Strategy for Restoration of Brine-Disturbed Land

Brine-affected land at oil exploration sites is a prime source of pollution to soil, plant, and aquatic communities. The two primary effects of brine on soil are (1) degradation of soil structure and (2) alteration of the osmotic gradient between plant roots and the soil. Runoff from the damaged land also degrades the quality of receiving streams. The objective of this study was to assess the extent of damage caused by brine on a productive land and two adjacent streams. Data on soil quality revealed that over time the combined effects of brine and erosion had left the land devoid of vegetation. Detailed soil analyses showed elevated levels of soluble salt, moderate pH (7.5), high clay content (>38%), electrical conductivity values that ranged from 7 to 62?dSm^?1, and very high exchangeable sodium percentage (70%). The water quality of the two receiving streams was severely impacted by high salt and sediment loading. Based on soil and water quality data from the disturbed site, a strategy was developed to rehabilitate the land by a combination of engineering and agronomic practices. Six months after the rehabilitation, approximately 90% of the land had been restored with full establishment of seeded Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon).     

Allele frequency of VNTR locus D1S80 observed in Hb D-Los Angeles carrires

One of our previous studies presented the allele frequencies of D1S80 VNTR locus in province Denizli including the high frequencies of allele 24 and 18. In Denizli province of Turkey, the most common abnormal variant is Hb D-Los Angeles with a frequency of 57.8?% of the total abnormal Hbs. The aim of this study is to identify the allele frequencies of D1S80 VNTR locus in Hb D-Los Angeles carriers in Denizli province of Turkey. We studied unrelated 36 Hb D-Los Angeles carriers residing in Denizli province of Turkey. The size range of the D1S80 VNTR locus PCR products was determined first by agarose gel electrophoresis and then by a capillary electrophoresis system. For all subjects, DNA sequencing was performed. Allele frequency, theta (k) value, and observed and expected heterozygosity were calculated using Arlequin Software version 3.11. The most common alleles were the 24 (32?%), 18 (18.1?%) and 29 (16.7?%) alleles, and frequencies of these alleles were 0.329, 0.186 and 0.171 respectively. Other observed alleles percentages were 33, 2?%. We did not observe alleles 6, 15, 27 and 35, but we observed alleles 20 and 33. Results were in Hardy–Weinberg linkage disequilibrium. Observed heterozygosity was 0.889, and expected heterozygosity was 0.847. Theta (k) value was 4.91 (95?% confidence interval limits). According to our results, we concluded that Hb D-Los Angeles carriers have different allele frequencies in D1S80 VNTR and also have their own D1S80 VNTR locus divergence.     

Biochemical alterations in neonatal hypoxic ischaemic brain damage

Asphyxiated (n = 39) and control (n = 23) were elected for the study. Free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation, prostaglandin E₂ and vitamin E levels were studied and the degree of hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy was determined in each case. In the hypoxic group the concentration of prostaglandin E₂ activity (P < 0.05) and malondialdehyde levels (P < 0.01) were significantly higher when compared to that of controls. The high vitamin E concentrations in the asphyxiated infants supports the role of oxygen free radicals in hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy of newborns.