Comparative analysis of qualitative dermatoglyphic traits of Albanian and Turkish populations living in the area of Dukagjin Valley in Kosovo

Dermatoglyphic prints were collected from 800 inhabitants of Dukagjin valley in Kosovo. The sample consisted of two ethnically different sub-populations who refer themselves as Albanians (N = 400) and Turks (N = 400). Qualitative analysis of prints concerned the frequency of the patterns on fingers (arch, ulnar and radial loop, whorl, accidental whorl) and on palms (Thenar and I, II, III, and IV interdigital area and the hypothenar, main line index, and the axial "t" triradius position). As was expected due to previous study of quantitative dermatoglyphic traits, in the same population the Alba-nians and Turks showed to be significantly different in most explored qualitative dermatoglyphic variables. Found differences indicated that the reproductive isolation between the Albanian and Turkish population in Kosovo is substantial, despite the fact that those two ethnic sub-populations live in the close vicinity through several centuries.     

Screening of the Antarctic marine sponges (Porifera) as a source of bioactive compounds

Sponges (Porifera) currently represent one of the richest sources of natural products and account for almost half of the pharmacologically active compounds of marine origin. However, to date very little is known about the pharmacological potential of the sponges from polar regions. In this work we report on screening of ethanolic extracts from 24 Antarctic marine sponges for different biological activities. The extracts were tested for cytotoxic effects against normal and transformed cell lines, red blood cells, and algae, for modulation of the activities of selected physiologically important enzymes (acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and α-amylase), and for inhibition of growth of pathogenic and ecologically relevant bacteria and fungi. An extract from Tedania (Tedaniopsis) oxeata was selectively cytotoxic against the cancer cell lines and showed growth inhibition of all of the tested ecologically relevant and potentially pathogenic fungal isolates. The sponge extracts from Isodictya erinacea and Kirkpatrickia variolosa inhibited the activities of the cholinesterase enzymes, while the sponge extracts from Isodictya lankesteri and Inflatella belli reduced the activity of α-amylase. Several sponge extracts inhibited the growth of multiresistant pathogenic bacterial isolates of different origins, including extended-spectrum beta-lactamase and carbapenem-resistant strains, while sponge extracts from K. variolosa and Myxilla (Myxilla) mollis were active against a human methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain. We conclude that Antarctic marine sponges represent a valuable source of biologically active compounds with pharmacological potential.     

High frequencies and grade expressions of Carabelli's trait in a sample of the Croatian population

Although it is generally accepted that Europeans exhibit the highest frequencies of Carabelli's trait (70-90%), these values represent the expression of all possible morphological grades. When only a well-defined trait expression is considered (grades 5th, 6th and 7th), the frequency is much lower, not more than 19.2% for the 5th grade, and significantly less for the 6th and 7th grades. Our observations based on the study of the Croatian (Central European) populations show the highest frequencies for grade of the trait (exceeding 23%). Comparative data for European or European derived populations demonstrate significant variation in grade expression. While the previously published data suggest that the highest grade of the trait expression does not exceed 10%, our figures show the highest yet known frequency of a well-defined trait.     

The case of asymptomatic primary actinomycosis of the greater omentum in the patient with intrauterine contraceptive device

This paper describes a case of asymptomatic multifocal actinomycosis of the greater omentum which was detected accidentally in a patient who was suspected of uterus myoma. The patient was a 40 year old woman who had a copper intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) for three years. After the gynecological examination and pelvic ultrasound she was diagnosed with sub serous myoma of uterus. Since she did not give a birth it was suggested to have myoma enucleating. However during the surgery a dermoid teratoma of the right ovary was detected so it was removed together with tumor and there were two thickenings on the greater omentum, suspicious of inflammation, whereas one grew together with the front abdominal wall. Due to these conditions, she had partial omentectomy done and omentum was sent for path histological examination. The path histological examination confirmed it to be actinomycosis. The patient had an intensive antibiotic therapy prescribed (Penicillin) in order to prevent a disease relapse because we could not be sure whether the remaining part of omentum was affected by microscopic actinomycosis.     

Molecular typing and antimicrobial resistance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella</Emphasis> Enteritidis isolated from poultry,food, and humans in Serbia

Molecular typing and resistotyping coupled with gyrA single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of 60 Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) isolates originated from poultry, food, and humans in Serbia is described. Molecular fingerprinting was performed by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) using four primers, and the diversity index (D) was 0.688. In combination with resistotyping and gyrA SNP, D increased to 0.828. A total of 23 genetic groups were obtained. When four RAPD primers were combined, epidemic isolates from a fast-food restaurant outbreak were clustered in a distinctive genetic group. Among 60 SE strains, three had multiple resistances to three or more antibiotics. Nine strains were resistant to nalidixic acid (NAL; a non-fluorinated quinolone). The mutations in quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) found in NAL-resistant strains were attributed to Asp⁸⁷ → Asn in six strains, Asp⁸⁷ → Gly in one strain, and Ser⁸³ → Phe in one strain. One NAL-resistant strain had no mutations in QRDR, suggesting another mechanism of resistance.     

Age-related changes in chromatin of liver cell nuclei of different ploidity

Summary A comparsion of the Feulgen hydrolysis curves and the chromatin compactness of the liver cell nuclei of young and old rats was made. It was found that the rate of DNA depurination and chromatin compactness are higher in the liver cell nuclei of old rats, both in di-and tetraploidal cells. The effect of fixation upon the course of the hydrolysis curves is discussed.This investigation was supported by grant 474/VI Committee of Cell Pathology, Polish Academy of Sciences     

Chemical and principal-component analyses of the essential oils of Apioideae taxa (Apiaceae) from central Balkan

The volatile constituents of the essential oils of 23 taxa belonging to the Apioideae subfamily were studied in detail. The investigated taxa were Pimpinella serbica (Vis.) Bentham & Hooker, Libanotis montana Cr., Cnidium silaifolium (Jacq.) Simk. ssp. orientale (Boiss.) Tutin, Bupleurum praealtum L., B. sibthorpianum S. S. var. diversifolium (Roch.) Hay, Aegopodium podagraria L., Torilis anthriscus (L.) Gmel., Orlaya grandiflora (L.) Hoffm., Laserpitium siler L., Laser trilobum (L.) Brokh., Chaerophyllum aureum L., C. hirsutum L., C. temulum L., Pastinaca sativa L., P. hirsuta Pancic., Tordylium maximum L., Physospermum cornubiense (L.) DC., Peucedanum alsaticum L., P. oreoselinum (L.) Moench, P. cervaria (L.) Cuss., P. austriacum (Jacq.) Koch, P. longifolium W. et K., and P. officinale L. All of these species grow wild in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula. The essential oils were found to be complex mixtures of various compounds, more than 100 constituents being in each taxon, with contributions of main products never exceeding 25% of the total content. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were found to be the main group of constituents of all taxa, except for Peucedanum species, where monoterpene hydrocarbons were identified as the main components. The chemotaxonomic value of the essential-oil composition is discussed according to results of principal-component analysis (PCA). The essential-oil composition mainly reflects current taxonomic relationships between the investigated taxa.     

Temperature and dissolved oxygen concentration as parameters of Azotobacter chroococcum cultivation for use in biofertilizers

Summary Azotobacter chroococcum was grown in continuous culture at two temperatures (30 °C and 20 °C) and different dissolved oxygen tensions (DOT) (30 % to 40 % and 70 % to 80 % of air saturation), respectively. At the temperature of 30 °C and low DOT a relatively high volumetric productivity and efficiency of nitrogen fixation were obtained. After lowering the temperature to 20 °C, an intensive formation of cysts was observed associated with a drastic decrease of the bacterial growth. Bacteria in the form of cysts kept their physiological activity for a long period of time depending on temperature and preparation.