adaptability but could not develop in any abundance.