Agmatine attenuates neuropathic pain in rats: possible mediation of nitric oxide and noradrenergic activity in the brainstem and cerebellum

Effect of agmatine (10-400 mg/kg) on neuropathic pain in a rat model produced by loose ligatures around the common sciatic nerve was studied. The involvement of possible alterations in nitric oxide (NO) levels [measured as its stable metabolites nitrate + nitrite] and in noradrenergic activity [measured as norepinephrine and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol (MHPG) levels] in this effect was also investigated biochemically in the brainstem and cerebellum. Agmatine increased the neuropathic pain threshold at 300 and 400 mg/kg. There was almost a twofold increase in nitrate + nitrite levels in the brainstem and cerebellum of the rats with neuropathic pain and agmatine decreased the high nitrate + nitrite levels only in the brainstem at 300 mg/kg and both in the brainstem and cerebellum at 400 mg/kg. Ligation of sciatic nerve resulted in almost twofold increase in norepinephrine and MHPG levels only in the brainstem of the rats. Agmatine decreased MHPG levels at 300 and 400 mg/kg, however it decreased norepinephrine levels only at the higher dose. These findings indicate that agmatine decreases neuropathic pain, an effect which may involve the reduction of NO levels and noradrenergic activity in the brain.     

Spontaneous chromosome circularization and amplification of a new amplifiable unit of DNA belonging to the terminal inverted repeats in<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Streptomyces ambofaciens</Emphasis> ATCC 23877

In Streptomyces, the linear chromosomal DNA is highly unstable and undergoes large rearrangements usually at the extremities. These rearrangements consist of the deletion of several hundred kilobases, often associated with the amplification of an adjacent sequence, AUD ( amplifiable unit of DNA). In Streptomyces ambofaciens, two amplifiable regions (AUD6 and AUD90), located approximately 600 kb and 1,200 kb from the right chromosomal end respectively, have been characterized. Here, the isolation and molecular characterization of a new S. ambofaciens mutant strain exhibiting a green-pigmented phenotype is described; the wild-type produces a gray pigment. In this mutant, both chromosome ends were deleted, which probably led to circularization of the chromosome. These deletions were associated with amplification of a sequence belonging to the chromosomal terminal inverted repeats (TIRs), which might constitute the new fragment generated by the chromosomal circularization.     

The diagnosis of malaria and identification of plasmodium species by polymerase chain reaction in Turkey

More than half of the world's population is exposed to malaria in approximately 100 countries. Rapid diagnosis and correct treatment of cases are the main objectives of control programs in malaria endemic areas. We have developed a PCR method to determine the presence of plasmodium DNA in blood. The method can also identify the species of the plasmodium by restriction enzyme analysis of the amplified product. We evaluated the performance of this method in the diagnosis of malaria suspected cases in Turkey by comparing to microscopy of the blood smears: blood samples were obtained from 114 patients with malaria symptoms, including fever and/or chills lasting for several days, before starting treatment. Thin and thick blood smears were prepared immediately in the region of specimen collection. After isolation of DNA from blood samples, DNA was amplified by PCR and digested by restriction enzyme AluI. The obtained fragments were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The number of parasites in the thick and thin smears of the blood samples was evaluated microscopically after staining by Giemsa and results were compared by PCR results. Among 114 plasmodium positive cases detected by microscopy, 100 were also detected by PCR. There were 14 false negatives and no false positive by PCR. Compared to microscopy, the sensitivity, specificity and Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of PCR were determined as 76%, 100% and 100%, respectively.     

Fate ofescherichia coli andE. coli O157∶H7 in apple juice treated with propolis extract

Fruit juices are targets of spoilage moulds, yeasts and acid tolerant bacteria. They might be contaminated with bacteria from raw materials, environment, packaging and during the handling of the product. These contaminations have frequently resulted in the spoilage of fruit juice and consequently commercial losses. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of propolis in apple juice againstEscherichia coli andE. coli O157:H7 strains of the spoilage and pathogenic bacteria. For this purpose, apple juice was obtained from fresh apples and then was pasteurised. The pH value, titrable acidity (as % malic acid) and Brix degree of this apple juice were 3.72±0.10, 0.67±0.05% and 12.1±0.01, respectively. Propolis extract at 1,2 and 5% concentrations were tested to determine ofE. coli andE. coli O157:H7 inhibition using paper disc diffusion method. The control treatment had no propolis extract. The apple juices were contaminated with these bacteria, and the activity of propolis was observed at first, 18^th, 24^th, 48^th and 72^nd hours at 4 and 25°C. The number of cells in the tubes was counted using serial dilution method. Results indicated that propolis extract at 2 and 5% concentrations had significant antimicrobial activity againstE. coli andE. coli O157:H7, therefore we can conclude that propolis extract is worthy of further study as a natural preservative for the foods prone to microbial spoilage.     

Vegetative Compatibility and Virulence Diversity of <i>Verticillium dahliae</i> from Okra (<i>Abelmoschus esculentus</i>) Plantations in Turkey and Evaluation of Okra Landraces for Resistance to <i>V. dahliae</i>

Forty-four V. dahliae isolates were collected from symptomatic vascular tissues of okra plants each from a different field in eight provinces located in the eastern Mediterranean and western Anatolia regions of Turkey during 2006- 2009. Nitrate-nonutilizing (nit) mutants of V. dahliae from okra were used to determine heterokaryosis and genetic relatedness among isolates. All isolates from okra plants were grouped into two vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) (1 and 2) and three subgroups as 1A (13.6%, 6/44), 2A (20.5%, 9/44) and 2B (65.9%, 29/44) according to international criteria. Pathogenicity tests were performed on a susceptible local okra (A. esculentus) landrace in greenhouse conditions. All isolates from VCG1A and VCG2B induced defoliation (D) and partial defoliation (PD) symptoms, respectively. Other isolates from VCG2A gave rise to typical leaf chlorosis symptoms without defoliation. The obtained data showed that the virulence level of V. dahliae isolates from okra was related to their VCG belongings. Eighteen okra landraces from diverse geographical origins were screened for resistance to VCG2B and VCG1A of V. dahliae. The results indicated that all landraces were more susceptible to highly virulent VCG1A-D pathotype displaying D or PD symptoms depending on their susceptibility levels with a mean disease severity index of 3.52 than to less virulent VCG2B-PD pathotype of V. dahliae displaying PD and ND symptoms with a mean disease severity index of 2.52. Significant differences were observed among the landraces; however, none of them exhibited a level of resistance. Okra landraces; Çorum, Hatay Has and Şanlıurfa displayed the lowest level of susceptibility or little tolerance to both D and PD pathotypes. VCG2B of PD was prevailing in the surveyed areas and VCG1A of D was the most virulent of the VCGs identified. Introduction of resistant genotypes to Turkish okra germplasm from different sources and breeding new resistant okra cultivars are critical for the sustainability of okra production.     

Field assessment in land of origin of host specificity,infestation rate and impact of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceratapion basicorne</Emphasis> a prospective biological control agent of yellow starthistle

Yellow starthistle, Centaurea solstitialis (Asteraceae), is an important invasive alien weed in the western United States. Currently established biological control agents attack only the capitula (flowerheads), and are not effectively controlling the plant in much of its range. The geographic center of diversity for the plant appears to be in Turkey, but no agents have been introduced from this country. Ceratapion basicorne (Coleoptera: Apionidae) is common in Central Turkey, attacking 25–100% of yellow starthistle plants. In a field experiment, Ceratapion spp. attacked 90% of yellow starthistle plants and 88% of milk thistle plants (Silybum marianum) but not seven other plant species, including artichoke and safflower. We suspect that a different species of insect attacked milk thistle, but they emerged before the plants were sampled. Laboratory tests showed that C. basicorne does not oviposit in milk thistle. Ceratapion basicorne appears to be more host specific than was suggested by previous studies of a population in Italy (Clement etal. 1989. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 82: 741–747). The insect is gregarious, and the number of larvae per plant was positively correlated to root diameter. The level of damage to individual plants was positively correlated to the proportion of plants attacked, indicating aggregation both among plants and within plants. Field data did not show any impact of the insect on plant size or number of capitula, but germination rate of seeds produced by infested plants was 15% lower than for uninfested plants at two of three sites studied.     

Biosorption characteristics of Aspergillus flavus biomass for removal of Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions from an aqueous solution

The Pb(II) and Cu(II) biosorption characteristics of Aspergillus flavus fungal biomass were examined as a function of initial pH, contact time and initial metal ion concentration. Heat inactivated (killed) biomass was used in the determination of optimum conditions before investigating the performance of pretreated biosorbent. The maximum biosorption values were found to be 13.46 +/- 0.99 mg/g for Pb(II) and 10.82 +/- 1.46 mg/g for Cu(II) at pH 5.0 +/- 0.1 with an equilibrium time of 2 h. Detergent, sodium hydroxide and dimethyl sulfoxide pretreatments enhanced the biosorption capacity of biomass in comparison with the heat inactivated biomass. The biosorption data obtained under the optimum conditions were well described by the Freundlich isotherm model. Competitive biosorption of Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions was also investigated to determine the selectivity of the biomass. The results indicated that A. flavus is a suitable biosorbent for the removal of Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution.     

Elevated interleukin-12 and CXCL10 in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

Immunosuppression associated with measles virus (MV) can be demonstrated by cytokine production failure in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) and may have implications on the pathogenesis of the disease. Cytokines (IL-12, IL-10, IL-4, IL-17, IL-18, IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma) and chemokines (CXCL8, CXCL10, CCL2 and CCL5) were measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples from 60 patients with SSPE, 36 patients with infectious and/or inflammatory (IN) and 28 with other non-inflammatory (NIN) neurological diseases by ELISA. IL-12 p70+p40 was elevated in CSF and sera of SSPE when compared to the NIN group. However, the CSF levels of IL-12 p70 alone were not increased, indicating an increase of p40. The CSF of SSPE patients also showed relatively higher levels of IL-10 than that of the NIN group. CXCL10 levels in CSF were significantly higher in SSPE, whereas CXCL8 was increased in sera compared to NIN. No difference was detected in IFN-gamma, IFN-alpha, IL-17, IL-18, IL-4 or CCL2 and CCL5 levels. These results demonstrate that immune response against MV in SSPE may be impaired, although some T cell/Th1 inducing stimulations are present.     

Modeling above‐ground litterfall in eastern Mediterranean conifer forests using fractional tree cover,and remotely sensed and ground data

Question: How can we model above‐ground litterfall in Mediterranean conifer forests using remotely sensed and ground data, and geographic information systems (GIS)? Location: Eastern Mediterranean conifer forest of Turkey. Methods: Above‐ground litterfall from Mediterranean forest stands of Pinus nigra, Cedrus libani, Pinus brutia and Juniperus excelsa and mixed Abies cilicica, C. libani and P. nigra was modeled as a function of fractional tree cover using a regression tree algorithm, based on IKONOS and Landsat TM/ETM+data. Landsat TM/ETM+images for the study area were used to map actual stand patterns, based on a land‐cover map of species stands using a supervised classification. Results: Total amount of annual above‐ground litterfall for the entire study area (12 260 km²) was estimated at 417.2 Mg ha^?1 for P. brutia, 291.1 Mg ha^?1 for the mixed stand, 115.5 Mg ha^?1 for P. nigra, 54.6 Mg ha^?1 for J. excelsa and 45.9 Mg ha^?1 for C. libani. The maps generated indicate the distribution of the seasonal amount of total above‐ground litterfall for different species and the distribution of species stands in the study area. There was an increase in the amount of above‐ground litterfall for P. brutia stand in summer, for J. excelsa in autumn and for C. libani, P. nigra and the mixed stand of A. cilicica, P. nigra and C. libani in winter. Conclusion: Application of this model helps to improve the accuracy of estimated litterfall input to soil organic carbon pools in the Mediterranean conifer forests.     

Effect of synthetic and natural culture media on laccase production by white rot fungi

Laccase is among the major enzymes of white rot fungi involved in lignocellulose degradation. The present paper reports its production by two white rot fungi (Coriolus versicolor, Funalia trogii) under different nutritional conditions. Various synthetic culture media and natural culture medium (molasses wastewater) were tested. Enzyme production in various synthetic culture media, molasses wastewater (vinasse) culture medium and in the absence or presence of cotton stalk supplements showed that vinasse culture medium was a better laccase-inducer medium than the synthetic culture medium. Addition of cotton stalk to various media enhanced the enzyme production. The highest laccase activity was obtained in vinasse culture medium with cotton stalk.