In vitro Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of Extracts of Endemic Tanacetum erzincanense Together with Phenolic Content by LC-ESI-QTOF-MS

In this study, phenolic composition, and in vitro biological activities of ethyl acetate (EAE) and methanol (ME) extracts obtained from the aerial parts of endemic Tanacetum erzincanense were investigated. Total phenolic and flavonoid content of the extracts were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods, respectively. Antioxidant capacity of the extracts was evaluated over radical scavenging (DPPH and ABTS) and metal ion reducing power (FRAP and CUPRAC) tests. Individual phenolic compounds in ME was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF/MS). Cell inhibitory potential of the extracts was tested against colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), and hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells by 2,3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) assay. The results showed that ME contains higher TPC (64.4 mg GAE/g) and TFC (62.2 mg QE/g) than those of EAE (41.5 mg GAE/g and 40.0 mg QE/g). LC-ESI-QTOF/MS analysis revealed that ME is rich in phenolic compounds, namely, chlorogenic acid, apigenin, quercetin, luteolin, and diosmetin. Antioxidant assay results indicated that ME possess stronger activity than EAE and a power that competes with synthetic antioxidants. XTT assay results demonstrated that although both extracts displayed a considerable cytotoxicity against the tested cancer cell lines in a time and dose-dependent manner, ME expressed its selective inhibitory action towards MCF-7 cells with an IC₅₀ value of 20.4 μg/mL for 72 h. These results may serve as a basis for further in vivo studies to examine the potential applications of T. erzincanense in food and pharmaceutical industries.     

A new biopesticide from a local <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus thuringiensis</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">tenebrionis</Emphasis> (Xd3) against alder leaf beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Use of chemical pesticides in agriculture harms humans, non-target organisms and environments, and causes increase resistance against chemicals. In order to develop an effective bio-pesticide against coleopterans, particularly against Agelastica alni (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) which is one of the serious pests of alder leaf and hazelnut, we tested the insecticidal effect of 21 Bacillus isolates against the larvae and adults of the pest. Bacillus thuringiensis var. tenebrionis-Xd3 (Btt-Xd3) showed the highest insecticidal effect based on screening tests. For toxin protein production and high sporulation of Xd3, the most suitable medium, pH and temperature conditions were determined as nutrient broth medium enriched with salts, pH 7 and 30?°C, respectively. Sporulated Btt-Xd3 in nutrient broth medium enriched with salts transferred to fermentation medium containing soybean flour, glucose and salts. After fermentation, the mixture was dried in a spray dryer, and spore count of the powder product was determined as 1.6?×?10¹⁰ c.f.u. g^?1. Moisture content, suspensibility and wettability of the formulation were determined as 8.3, 86% and 21 s, respectively. Lethal concentrations (LC₅₀) of formulated Btt-Xd3 were determined as 0.15?×?10⁵ c.f.u. ml^?1 for larvae at laboratory conditions. LC₅₀ values were also determined as 0.45?×?10⁶ c.f.u. ml^?1 at the field condition on larval stage. Our results showed that a new bio-pesticide developed from B. thuringiensis tenebrionis (Xd3) (Btt-Xd3) may be valuable as a biological control agent for coleopteran pests.     

Effects of NaCl and Proline on Polyphenol Oxidase Activity in Bean Seedlings

In this work, the effects of NaCl (0, 50, 100, and 150 mM), proline (0, 5 and 10 mM) and NaCl + proline in combinations on activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO; E.C. 1.10.3.1) and soluble protein content have been investigated in the root, stem and leaf tissues of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seedlings grown in embryo culture. PPO activities were higher in all the tissues treated with NaCl, proline and NaCl + proline combinations those that of the control tissues. The protein content was very high in tissues exposed to proline and NaCl + proline combination, but NaCl alone decreased protein contents in root and leaf tissues. The results suggest that proline may play a role as an enzyme-stabilizing agent in salt stress.     

Production of Doubled Haploids from Androgenic Embryoids and Plantlets of Tobacco

In four experiments, the chromosome doubling effect of acenaphthene vapour was tested on androgenic embryoids and/or plantlets of tobacco. The maximum rate of plants with doubled chromosome numbers (41.3 % diploids plus 2.7 % tetraploids) was recorded when approx. 100 mg acenaphthene in small and sterilized cheese-cloth bags were hanged for 72 h, into the culture jars (6.0 × 11.5 cm), containing 4 – 6 androgenic plantlets newly transferred from culture tubes. Acenaphthene treatments performed at the earlier stages of culture resulted in lower percentages (from 0.0 to 6.3 %). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Life history of hawthorn spider mite Amphitetranychus viennensis (Acarina: Tetranychidae) on various apple cultivars and at different temperatures

Development duration and reproduction rate of hawthorn spider mite Amphitetranychus viennensis (Zacher) were carried out on five different apple cultivars (Amasya (local cultivar), Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Starking Delicious and Starkrimson Delicious) at 25 degrees C, 65 +/- 10% RH and 16:8 L:D. In addition, the same parameters were determined on Golden Delicious leaves at three constant temperatures (20, 30 and 35 degrees C, 65 +/- 10% RH and 16:8 L:D) in the laboratory. A. viennensis showed a better performance on Golden Delicious than on the other apple cultivars. This was mainly due to a short development time (10.7 days), high daily egg production (5.2 eggs/female/day) and early reproduction peak. The highest intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) was determined on the variety Golden Delicious (rm = 0.247/day), while the lowest one was observed on the variety Starking Delicious (rm = 0.215/day). The developmental periods of A. viennensis varied from 7.4 to 18.8 days at 35 and 20 degrees C for females, while it varied from 7.9 to 17.2 days at 30 and 20 degrees C for males. The development threshold of the eggs and pre-adult stages were 9.72 and 9.07 degrees C, total effective temperature was 72.99 and 185.18 degree-days, respectively. The mean generation time (To) of the population ranged from 16.13 days at 30 degrees C to 29.15 days at 20 degrees C. The net reproductive rate (R0) increased from 54.33 female/female at 20 degrees C to 78.34 female/female at 25 degrees C, and decreased to 75.71 female/female at 30 degrees C. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was reached at 30 C (rm = 0.268/day), the lowest one at 20 degrees C (rm = 0.136/day).     

Cadmium-induced changes in epithelial cells of the rat stomach

The aim of this study was to determine the changes in the function and fine structure of the gastric mucosa following exposure to high cadmium (Cd) for 30 d in rats. In the present study, control antimals were fed with normal food and tap water and the remaining animals received Cd (15 ppm CdCl₂) in drinking water for the same period. Receiving Cd for 30 d increased the mean blood (p<0.01) and mucosa (p<0.001) Cd levels, while decreased mucus thickness, mucin content (p<0.01) significantly. Basal acid output fell significantly (p<0.01). Light and electron microscopic examination revealed the following: (1) Cd decreases the mean number of surface mucous, isthmic-neck, parietal cells (p<0.05) and chief cells (p<0.001) per unit from the control value and (2) in some cells of zymogenic unit, the Cd-induced alterations were characterized with dilated Golgi cisternae, focal enlarged endoplasmic reticulum, broken tubulovesicles, degenerated mitochondria, dense nuclei, as well as lysosomal structures. We concluded that Cd augments the elimination rate of zymogenic unit’s cells by increasing the alteration rate, and the reduced basal acid output, mucin content, and mucus thickness can be explained easily with the loss of zymogenic unit’s cell population.     

呼吸道合胞病毒感染不同气道上皮细胞的病变特点及易感性分析

为了比较几种不同气道上皮细胞对呼吸道合胞病毒（Respiratory syncytial virus,RSV）感染后病变特点及易感性。采用RSV A2株感染Hep-2、A549、16HBE、BEAS-2B细胞后,奥林巴斯倒置免疫荧光显微镜观察细胞病变效应,免疫荧光检测RSV N蛋白表达及空斑实验测定细胞培养上清液中病毒滴度。结果显示RSV A2株感染Hep-2细胞后最早形成典型的合胞病变,A549细胞次之,16HBE及BEAS-2B形成病变的时间最晚。免疫荧光检测到RSV N蛋白表达特点与细胞病变特点一致。RSV A2在Hep-2上产生的病毒滴度最高,A549细胞次之,在16HBE上产生的病毒滴度最低。提示Hep-2、A549细胞对RSV具有高度易感性,以Hep-2最为敏感。而16HBE、BEAS-2B细胞对RSV感染不敏感,其中16HBE最不敏感。本研究可为选择合适的上皮细胞进行RSV相关研究奠定基础。     

Screening antimicrobial activity of various extracts of Artemisia dracunculus L

The antimicrobial activities of chloroform, acetone and two different concentrations of methanol extracts of Artemisia dracunculus L. were studied. These extracts were tested against nine bacteria and four yeasts strains by the disc diffusion method. The results indicated that the methanol extract of A. dracunculus is more effective against tested microorganisms than chloroform or acetone extracts. The chloroform and acetone extracts were inhibitory only towards Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853). While the methanol extract that was diluted with 10 ml distilled water showed inhibition zones against Shigella (RSHI), Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644, P. aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), the methanol extract that was diluted with 5 ml distilled water showed inhibition zones against two different strains of Escherichia coli (RSHI, ATCC 25922), Shigella (RSHI), L. monocytogenes (ATCC 7644), and P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853. The cells of microorganisms treated with plant extracts and normal microorganism cells were observed by scanning electron microscope. It was apparent that cells are damaged after treatment with A. dracunculus.     

Serum Concentration of Copper,Zinc, Iron,and Cobalt and the Copper/Zinc Ratio in Horses with Equine Herpesvirus-1

The serum concentrations of copper, zinc, iron, and cobalt and copper/zinc ratio were investigated in horses infected with equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). Nine horses were naturally infected with the virus and nine healthy horses served as controls. The concentrations of copper, zinc, iron, and cobalt were determined spectrophotometrically in the blood serum of all horses. The results were (expressed in micrograms per deciliters) copper 2.80 ± 0.34 vs 1.12 ± 0.44, zinc 3.05 ± 0.18 vs 0.83 ± 0.06, iron 2.76 ± 0.17 vs 3.71 ± 0.69, cobalt 0.19 ± 0.37 vs 0.22 ± 0.45, and copper/zinc ratio 0.72 ± 0.38 vs 1.41 ± 0.36 for control vs infected group, respectively. In conclusion, copper and zinc concentrations of the infected group were lower than the control group (p < 0.001), whereas iron concentration and the copper/zinc ratio of the infected group were higher than the control group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001). The cobalt concentration was not found to be statistically different between two groups. It might be emphasized that copper/zinc ratio was significantly affected by the EHV-1 infection, so it could be taken into consideration during the course of infection. An erratum to this article can be found at