Antimicrobial and antioxidative potential of free and immobilised cellobiose dehydrogenase isolated from wood degrading fungi

Cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH, EC 1.1.99.18) is a glycoprotein having many biotechnological applications. In the present study, CDHs isolated from Phlebia lindtneri (PlCDH), Phanerochaete chrysosporium (PchCDH), Cerrena unicolor (CuCDH), and Pycnoporus sanguineus (PsCDH) were studied the first time for their ability to generate antioxidant and antimicrobial agents. The aim of the research was to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of systems composed of four CDHs and lactose or cellobiose as a reaction substrate. The free radical scavenging effect of free and immobilised enzymes was evaluated using the DPPH method. The lowest values of EC₅₀ (10.04 ± 0.75 $\text{μg}$/ml) was noted for PlCDH/lactose and for PlCDH/cellobiose (12.06 ± 1.35 $\text{μg}$/ml). The EC₅₀value reached 12.6 ± 1.51 $\text{μg}$/ml in the case of PsCDH/lactose and 15.96 ± 1.35 for PsCDH. The CDH preparations were also effectively immobilised in alginate (the immobilisation efficiency expressed as a protein yield ranged from 61.6 to 100 %). The operational stability expressed as a scavenging effect showed the possibility of using the alginate beads 4 times. Both the free and immobilised CDHs as well as the CDH/substrate were tested against Gram-negative Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 bacteria. All samples, except PlCDH, were potentially effective in suppression of bacterial growth. The highest percentage of inhibition (100 %) was obtained for S. aureus bacteria using PsCDH and PchCDH with lactose as a substrate, whereas a slightly lesser effect was observed for E. coli and P. aeruginosa bacterial cells, i.e. 64.1 % and 86.5 % (PsCDH) and 94.1 % and 41.4 % (PchCDH), respectively. Furthermore, the concentrations of the reaction products (aldonic acids and hydrogen peroxide) were quantified and the surface morphology of the alginate beads was analysed using SEM visualisation.     

Magnetoreception in fish

Magnetoreception is the ability of organisms to perceive magnetic fields in the surrounding environment and changes in its properties such as field direction, intensity and gradient, where the effect on organisms can manifest as an array of reactions. As the magnetic sense is found in many taxa, both evolutionarily young and old, it can be assumed that magnetoreception came into existence as one of the first sensory systems. Many studies on the effect of magnetic fields on fishes have considered both fishes that migrate for long distances and those that are more or less sedentary. Research has focused on tracing the perception of the geomagnetic field by fishes and understanding magnetic fields that are smaller and larger than the ambient Earth's geomagnetic field. The question of the effect of magnetic fields of values higher than the Earth's is gaining importance with the increasing effect of anthropogenic magnetic and electromagnetic fields in aquatic ecosystems. This review draws together the results of studies on the effect and reception of natural and human-generated magnetic fields on fishes at various stages of ontogeny, chronologically arranged from gametes, through embryonic development, embryonic and larval motor function, directional reactions of embryos and larvae, orientation of fishes, to the mechanisms of magnetic field reception. The present state of knowledge indicates a common nature of effect on various ontogenetic stages of fishes. However, understanding of the mechanisms of magnetic sense in fishes and its relevance for ecological outcomes highlights that further progress requires more detailed research.     

Conservation genetics of highly isolated populations of the xerothermic beetle Crioceris quatuordecimpunctata (Chrysomelidae)

Xerothermic species are rare and threatened in central and eastern Europe. In light of the continuing loss of steppe‐like habitats due to anthropogenic fragmentation and degradation, the evaluation of genetic variation in populations inhabiting them is of immediate importance if appropriate conservation measures are to be undertaken. Here we report on the genetic diversity of the rare leaf beetle Crioceris quatuordecimpunctata, whose populations in central and eastern Europe inhabit highly geographically isolated areas. All of the studied populations (in Poland, Ukraine, and Slovakia) were differentiated at the mitochondrial marker COI. However, with respect to the nuclear marker ITS1, Polish populations were monomorphic, but distinct from all other populations. The distinctiveness of the studied populations was confirmed by Wolbachia screening, which showed that all populations carried different strains (one or two), which were probably transferred independently from other insects. On the other hand, no diversity was found in any marker within particular populations, which could be caused (at least for mtDNA) by a Wolbachia selective sweep. Crioceris quatuordecimpunctata probably consists of isolated populations, which went through narrow bottlenecks leading to a drastic reduction in their genetic diversity. As these populations are reciprocally monophyletic for mtDNA haplotypes and show a significant divergence of allele frequencies at nuclear loci, they could be classified as evolutionarily significant units (ESUs). In addition, DNA barcodes were used to identify Asparagus officinalis as the host plant for members of all studied populations. These data should be valuable in efforts to conserve populations of C. quatuordecimpunctata (e.g., for guiding reintroductions).     

Synthesis,antiprotozoal and antibacterial activity of nitro- and halogeno-substituted benzimidazole derivatives

Two series of benzimidazole derivatives were sythesised. The first one was based on 5,6-dinitrobenzimidazole, the second one comprises 2-thioalkyl- and thioaryl-substituted modified benzimidazoles. Antibacterial and antiprotozoal activity of the newly obtained compounds was studied. Some thioalkyl derivatives showed remarkable activity against nosocomial strains of Stenotrophomonas malthophilia, and an activity comparable to that of metronidazole against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Of the tested compounds, 5,6-dichloro-2-(4-nitrobenzylthio)-benzimidazole showed the most distinct antiprotozoal activity.     

The antioxidant properties of carnitine <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

Many of the effects of carnitine are ascribed to its antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant properties of carnitine in vitro. Carnitine was found to decolorize ABTS^•+, and to protect fluorescein against bleaching induced by AAPH-derived peroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite, thiol groups against oxidation induced by hydrogen peroxide, peroxyl radicals, hypochlorite and peroxynitrite, and erythrocytes against hemolysis induced by peroxyl radicals and hypochlorite. These results show that carnitine has a direct antioxidant action against physiologically relevant oxidants.     

Psychological view of thyroid cancer and in hyperthyroid Graves' patients - comparative exploration

INTRODUCTION: The aim of study was the evaluation of association between psychometric factors in patients with thyroid cancer and in Graves' hyperthyroid patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined 50 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer, 42 females (84.75%), 8 males aged from 32 to 64 yr. (x +/- SD: 43 +/- 8.17 yr.) and 50 hyperthyroid patients, 45 (90%) females and 5 (10%) males corresponding aged. We used the following methods: the EAS Temperament Survey (EASD) in addition for adults, EPQ Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Polish Abbreviated Form of the MMPI (DKO-74) and Beck's Depression Scale. We compared the scores of thyroid cancer patients and hyperthyroid patients. RESULTS: We have interpreted obtained results in both groups as similarly in: mild sense depression, high emotional control, high social dependence, ambiverssion, mild level of emotional mental balance. CONCLUSION: Results of our explorations appears great psychological similarity between differentiated thyroid patients and hyperthyroid patients.     

Microbial transformations of flavanone and 6-hydroxyflavanone by Aspergillus niger strains

Flavanone (1) and 6-hydroxyflavanone (2) were subjected to transformation by means of Aspergillus niger strains (one wild and three UV mutants). For both substrates the biotransformation resulted in reduction of the carbonyl group (products 5 and 7) and dehydrogenation at C-2 and C-3 (3 and 8). Additionally, for flavanone (1) reduction of C-4 together with hydroxylation at C-7 (6) and dehydrogenation at C-2, C-3 along with hydroxylation at C-3 (4) were observed.     

Factors that Affect the Content of Cadmium,Nickel, Copper and Zinc in Tissues of the Knee Joint

Osteoarthritis causes the degradation of the articular cartilage and periarticular bones. Trace elements influence the growth, development and condition of the bone tissue. Changes to the mineral composition of the bone tissue can cause degenerative changes and fractures. The aim of the research was to determine the content of cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in the tibia, the femur and the meniscus in men and women who underwent a knee replacement surgery. Samples were collected from 50 patients, including 36 women and 14 men. The determination of trace elements content were performed by ICP-AES method, using Varian 710-ES. Average concentration in the tissues of the knee joint teeth amounted for cadmium 0.015, nickel 0.60, copper 0.89 and zinc 80.81 mg/kg wet weight. There were statistically significant differences in the content of cadmium, copper and zinc in different parts of the knee joint. There were no statistically significant differences in the content of cadmium, nickel, copper and zinc in women and men in the examined parts of the knee joint. Among the elements tested, copper and nickel showed a high content in the connective tissue (the meniscus) compared to the bone tissue (the tibia and the femur).     

Identification of the FANCI protein, a monoubiquitinated FANCD2 paralog required for DNA repair

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a developmental and cancer-predisposition syndrome caused by mutations in genes controlling DNA interstrand crosslink repair. Several FA proteins form a ubiquitin ligase that controls monoubiquitination of the FANCD2 protein in an ATR-dependent manner. Here we describe the FA protein FANCI, identified as an ATM/ATR kinase substrate required for resistance to mitomycin C. FANCI shares sequence similarity with FANCD2, likely evolving from a common ancestral gene. The FANCI protein associates with FANCD2 and, together, as the FANCI-FANCD2 (ID) complex, localize to chromatin in response to DNA damage. Like FANCD2, FANCI is monoubiquitinated and unexpectedly, ubiquitination of each protein is important for the maintenance of ubiquitin on the other, indicating the existence of a dual ubiquitin-locking mechanism required for ID complex function. Mutation in FANCI is responsible for loss of a functional FA pathway in a patient with Fanconi anemia complementation group I.