Carbon and Nitrogen Mineralization of Lead Treated Soils in the Eastern Mediterranean Region,Turkey

The aim of this study was to determine the first effect of lead on microbial activity in soil. The study was carried out in the soil samples from four different radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. radicula, Brassicaceae) fields along the highway in a district (Kadirli, Osmaniye) of the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Turkey. After the calculation of Pb contents, the Pb amounts of the soil samples were brought up to 50 and 100 mg Pb kg^?1 by treatment with Pb(NO ₃ ) ₂ , and the samples for the carbon and the nitrogen mineralization were incubated under controlled conditions (28°C, constant moist). The carbon mineralization was determined by a CO ₂ respiration method for 30 days. The nitrogen mineralization was observed in vitro for 6 weeks. The untreated group was statistically different from the 50 and 100 mg Pb kg^?1 treatments in the aspect of the C(CO ₂ ) outlet during mineralization (P ≤ 0.05), but difference between the 50 and 100 mg Pb kg^?1 treatments was not significant. NH ₄ -N and NO ₃ -N contents of each soil were shown differences between across treatments. Based on these results, it is possible to conclude that the addition of 50 and 100 mg Pb kg^?1 provided a toxic effect threshold for the microbial activity into 30 days.     

Penicillium expansum, a Resident Fungal Strain of the Orbital Complex Mir, Producing Xanthocyllin X and Questiomycin A

It was demonstrated that the fungus Penicillium expansum 2-7, a resident strain of the orbital complex Mir, which became dominant at the end of a long-term space flight, formed biologically active secondary metabolites (antibiotics). Using physicochemical methods these metabolites were identified as xanthocyllin X and questiomycin A. The time courses of their biosyntheses during the growth and development of the producer culture were studied. The addition of zinc to the culture medium affected both the growth of the culture and the biosyntheses of the antibiotics. The concentrations of zinc in the medium, optimum for xanthocyllin X and questiomycin A production, were 0.3 and 3.0 mg/l, respectively.     

Incidence of mycoflora and mycotoxins in some edible fruits and seeds of forest origin

Twelve fungi namelyAlternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, A niger, A ochraceus, Actinomucor repens, Capnodoium spp., Curvularia lunata, Fusarium pallidoroseum, F solani, F verticillioides, Penicillium citrinum and Rhizopus stolonifer were recorded from samples ofAegle marmelos, Aesculus indica, Buchanania lanzan andPinus gerardiana. In case ofPrunus amygdalus only Rstolonifer was recorded. A significant variation in pattern of mycoflora incidence was observed in terms of source and season. Fungal infestation in most of the substrates was found to be highest during monsoon. Aflatoxins were the most common mycotoxins elaborated by different isolates ofA flavus obtained fromA marmelos, B lanzan andP gerardiana. The amount of aflatoxins produced by the toxigenic isolates ofA flavus was in the range of traces to 0.9–26.0 μg/ml inA marmelos, 0.8–17.5 μg/ml inP gerardiana and 0.65–13.2 μg/ml inB lanzan. The percentage toxigenicity was comparatively lower in the isolates of other mycotoxigenic fungi. Aflatoxins were detected almost in all the samples analyzed for mycotoxin contamination. However, traces of zearalenone were detected inA marmelos. The concentration of aflatoxin B₁ was in the range of 0.13–0.75 μg/g inA marmelos, 0.09–0.60 μg/g inP gerardiana and 0.01–0.20 ug/g inB lanzan. Mycotoxins were not detected inAesculus indica andPrunus amygdalus.     

Effects of prolonged hyperbarism on lipid peroxidation and structural-functional state of erythrocytes]

Prolonged helium-oxygen hyperbaric (pressure 3,6 MPa) increased diene conjugate and Schiff's base level in plasma and erythrocyte membranes of mice. In those conditions SOD and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities were inhibited in erythrocytes. Lipid bilayer microviscosity and cholesterol content of erythrocyte membranes were increased.     

A selective method for sequential splitting of O- and N-linked glycans from N,O-glycoproteins.

O-Linked oligosaccharides from N,O-glycoproteins were selectively split off by treatment with alkaline sodium borohydride in the presence of cadmium salt. The side reaction of reductive cleavage of N-glycosylamide and peptide bonds, observed under standard conditions of splitting of O-linked chains (M NaBH4 and 50mM NaOH, 16 h, 50 degrees), was inhibited by addition of 50-10 mM cadium acetate and 5-10mM EDTA.Na4, as shown by treatment of model compounds and several glycoproteins (ovomucoid, group-specific glycoproteins H and B, fetuin, and asialofetuin). This treatment, in combination with the previously developed procedure for the release of the N-linked oligosaccharide chains by lithium borohydride, allows a sequential, selective cleavage of O-, and then N-linked oligosaccharides from N,O-glycoproteins by chemical methods.     

The protective properties of a porin from the outer membrane of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

The protective properties of the species-specific pore-forming polypeptide of Y. pseudotuberculosis outer membrane (porin) were studied. The study showed that 80-90% of mice immunized with porin survived after challenge with 10-30 LD50 of Y. pseudotuberculosis, serovars 1 and 3. The LD50 of the preparation exceeded its ED50 more than 100-fold. Immunization made in two injections was more effective than immunization in one injection. The immunization of the animals with porin led to an increase in the activity of peritoneal exudate macrophages with respect to Y. pseudotuberculosis, serovars 1 and 3.