Evaluation of Outdoor Gamma Dose Rate and Cancer Risk in Artvin Province,Turkey

In this study, we measured environmental outdoor gamma dose rates (terrestrial and cosmic) in 204 stations across the province of Artvin. The average outdoor gamma dose rate for the province of Artvin was found to be 174.81 nGy/h. The radiological map of Artvin was drawn with the help of measured outdoor gamma dose rates. Annual effective dose equivalent and lifetime cancer risk values were figured up for the adults in Artvin province by using measured outdoor gamma dose rates. The average annual dose equivalent and excess lifetime cancer risk were 214.5 μSv/y and 7.5 × 10^?4, respectively. The values acquired were compared with the similar studies done around the world. The average annual effective dose equivalent and excess lifetime cancer risk were found to be approximately three times higher than the world average.     

Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System Assessment of the Nutrients Limiting and Nutritional Status of Tomato

Tomato is an important field crop, and nutritional imbalances frequently reduce its yield. Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS), uses ratios for nutrient deficiency diagnosis instead of absolute concentration in plant tests. In this study, local DRIS norms for the field tomatoes were established and the nutrient(s) limiting tomatoes yield were determined. Tomato leaves were analyzed for nutrients, to identify nutritional status using the DRIS approach. One hundred tomatoes fields were selected from Chatter Plain Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Sheikupura Punjab Pakistan. The first fully matured leaf was sampled, rinsed, dried and ground for analyzing P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrophotometer (ICP AES). Plant tissue N and S were measured by the combustion method. The tomatoes yields were recorded at each location. The data were divided into high-yielding (≥3.79 kg/10 plant) and low-yielding (<3.79 kg/10 plant) populations and norms were computed using standard DRIS procedures. High-yielding plant population had a statistically greater mean S and Fe than the low-yielding population. The average balance index, the sum of functions, for S and Fe were −11.04 and −5.17 which reflected deficiency of S and Fe. Plant nutrients norms established may optimize plant nutrition in field tomatoes for high yield.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Anamastigona radmani</Emphasis> sp. n. (Diplopoda,Anthroleucosomatidae) from Croatia

A new diplopod species, Anamastigona radmani sp. n., from Croatia, is described, illustrated, and diagnosed. Its relationships with congeners and their geographic distribution are briefly discussed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Neobisium babinzub</Emphasis> sp. n. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neobisium tarae</Emphasis> sp. n. (Neobisiidae,Pseudoscorpiones) from the central Balkan Peninsula (Serbia)

Two new pseudoscorpion species, Neobisium babinzub sp. n., and N. tarae sp. n. (Neobisiidae, Pseudoscorpiones), were collected in soil and leaf-litter on Mt. Stara Planina and Mt. Tara, Serbia, diagnosed and thoroughly illustrated. The main morphological characteristics of the two taxa clearly demonstrate their adaptation to life in soil.     

Root tip-dependent, active riboflavin secretion by Hyoscyamus albus hairy roots under iron deficiency.

Hyoscyamus albus hairy roots with/without an exogenous gene (11 clones) were established by inoculation of Agrobacterium rhizogenes. All clones cultured under iron-deficient condition secreted riboflavin from the root tips into the culture medium and the productivity depended on the number and size of root tips among the clones. A decline of pH was observed before riboflavin production and root development. By studying effects of proton-pump inhibitors, medium acidification with external organic acid, and riboflavin addition upon pH change and riboflavin productivity, we indicate that riboflavin efflux is not directly connected to active pH reduction, and more significantly active riboflavin secretion occurs as a response to an internal requirement in H. albus hairy roots under iron deficiency.     

Endogenous ABA concentration and cytoplasmic membrane fluidity in microspores of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) genotypes differing in responsiveness to androgenesis induction

Key message

A better understanding of androgenesis with a focus on the changes in plasma membrane fluidity and endogenous ABA content affecting embryogenesis induction in microspore suspension of B. napus.

Abstract

Changes in plasma membrane fluidity (MF) and ABA content associated with androgenesis induction were under the study. Both parameters were monitored in microspores of two Brassica napus L. genotypes differing in their response to androgenic induction under heat (1 day at 32 °C). MF was assessed by DPH method. ABA content was evaluated by ELISA. Heat caused microspores’ plasma membrane to become more rigid. Lower MF in microspores of ‘DH 4079’ (of high androgenic potential) seems to maintain proper cell protection and leads to efficient embryogenesis induction. Plasma membrane remodelling coincided with changes of ABA content in microspores and in the culture medium in both genotypes. ABA concentration (μM) and ABA content (fmol per 10⁴ microspores or pmol g^?1 FW) were for the first time measured in microspores. ABA concentration (μM) in microspores and in the culture medium (nM) differed significantly for the genotype and the treatment. The interaction between both variables was also significant. In general, ABA content ranged from <3.5 to 87.1 fmol per 10⁴ microspores. The highest content of ABA was detected in ‘DH 4079’ microspores at 32 °C. Assuming a mean microspores’ radius of 10 μm, it corresponds to ABA concentration of 2.1 μM. Heat shock resulted in quantum of medium pH reduction (0.1–0.2) and increased levels of ABA in microspores and in the medium of both tested genotypes. However, heat induced increase of ABA content in microspores of non-responsive ‘Campino’ had no clear-cut impact, on androgenesis induction efficiency, which suggests a more complex mechanism of process initiation.     

Rocky-shore unconformities marking the base of Badenian (Middle Miocene) transgressions on Mt. Medvednica basement (North Croatian Basin,Central Paratethys)

Badenian (Middle Miocene) transgressive deepening-upward successions located in the NE part of Mt. Medvednica (North Croatian Basin, Pannonian Basin System) unconformably overlie Mesozoic basement. Triassic and Upper Cretaceous limestone pebbles, cobbles, and boulders of the Badenian basal conglomerates display abundant in situ bivalve borings of Gastrochaenolites and sponge borings of Entobia. This Gastrochaenolites-Entobia ichnoassemblage is related to the Entobia subichnofacies of the Trypanites ichnofacies, characterizing littoral rocky-shore environments (wave-cut platforms and marine transgressive surfaces with a low or null rate of sedimentation). Gastrochaenolites torpedo, Gastrochaenolites lapidicus, and Entobia recorded in Badenian basal conglomerates (compared with modern Northern Adriatic rocky-shore environments), enabled more precise palaeoenvironmental interpretations. The occurrence of G. torpedo (produced by lithophaginid bivalves) on all sides of individual limestone lithoclasts in the Gornje Ore?je basal conglomerate, coupled with truncation of the formation (possibly indicating multiphase colonization), reflect gravel transport, roll-over, overturning and erosion by wave action in high-energy rocky-shore settings. Gornje Psarjevo-2 basal conglomerate boulders were probably not subjected to significant movement and abrasion, as suggested by good preservation of both G. lapidicus (potentially produced by gastrochaenid bivalves), associated G. torpedo, as well as abundant shallow Entobia borings. The Badenian Gastrochaenolites-Entobia ichnoassemblage also could be the result of a composite development. However, direct cross-cutting relationships between G. torpedo and G. lapidicus and/or Entobia were rarely observed. In addition, Badenian boring tracemakers might have coexisted at the same water depth. Northeast Mt. Medvednica Badenian successions probably formed during different Central Paratethys transgressive pulses (NN5 and NN6 Zones). However, exact timing of Badenian transgressions, stratigraphic correlations and tectono-eustatic implications are unresolved, due to sparsely integrated biostratigraphic and high-precision geochronological studies of Early–Middle Miocene North Croatian Basin deposits and due to the absence of a uniform biostratigraphic zonation and regional chronostratigraphic division of Central Paratethys.     

CSF Proteomics Identifies Specific and Shared Pathways for Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Subtypes

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated, neuro-inflammatory, demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with a heterogeneous clinical presentation and course. There is a remarkable phenotypic heterogeneity in MS, and the molecular mechanisms underlying it remain unknown. We aimed to investigate further the etiopathogenesis related molecular pathways in subclinical types of MS using proteomic and bioinformatics approaches in cerebrospinal fluids of patients with clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing remitting MS and progressive MS (n=179). Comparison of disease groups with controls revealed a total of 151 proteins that are differentially expressed in clinically different MS subtypes. KEGG analysis using PANOGA tool revealed the disease related pathways including aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption (p=8.02x10^-5) which is important in the immune cell migration, renin-angiotensin (p=6.88x10^-5) system that induces Th17 dependent immunity, notch signaling (p=1.83x10^-10) pathway indicating the activated remyelination and vitamin digestion and absorption pathways (p=1.73x10^-5). An emerging theme from our studies is that whilst all MS clinical forms share common biological pathways, there are also clinical subtypes specific and pathophysiology related pathways which may have further therapeutic implications.