Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of boron compounds on leukemia cell line

In this study we investigated the effects of boric acid and sodium tetraborate on an acute leukemia cell line and healthy human lymphocytes. We evaluated the effects of boric acid and sodium tetraborate on the HL-60 cell line and healthy human lymphocytes by using the methods of MTT, Neutral Red, AO (flow cytometry) and transmission electron microscope. We found that there were dead cells at a concentration of 500 µM boric acid and sodium tetraborate (50 % and 40 %, respectively). An apoptotic effect was found at a concentration of 1,000 µM concentration in normal lymphocytes and HL-60 (acute leukemia cells) cells (2.5 % and 8.8 % respectively). We observed that boric acid at a concentration of 500 µM caused double nucleus and micronucleus formation in both HL-60 cells and lymphocytes. An expansion in mitochondrial dimension and deformation in cristas also appeared. Our findings suggest that boric acid is more effective than sodium tetraborate on the HL-60, and boric acid in particular showed a cytotoxic effect on HL-60 in comparison to healthy lymphocytes and it also affected the mitochondrial pathway.     

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of butyl cyclohexyl phthalate

Butyl cyclohexyl phthalate (BCP) is frequently used in personal care products, medical and household applications. The aim of this study is therefore to evaluate possible cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of BCP using in vitro and in vivo assays. The in vitro cytotoxic effect of BCP was investigated on mouse fibroblastic cell line (L929 cells) by MTT assay. The result showed that BCP inhibits cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner (IC₅₀ value = 0.29 µg/mL). For genotoxicity assessment, tested concentrations of BCP demonstrated mutagenic activity in the presence of S9 mix with the Salmonella strain TA100 in the Ames test. Results showed that BCP is a secondary mutagenic substance even in low concentrations. The data obtained from 28-days repeated toxicity tests on mice revealed that BCP caused abnormalities of chromosome number, in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, DNA damage, particularly DNA strand breaks, was assessed by Comet assay. The test result shows that BCP seemed to have genotoxic potential at a high level of exposure.     

Physiological roles of the angiogenic factors during posthatching development period and adults in the quail lung

The bronchus and vasculature form an intrinsic functional component of the avian lung, and its growth must be tightly regulated and coordinated by lung epithelial and endothelial development. Vascular endothelial growth inhibitor (VEGI), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (flk1/KDR, flt1/fms, flt4) are required for epithelial and endothelial cell survival and apoptosis. Especially, VEGF and its receptors are critical for the development of the lung and serve as a maintenance factor during adult life. To determine the function of VEGI, VEGF and its receptors in the posthatching lung development, we revealed its expression and localization using by immunohistochemical procedure. VEGI, VEGF and its receptors were observed in the structural components of the bronchi, atria and air capillaries, as well as in the pulmonary blood vessels throughout the posthatching development period. On the other hand, immunostaining for VEGI, VEGF and its receptors was faintly detected in the glands of the secondary bronchi. Furthermore, it was determined that the secondary bronchial and atrial muscles did not display VEGF immunoreactions. Our results showed that VEGF and its receptors (flt1/fms, flk1/KDR and flt4) and VEGI were expressed at varying intensity by different cell groups. Therefore, they are also required for the development of the lung component during posthatching period.     

miRISC and the CCR4–NOT complex silence mRNA targets independently of 43S ribosomal scanning

miRNAs associate with Argonaute (AGO) proteins to silence the expression of mRNA targets by inhibiting translation and promoting deadenylation, decapping, and mRNA degradation. A current model for silencing suggests that AGOs mediate these effects through the sequential recruitment of GW182 proteins, the CCR4–NOT deadenylase complex and the translational repressor and decapping activator DDX6. An alternative model posits that AGOs repress translation by interfering with eIF4A function during 43S ribosomal scanning and that this mechanism is independent of GW182 and the CCR4–NOT complex in Drosophila melanogaster. Here, we show that miRNAs, AGOs, GW182, the CCR4–NOT complex, and DDX6/Me31B repress and degrade polyadenylated mRNA targets that are translated via scanning‐independent mechanisms in both human and Dm cells. This and additional observations indicate a common mechanism used by these proteins and miRNAs to mediate silencing. This mechanism does not require eIF4A function during ribosomal scanning.     

First report of Chilo partellus in Turkey,a new invasive maize pest for Europe

The spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe, 1885) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), an invasive pest of wild and cultivated grasses in Asia and Africa, was found for the first time during periodic surveys of maize fields in the East Mediterranean region of Turkey in September and October 2014. The pest was recorded in maize fields of three of four provinces surveyed (Adana, Hatay and Osmaniye; it was not detected in Icel province). The Mediterranean corn stalk borer, Sesamia nonagrioides Lefebvre (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is the dominant maize pest in the East Mediterranean region of Turkey, followed by the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). The new invasive species comprised 4.9% of the total number of collected lepidopteran pests collected from maize stems and cobs in locations infested by C. partellus. No natural enemies of the new pest were recorded during our surveys. We discuss possible interactions among these three lepidopteran pests sharing the same habitat, prospects for control of C. partellus by the control methods currently used against S. nonagrioides and O. nubilalis, and also speculate on the path of invasion taken by C. partellus into Turkey.     

Two new species of the genus Zercon C. L. Koch from the Inner Aegean Region of Turkey (Acari: Mesostigmata: Zerconidae)

Two new species of the mite genus Zercon C. L. Koch, 1836 have been found: Zercon ekizi sp. n. and Zercon emirdagicus sp. n. are described and illustrated from female specimens collected in Afyonkarahisar and Kütahya provinces, Turkey. The similarities and differences between the related species are discussed.

http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7388D199-2D1D-49F7-9747-4F49E8810067     

Patterns and drivers of phytodiversity in steppe grasslands of Central Podolia (Ukraine)

We asked: (i) Which environmental factors determine the level of α-diversity at several scales and β-diversity in steppic grasslands? (ii) How do the effects of environmental factors on α- and β-diversity vary between the different taxonomic groups (vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens)? We sampled nested-plot series ranging from 0.0001 to 100 m² and additional 10-m² plots, covering different vegetation types and management regimes in steppes and semi-natural dry grasslands of Central Podolia (Ukraine). We recorded all terricolous taxa and used topographic, soil, land-use and climatic variables as predictors. Richness-environment relationships at different scales and across taxonomic groups were assessed with multimodel inference. We also fitted power-law species-area relationships, using the exponent (z value) as a measure of β-diversity. In general, the richness values in the study region were intermediate compared to those known from similar grasslands throughout the Palaearctic, but for 1 cm² we found seven species of vascular plants, a new world record. Heat index was the most important factor for vascular plants and bryophytes (negative relation), while lichen diversity depended mainly on stone and rock cover (positive). The explanatory power of climate-related variables increased with increasing grain size, while anthropogenic burning was the most important factor for richness patterns at the finest grain sizes (positive effect). The z values showed more variation at the finest grain sizes, but no significant differences in their mean between scales. The results highlight the importance of integrating scale into ecological analyses and nature conservation assessments in order to understand and manage biological diversity in steppe ecosystems.     

The Effectiveness of Raloxifene-Loaded Liposomes and Cochleates in Breast Cancer Therapy

Liposome (spherical vesicles) and cochleate (multilayer crystalline, spiral structure) formulations containing raloxifene have been developed having dimethyl-β-cyclodextrin (DM-β-CD) or sodium taurocholate (NaTC). Raloxifene was approved initially for the treatment of osteoporosis but it is also effective on breast tissue and endometrial cells. Raloxifene inhibits matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) enzyme, which is known to be responsible for tumor invasion and the initiation of angiogenesis during the tumor growth. Therefore, raloxifene was selected as a model drug. A series of raloxifene-loaded liposome and cochleate formulations were prepared. In vitro release studies and in vivo tests were performed. Breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7) were also used to find the most effective formulation. Highest antitumor activity was observed, and MMP-2 enzyme was also found to be inhibited with raloxifene-loaded cochleates containing DM-β-CD. These developed formulations can be helpful for further treatment alternatives and new strategies for cancer therapy.