Muscle gene expression of CGRP-α, CGRP receptor,nAchR-β, and GDNF in response to different endurance training protocols of Wistar rats

Molecular Biology Reports - The neuromuscular junction underwent adaptations to meet the demands of muscles following increased muscle activity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of...     

The effect of oleuropein on unilateral ureteral obstruction induced-kidney injury in rats: the role of oxidative stress,inflammation and apoptosis

Molecular Biology Reports - Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) induces kidney injury. Oleuropein as a major compound of olive leaves modulates the inflammatory parameters and decreases oxidative...     

Long-term exposure to outdoor VOCs and lung function in urban adults: a cross-sectional study in Tabriz an industrialized city in the northwest of Iran

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of outdoor benzene, toluene, xylenes, and styrene (BTXS) on respiratory system performance in adults living in an industrialized city. The concentration of BTXS was measured in the three selected areas (low traffic, high traffic and industrial). Pulmonary function of totally 219 participants who have lived in the selected areas for at least five years, were evaluated through the spiromertry. Based on the results, significant differences were observed between the mean concentrations of BTXS (industrial area?>?high traffic area?>?low traffic area). Considerable decline of 0.46?L, 0.41?L, 2.99%, 0.9?L/min, and 0.59?L/s for Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV₁), FEV₁/FVC, Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) and Forced Expiratory Flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity (FEF_25–75%), respectively, were detected in industrial area residents compared to the low traffic region. In addition, some spirometric parameters were different between the other sampling sites. In conclusion, the results showed that the long term exposure to higher concentrations of BTXS increases respiratory dysfunction risks in industrial and high traffic areas respectively, as compared with living in the low traffic region.     

Separating the spindle,checkpoint, and timer functions of BubR1

BubR1 performs several roles during mitosis, affecting the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC), mitotic timing, and spindle function, but the interdependence of these functions is unclear. We have analyzed in Drosophila melanogaster the mitotic phenotypes of kinase-dead (KD) BubR1 and BubR1 lacking the N-terminal KEN box. bubR1-KD individuals have a robust SAC but abnormal spindles with thin kinetochore fibers, suggesting that the kinase activity modulates microtubule capture and/or dynamics but is relatively dispensable for SAC function. In contrast, bubR1-KEN flies have normal spindles but no SAC. Nevertheless, mitotic timing is normal as long as Mad2 is present. Thus, the SAC, timer, and spindle functions of BubR1 are substantially separable. Timing is shorter in bubR1-KEN mad2 double mutants, yet in these flies, lacking both critical SAC components, chromosomes still segregate accurately, reconfirming that in Drosophila, reliable mitosis does not need the SAC.     

Foraging behaviour and feeding success of the black-necked stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) in Dudwa National Park, Uttar Pradesh, India

Foraging behaviour of the black-necked stork (BNS) Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus was studied in 1996 and 1997 in Dudwa National Park (DNP), Uttar Pradesh, India. The storks were observed using tactile and visual techniques to catch fish. Of the 929 fish seen caught in 2 years, 894 (96%) were caught by a tactile mode of feeding and the remaining 35 (4%) by a visual mode of feeding. The rate of foraging attempts by BNS fluctuates with that of season in DNP and coincides with prey abundance. Immediately after the monsoon when the water level was high, BNS had to search for prey more often, as the prey became widespread. Whereas in summer when the water level decreased, the concentration of the fish was higher, which helps BNS to catch fish in quick succession. Prey behaviour and the condition of the wetland determined the selection of the tactile foraging technique among the BNS in DNP. The black-necked storks were more successful in the early hours of the day (06:00–10:00) and they were generally more successful or preferred to feed on medium-sized fish (i.e. 5–10 cm) in DNP. Prey profitability was highest for larger size fish and decreased as the prey size decreased. Principal component analysis showed that prey size, handling time of each prey, the month and water depth determined foraging success in 1996 and 1997.     

Bioremediation of kerosene II: a case study in contaminated clay (Laboratory and field: scale microcosms)

Kerosene contaminated clay results in large amounts from the treatment of Jet kerosene produced from Merox process, in the Middle East Operation and Maintenance for Oil Refineries (MIDOR), Alexandria and represent a great environmental pollution problem. The treatment of the clay was performed with natural attenuation, biostimulation and bioaugmentation in lab and field-scale microcosms. More than 90% of the kerosene was biodegraded in bioaugmentation and biostimulation processes, while only 50% was obtained by natural attenuation after seven weeks. Urea 46% and superphosphate 15.5% were used as nitrogen and phosphorus sources due to their low cost and local availability. The immobilized cells enhanced the biodegradation processes and reduced the time. Dehydrogenase activity was affected by the time and type of the treatment. The degradation percent was found to be 85–90% at temperature range 21–24°C, while only 57–68% was obtained at temperature 15–17°C. The lab-scale microcosm was scaled up to field microcosm with a great success.