The novel ETS factor TEL2 cooperates with Myc in B lymphomagenesis

The human ETS family gene TEL2/ETV7 is highly homologous to TEL1/ETV6, a frequent target of chromosome translocations in human leukemia and specific solid tumors. Here we report that TEL2 augments the proliferation and survival of normal mouse B cells and dramatically accelerates lymphoma development in Emu-Myc transgenic mice. Nonetheless, inactivation of the p53 pathway was a hallmark of all TEL2/Emu-Myc lymphomas, indicating that TEL2 expression alone is insufficient to bypass this apoptotic checkpoint. Although TEL2 is infrequently up-regulated in human sporadic Burkitt's lymphoma, analysis of pediatric B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (B-ALL) samples showed increased coexpression of TEL2 and MYC and/or MYCN in over one-third of B-ALL patients. Therefore, TEL2 and MYC also appear to cooperate in provoking a cadre of human B-cell malignancies.     

Immobilization of lipases on different carriers and their use in synthesis of pentyl isovalerates

Porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) and Candida cylindracea lipase (CCL) were immobilized on Celite and Amberlite IRA 938 by deposition from the aqueous solution by the addition of hexane. The influence of the immobilization on the activities of the immobilized lipase derivatives has been studied. The immobilized lipases were used in synthesis of pentyl isovalerates. Various reaction parameters affecting the synthesis of pentyl isovalerates were investigated. The reaction rates were compared with the rates of esterification with free lipases. The immobilized lipases were found to be very effective in the esterification reaction. The lipases immobilized on Celite 545 exhibited better operational stabilities than that of immobilized on Amberlite IRA-938.     

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans GroEL Protein Promotes Conversion of Human CD4+ T Cells into IFNγ IL10 Producing Tbet+ Th1 Cells

One of the heat shock family protein (Hsp) expressing bacteria is the gram negative, periodontal pathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa). A. actinomycetemcomitans’ Hsp is a 64-kDa GroEL-protein, which has been shown to influence the host cells. In this study we used recombinant A. actinomycetemcomitans GroEL (rAaGroEL) protein as a model antigen to study GroEL-mediated T cell immune response. Human peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs), when stimulated with recombinant rAaGroEL, expressed early activation marker CD69 and IL-2R (CD25). CD25 and CD69 expressions were higher in CD4+ T cells compared to CD8+ T cells. rAaGroEL-responding CD4+ T cells expressed IL-10, IFNγ and TNFα cytokines. Interestingly, there were also IL-10 and IFNγ double cytokine producing CD4+ T cells. Additionally, IFNγ expressing CD4+ T cells were also T-bet positive. Altogether the results suggest that rAaGroEL protein affects CD4+ T cells to differentiate into IFNγ IL10-secreting T-bet+ Th1 cells.     

Evaluation of blood culture bottles seeded with X-V factors for the detection of Neisseria meningitidis and Haemophilus influenzae

The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine the ability of seeded and not-seeded commercial pediatric blood culture bottles to support the growth of the most frequently responsible microorganisms for bacterial meningitides (Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae). Tests have been carried out with an automated colorimetric pediatric blood culture system, BacTAlert, Organon Teknika. Bottles were inoculated with X-V factors and serial dilutions of the each bacterium in six times (10(1)-10(6) colony forming unit [CFU]/ml). The bottles, which were supplemented with X-V factors, proved to be effective and time to detection (TTD) was shorter than the un-seeded bottles (p0.05). Time difference between seeded and not-seeded bottles was getting greater at high dilutions of both bacteria. We consider that in presence of a few bacteria, the seeding of bottles with X-V factors is very critical obtaining N. meningitidis, and H. influenzae as the causative agents of meningitidis. The recovery rate of the microorganisms, which were isolated from cerebrospinal fluid by using the X-V factor-seeded blood culture bottles, is therefore higher than with the conventional culture methods.     

Effect of Inoculation with Non-indigenous and Indigenous Rhizobacteria of Erzurum (Turkey) Origin on Growth and Yield of Spring Barley

Two experiments were performed to examine the effects of inoculation of barley cv. Tokak 157/37 with indigenous and non-indigenous bacterial strains. A greenhouse experiment was carried out with 75 strains isolated from Erzurum Plain and Pasinler Plain soils of Turkey, and the 6 non-indigenous strains. The 41 strains had significant positive effects on tiller number per plant, 8 strains on plant height, one strain on dry matter yield, and 24 strains on plant protein concentration. In the second experiment, the response of barley to 20 treatments (9 indigenous strains, 6 non-indigenous strains, 4 levels of N, and a control) was investigated in Erzurum Agricultural Experiment field in 2000 and 2001. Inoculation with certain indigenous and non-indigenous strains clearly benefited growth and increased the yield of field grown barley. On average of years, inoculation with Strain No. 19, Strain No. 39, Strain No. 73, Strain No. 82, BA-7, BA-142 and M-13 increased total biomass by 29.4–15.1%, grain yield by 26.6–17.7%, and total N-yield by 32.7–20.6%, as compared to the control. Indigenous Strain No. 19 was superior to all other treatments in terms of grain yield and N-yields. The higher efficacy of combining Strain No. 19 and Tokak 157/37 indicates the possibility of improved associations using olden and common cultivar and indigenous bacteria. In conclusion, Strain No. 19 seems to be suitable inoculant for barley cultivation in areas such as in Erzurum conditions.     

Serum zinc levels and zinc binding capacity in thalassemia

Recently, it has been reported that serum zinc binding capacity (ZnBC) is a very important criterion to evaluate body zinc (Zn) status. It has been shown that chronic Zn deficiency occur in the patients with thalassemia major (TM). Zn deficiency in TM may cause hyperzincuria, high ferritin levels, hepatic iron load, hepatic dysfunction. This study was undertaken to determine serum Zn levels and ZnBC in different thalassemia forms and sickle cell disease (SCD). The study has been carried out on 30 Thalassemia Major (TM), 34 Thalassemia Intermedia (TI), 31 Thalassemia Trait (TT) and 10 SCD. As control group,13 healthy children and 20 adults were included. Serum Zn and ZnBC were determined by atomic absorption, then saturation index (SI%: serum Zn/ZnBC x 100) was calculated. Serum Zn levels in all patients were lower than control (p < 0.01). Serum ZnBC was at a normal level in patients with TT and TI but it was found to be lower in TM and SCD than control (p < 0.01). While serum Zn levels decrease and ZnBC increase in nutritionaL Zn deficiency, serum Zn levels decrease but ZnBC doesn't increase in patients with thalassemia.