Phytoplasmas of sesame and Orosius orientalis are genetically diverse based on 16S rDNA sequencing and PCR-RFLP in Turkey

Sesame phyllody causes significant yield losses mainly in Mediterranean region of Turkey. To detect and identify phytoplasmas of sesame and the cicadellid vector Orosius orientalis, samples were collected during 2011–2013 in Antalya. Nested PCR amplification of the 16S rDNA gave an amplification band of approximately 1246 bp corresponding to the 16Sr F2nR2 region. Identification of the phytoplasmas based on sequence homology revealed presence of the 16Sr groups II (Peanut witches’-broom, PnWB), VI (Clover proliferation, CP) and IX (Pigeon pea witches’-broom, PPWB) in sesame plants. PnWB and CP were detected in O. orientalis. Subgroups were determined by sequencing and PCR-RFLP of the F2nR2 region. 16Sr subgroups II-D, VI-A and IX-C were identified from sesame and II-D and VI-A subgroups from the insect vector. This study shows that phytoplasmas in sesame and O. orientalis are genetically diverse and to the knowledge, VI-A group phytoplasmas from sesame and O. orientalis were characterised molecularly for the first time in Turkey.     

Biosorption of Heavy Metals (Cd2+, Cu2+, Co2+, and Mn2+) by Thermophilic Bacteria,Geobacillus thermantarcticus and Anoxybacillus amylolyticus: Equilibrium and Kinetic Studies

ABSTRACT

Two strains of thermophilic bacteria, Geobacillus thermantarcticus and Anoxybacillus amylolyticus, were employed to investigate the biosorption of heavy metals including Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, and Mn²⁺ ions. The effects of different biosorption parameters such as pH (2.0–10.0), initial metal concentrations (10.0–300.0 mg L^?1), amount of biomass (0.25–10 g L^?1), temperature (30–80°C), and contact time (15–120 min) were investigated. Concentrations of metal ions were determined by using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Optimum pHs for Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, and Mn²⁺ biosorption by Geobacillus thermantarcticus were found to be 4.0, 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0, respectively. For Anoxybacillus amylolyticus, the optimum pHs for Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, and Mn²⁺ biosorption were found to be 5.0, 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0, respectively. The Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, and Mn²⁺ removals at 50 mg L^?1 in 60 min by 50 mg dried cells of Geobacillus thermantarcticus were 85.4%, 46.3%, 43.6%, and 65.1%, respectively, whereas 74.1%, 39.8%, 35.1%, and 36.6%, respectively, for Anoxybacillus amylolyticus. The optimum temperatures for heavy metal biosorption were near the optimum growth temperatures for both strains. Scatchard plot analysis was employed to obtain more compact information about the interaction between metal ions and biosorbents. The plot results were further studied to determine if they fit Langmuir and Freundlich models.     

Fatty acid and tocochromanol patterns of some Salvia L. species

In the course of our investigations of new sources of higher plant lipids, seed fatty acid compositions and the tocochromanol contents of Salvia bracteata, S. euphratica var. euphratica, S. aucherii var. canascens, S. cryptantha, S. staminea, S. limbata, S. virgata, S. hypargeia, S. halophylla, S. syriaca and S. cilicica were investigated using GLC and HPLC systems. Some of the species are endemic to Turkey. All the Salvia sp. showed the same pattern of fatty acids. Linoleic, linolenic and oleic acid were found as the abundant components. Tocochromanol derivatives of the seed oil showed differences between Salvia species. gamma-Tocopherol was the abundant component in most of the seed oils except of S. cilicica. The total tocopherol contents of the seed oils were determined to be more than the total of tocotrienols.     

Effect of long-term therapy with sodium valproate on nail and serum trace element status in epileptic children

Antiepileptic drugs could cause changes in the trace element status of the body. Valproic acid (VPA) is a very effective anticonvulsant agent widely used in the management of various forms of epilepsy. Nail trace element content is a reliable index of trace element nutritional status of the body. To determine whether some of the side effects of antiepileptic drugs could be the result of zinc (Zn) depletion within tissues, Zn concentrations as well as copper (Cu) concentrations in nail and serum in 59 children having various types of epilepsy receiving valproate and 31 controls were assessed. Although serum Zn level in epileptic patients was found to be decreased, there was no difference in nail samples when compared to controls. There was a statistically significant increase in nail Cu level in epileptic patients when compared to controls. On the other hand, serum Cu levels were not different between the groups. Although none of our patients showed any symptoms of Cu elevation and Zn depletion, we should pay attention to potential body trace element changes in patients with epilepsy under VPA treatment. In conclusion, our results indicate that serum trace metal homeostasis might be affected by VPA therapy, but not by the convulsive disorder itself.     

Synthesis and characterization of ether-derivatized aminophosphines and their application in C-C coupling reactions

Four new bis(phosphino)amine ligands (Ph₂P)₂N-C₆H₃-R, where R = 3,5-OMe (1), 2,5-OMe (2), 2,4-OMe (3) or 3,4-OMe (4), were prepared via aminolysis of the corresponding dimethoxyanilines with 2 equiv. of diphenylphosphine chloride in the presence of triethyl amine. Oxidation of these ligands with aqueous H₂O₂, elemental S₈ or Se powder afforded the corresponding chalcogen oxides 1a-4a, sulfides 1b-4b and selenides 1c-4c in good yields. Reaction of 1-4 with [MCl₂(cod)] (M = Pt, Pd; cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene) in equimolar ratios afforded cis-[MCl₂{(Ph₂P)₂N-C₆H₃-R}] (M = Pt; R = 3,5-OMe 1d, R = 2,5-OMe 2d, R = 2,4-OMe 3d, and R = 3,4-OMe 4d. M = Pd; R = 3,5-OMe 1e, R = 2,5-OMe 2e, R = 2,4-OMe 3e, and R = 3,4-OMe 4e). Similarly, reaction of [Cu(CH₃CN)₄]PF₆ with the 1-4 in 1:2 ratio gave [Cu{(Ph₂P)₂N-C₆H₃-R}₂]PF₆ (R = 3,5-OMe 1f, 2,5-OMe 2f, 2,4-OMe 3f and 3,4-OMe 4f). All new compounds were fully characterized by spectroscopy and elemental analysis and the molecular structures of seven representative compounds were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. In addition, the palladium complexes were investigated as pre-catalysts in C-C coupling reactions.     

Morphological,anatomical and cytological investigation on endemic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lamium moschatum</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">rhodium</Emphasis>

In this study, the morphological and anatomical features of endemic Lamium moschatum Miller var. rhodium (Gand.) R. Mill (Lamiaceae) are described in detail. Lamium moschatum var. rhodium has an annual taproot. The stem is erect and clearly quadrangular. The leaves are broadly ovate to cordate-ovate or nearly suborbicular in shape. Inflorescense is verticillate cyme. The corolla is white and the tube is curved and bears an annulus inside, near the base. Cross-sections of the root, stem, petiole, leaf, calyx, corolla and generative organs were examined and the anatomical features of the taxon are discussed. Furthermore, glandular hairs distributed on the plant taxon are shown. In karyological research, chromosome numbers were determined as 2n = 18. The results are presented with photographs and tables.     

The cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of beta-blockers with different selectivity on cancerous and healthy lung cell lines

Molecular Biology Reports - β-blockers having specific affinities to β-adrenergic receptors are routinely used to treat cardiovascular problems. Additionally, it has been demonstrated...