Selected trace elements and esterase activity of carbonic anhydrase levels in lambs with pneumonia

The levels of, zinc, copper, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Mg, K, Na, and Cl and the activity of carbonic anhydrase were determined in lambs with pneumonia. A significant decrease of p<0.01 level in Zn concentration, in Cu level (p<0.001) and significant increases in K and Na levels (p<0.05) and of the Cu/Zn ratio (p<0.001) were observed in the study group. The carbonic anhydrase activity was decreased in the study group, but the decrease was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Also, nonsignificant decreases of Fe, Mg, and Cl and increase of the Mn concentration were also observed in the lambs with pneumonia (p>0.05). Our results suggest that the significant element changes reported here and the Cu/Zn ratio, but not the activity of carbonic anhydrase, can be used as indicators of pneumococcal infection.     

Removal of chromate anions from aqueous stream by a cationic surfactant-modified yeast

The removal of chromate anions (CrO(4)(2-)) from aqueous solution by a cationic surfactant-modified yeast was studied in a batch system. Cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) was used for biomass modification; it substantially improved the biosorption efficiency. The influences of solution pH, CrO(4)(2-) anion concentrations and biomass concentration on the biosorption efficiency were investigated. The biosorption of chromate anions by modified yeast was strongly affected by pH. The optimum pH for biosorption of CrO(4)(2-) by modified yeast was 4.5-5.5. Zeta potential values of modified and unmodified yeast were determined at various pH values. Concentrations ranging from 5.2 to 208 mg/l Cr(VI) were tested and the biosorptive removal efficiency of the metal ions from aqueous solution was more than 99.5%. Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms were used to evaluate the data and the regression constants were determined.     

北亚热带3种典型森林群落对降水中氮、磷、硫的截留及分配特征

森林群落在净化空气、截留沉降污染物、改善地表水质等方面具有重要作用。本研究以北亚热带地区3种典型森林群落（毛竹林、杉木林、青冈阔叶林）为研究对象,通过分析沉降污染物（NH₄⁺-N、NO₃^--N、NO₂^--N、TP和SO₄^2-）在大气降水、林内穿透雨、树干茎流、枯透水和地表径流中的浓度和通量变化特征,探讨不同森林群落对氮、磷、硫的截留净化作用和分配特征。结果表明,该区域大气降水中NH₄⁺-N、NO₃^--N、NO₂^--N、TP和SO₄^2-年均浓度分别为1.06、0.61、0.04、0.07、1.84 mg/L,其年均pH为5.88;各森林群落林冠层能够调升降雨的pH且全年稳定,对TP和NH₄⁺-N均有吸附作用,截留率分别为79.09%-84.68%和30.88%-69.36%;而枯落物层则是林下氮、磷、硫的主要释放源,对NH₄⁺-N、NO₃^--N、TP和SO₄^2-均具有淋溶作用;此外,由地表径流（输出）与大气降水（输入）的对比分析可知,各林地对沉降污染物中氮、磷、硫的截留率均超过98%;3种森林群落对沉降污染物中氮、磷、硫的截留能力依次为：青冈阔叶林 > 毛竹林 > 杉木林,阔叶林对沉降污染物的净化能力要高于毛竹林及针叶的杉木林。     

Biologically active compounds from two members of the Asteraceae family: Tragopogon dubius Scop. and Tussilago farfara L.

Tragopogon dubius and Tussilago farfara are consumed as vegetables and used in folk medicine to manage common diseases. Herein, the chemical compositions and biological activities of different leaf extracts (ethyl acetate, methanol, and water) of T. dubius and T. farfara were evaluated. The antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant abilities of the extracts were tested using different assays including free radical scavenging, reducing power, phosphomolybdenum, and metal chelating assays. Enzyme inhibitory potentials were evaluated against cholinesterases, tyrosinase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Complexes of bioactive compounds (chlorogenic and rosmarinic acid) were docked into the enzymatic cavity of α-glucosidase and subjected to molecular dynamic calculation, enzyme conformational stability, and flexibility analysis. T. dubius and T. farfara extracts showed remarkable antioxidant potentials. Ethyl acetate extracts of T. dubius and T. farfara were the most potent inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. T. dubius ethyl acetate extract and T. farfara methanolic extract showed noteworthy activity against α-glucosidase. High performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed the abundance of some phenolic compounds including chlorogenic and rosmarinic acids. Ethyl acetate extract of T. dubius showed notable antifungal activity against all strains. Docking studies showed best pose for chlorogenic acid was stabilized by a network of hydrogen bonds with residues Asp1157, Asp1279, whereas rosmarinic acid showed several hydrogen bonds with Asp1157, Asp1420, Asp1526, Lys1460 and Trp1369. This study further validates the use of T. dubius and T. farfara in traditional medicine, as well as act as a stimulus for further studies for future biomedicine development.

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma     

Karyomorphology of Turkish species in Centaurea sections Centaurea and Phalolepis (Asteraceae) and implications for taxonomy

In this paper, 31 mostly endemic and locally distributed Turkish Centaurea taxa belonging to Centaurea and Phalolepis sections were examined in terms of their karyomorphology. The basic chromosome number for all of the studied species was concurringly determined as 9(x = 9) for both sections, excluding C. hierapolitana. We also determined tetraploid and hexaploid species in spite of many species having diploid chromosome numbers. Twelve chromosome counts are reported for the first time and most of the karyotyping analyses are described for the first time via the KAMERAM program. The karyotypes had a predominance of metacentric (m) chromosomes. However, in the karyotyping of six taxa, submetacentric (sm) chromosomes were dominant. Five quantitative asymmetric indices were used to evaluate karyological features of the species. A meaningful dendrogram was carried out to assess the karyotype-symmetry conditions and describe the karyotyping relationships between different taxa.     

Feeding ecology and prey selection of sand smelt,Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810 in Eğirdir Lake (southern Anatolia,Turkey)

Feeding ecology and prey selection of sand smelt (Atherina boyeri, Risso, 1810) were investigated by taking monthly samples (January to December 2010) at four stations of Lake E?irdir, (Turkey) using gill nets (mesh sizes 10–100 mm) and purse‐seines (mesh size 6 mm). A total of 49 out of 612 analysed stomachs were empty (8.01%); stomach contents included eight major prey categories: zooplankton, phytoplankton, Arachnida, Arthropoda, Insecta, fishes as well as unidentified organisms and remains. Dominant prey items included cladocerans (Bosmina longirostris [% N = 67.92], Alona quadrangularis [% N = 5.06]), copepods (Nitokra hibernica [% N = 9.30], Mesocyclops leuckarti [% N = 3.35]), and arthropoda (Corophium curvispinum [% N = 3.46]). The importance of Insecta, Arthropoda, fishes, and unidentified eggs increased in the diet with increasing size of the sand smelt, whereas the contribution of Cladocera and Copepoda decreased. Sand smelt strongly preferred B. longirostris (selectivity index V = 0.639, χ² = 81.689, p < .01), N. hibernica (V = 0.205, χ² = 8.429, p < .01), and A. quadrangularis (V = 0.159, χ² = 5.039, p < .01) despite their low abundance in the environment. Atherina boyeri (V = ?0.699, χ² = 97.812, p < .01), Aphanius anatoliae (V = ?0.328, χ² = 21.463, p < .01), Insecta (V = ?0.229, χ² = 10.497, p < .01), and Keratella cochlearis (V = ?0.265, χ² = 14.009, p < .01) were the most abundant prey in the environment, however they were negatively selected by sand smelt. Knipowitschia caucasica, Asplanchna priodonta, Trichocerca sp., Lecane sp., and Acaridae also inhabit the lake, but were not found in the sand smelt food items. Cladocerans dominated during autumn and winter, arthropods, copepods, rotifers and phytoplankton in spring, whereas Insecta and fishes were dominant in summer.     

A multivariate statistical approach to Centaurea classification using essential oil composition data of some species from Turkey

The composition of the essential oils of ten Centaurea species from Turkey, Centaurea aladaghensis, C. antiochia var. prealta, C. antitauri, C. babylonica, C. balsamita, C. cheirolepidoides, C. deflexa, C. iconiensis, C. lanigera, C. ptosimopappoides have been studied. Multivariate statistical analyses (Principal Component Analysis, Multidimensional Scaling, Hierarchical Cluster Analysis) applied to GC-MS data, seem to be very useful to investigate and establish the natural taxonomic delimitation of this very difficult genus. The groupings resulted independent from the ecological similarities (i.e. plants that live in the same habitats or share similar morphological characteristics), so it seems that the environment has no influence on the biosynthesis of the volatiles of these plants.     

Hospital admissions for skin and soft tissue infections in a population with endemic scabies: A prospective study in Fiji, 2018–2019

Scabies is an important predisposing factor for impetigo but its role in more serious skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) is not well understood. Information is limited on incidence of SSTIs in the presence of endemic scabies. We conducted a prospective study of hospital admissions for SSTIs in the Northern Division of Fiji (population: 131,914). Prospective surveillance for admissions with impetigo, abscess, cellulitis, wound infection, pyomyositis, necrotizing fasciitis, infected scabies, and crusted scabies was conducted at the Division’s referral hospital between 2018 to 2019. Information was collected on demographic characteristics, clinical features, microbiology, treatment and outcomes. Over the study period, 788 SSTI admissions were recorded corresponding to a population incidence 647 per 100,000 person-years (95%CI 571–660). Incidence was highest at the extremes of age with peak incidence in children aged <5 years (908 per 100,000) and those aged ≥65 years (1127 per 100,000). Incidence was 1.7 times higher among the Indigenous Fijian population (753 per 100,000) compared to other ethnicities (442 per 100,000). Overall case fatality rate was 3.3%, and 10.8% for those aged ≥65 years. Scabies was diagnosed concurrently in 7.6% of all patients and in 24.6% of admitted children <5 years. There is a very high burden of hospital admissions for SSTIs in Fiji compared to high-income settings especially among the youngest, oldest and indigenous population which is concordant with scabies and impetigo distribution in this population. Our findings highlight the need for strategies to reduce the burden of SSTIs in Fiji and similar settings.     

北亚热带3种森林群落对大气湿沉降重金属的调控

森林群落截留消纳沉降重金属的能力影响着森林集水区溪水输出重金属的情况,决定着小流域的水质安全。为评价北亚热带地区典型森林生态系统对大气降水中主要重金属离子的截留能力和分配特征,以浙江庙山坞林场3种典型森林群落(毛竹林、杉木林、青冈阔叶林)和森林集水区-小溪为研究对象,于2018年7月—2019年6月监测了12次降水事件,分析、比较和讨论了大气降水、林内穿透雨、树干茎流、枯透水、地表径流和集水区溪水中7种重金属(铅(Pb)、锌(Zn)、镉(Cd)、铜(Cu)、砷(As)、镍(Ni)和锰(Mn))的质量浓度和通量的动态变化。结果表明,大气降水中7种重金属,Pb、Cd、As、Cu、Zn、Mn和Ni的年均浓度分别为0.974、0.124、0.512、3.42、36.7、8.48和1.94μg/L,3种森林群落林冠层截留的干沉降重金属中Zn和Mn的比例最高,林冠层降水对重金属Mn和Zn的淋溶量极高,超过大气降水沉降量的2.78倍和54.2倍,同时截留了降水中的As和Ni;枯落物层对Mn、Cd和Zn表现出截留作用,对Cu和Ni有淋溶或释放的作用;3种森林群落的地表径流中Pb、Mn、Cd和Zn浓度明显降低,As和Ni的浓度略高于枯透水,但由于地表径流量非常小,土壤表层对降水中重金属均表现出极强的截留作用。3种森林群落对大气降水中的重金属均表现出极高的截留率,森林群落之间没有显著差异,其中青冈阔叶林的截留能力最强,杉木林较弱。而地表径流及土壤渗透水等汇集到森林集水区后,溪水中重金属Mn、Ni、Cd和Zn的浓度和通量均有大幅的增加,仅对重金属As和Cu呈现截留的作用,这可能与森林土壤重金属本底值偏高以及森林长期接收的重金属沉降在降水淋溶下从酸性土壤中大量溶出有关。     

Investigation of the Effects of 2.1 GHz Microwave Radiation on Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (ΔΨ m), Apoptotic Activity and Cell Viability in Human Breast Fibroblast Cells

In the present study we aimed to investigate the effects of 2.1 GHz Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) modulated Microwave (MW) Radiation on cell survival and apoptotic activity of human breast fibroblast cells. The cell cultures were exposed to W-CDMA modulated MW at 2.1 GHz at a SAR level of 0.607 W/kg for 4 and 24 h. The cell viability was assessed by MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] method. The percentage of apoptotic cells was analyzed by Annexin V-FITC and PI staining. 5,5′,6,6′-Tetrachloro-1,1′,3,3′- tetraethylbenzimidazolcarbocyanine iodide (JC-1) was used to measure Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (ΔΨ _m). sFasL and Fas/APO-1 protein levels were determined by ELISA method. 2.1 GHz MW radiation was shown to be able to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in human breast fibroblast cells. The cell viability of MW-exposed cells was decreased significantly. The percentages of Annexin V-FITC positive cells were higher in MW groups. ΔΨ _m was decreased significantly due to MW radiation exposure. However, neither sFas nor FasL level was significantly changed in MW-exposed fibroblast cells. The results of this study showed that 2.1 GHz W-CDMA modulated MW radiation-induced apoptotic cell death via the mitochondrial pathway.