Acute brucella melitensis M16 infection model in mice treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors

Introduction: There is limited data in the literature about brucellosis related to an intracellular pathogen and anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNFα) medication. The aim of this study was to evaluate acute Brucella infections in mice receiving anti-TNFα drug treatment. Methodology: Anti-TNFα drugs were injected in mice on the first and fifth days of the study, after which the mice were infected with B. melitensis M16 strain. Mice were sacrificed on the fourteenth day after infection. Bacterial loads in the liver and spleen were defined, and histopathological changes were evaluated. Results: Neither the liver nor the spleen showed an increased bacterial load in all anti-TNFα drug groups when compared to a non-treated, infected group. The most significant histopathological findings were neutrophil infiltrations in the red pulp of the spleen and apoptotic cells with hepatocellular pleomorphism in the liver. There was no significant difference among the groups in terms of previously reported histopathological findings, such as extramedullary hematopoiesis and granuloma formation. Conclusions: There were no differences in hepatic and splenic bacterial load and granuloma formation, which indicate worsening of the acute Brucella infection in mice; in other words, anti-TNFα treatment did not exacerbate the acute Brucella spp. infection in mice. © 2015 Kutlu et al

Biological invasions are a population-level rather than a species-level phenomenon.

Biological invasions pose a rapidly expanding threat to the persistence, functioning and service provisioning of ecosystems globally, and to socio-economic interests. The stages of successful invasions are driven by the same mechanism that underlies adaptive changes across species in general-via natural selection on intraspecific variation in traits that influence survival and reproductive performance (i.e., fitness). Surprisingly, however, the rapid progress in the field of invasion science has resulted in a predominance of species-level approaches (such as deny lists), often irrespective of natural selection theory, local adaptation and other population-level processes that govern successful invasions. To address these issues, we analyse non-native species dynamics at the population level by employing a database of European freshwater macroinvertebrate time series, to investigate spreading speed, abundance dynamics and impact assessments among populations. Our findings reveal substantial variability in spreading speed and abundance trends within and between macroinvertebrate species across biogeographic regions, indicating that levels of invasiveness and impact differ markedly. Discrepancies and inconsistencies among species-level risk screenings and real population-level data were also identified, highlighting the inherent challenges in accurately assessing population-level effects through species-level assessments. In recognition of the importance of population-level assessments, we urge a shift in invasive species management frameworks, which should account for the dynamics of different populations and their environmental context. Adopting an adaptive, region-specific and population-focused approach is imperative, considering the diverse ecological contexts and varying degrees of susceptibility. Such an approach could improve and refine risk assessments while promoting mechanistic understandings of risks and impacts, thereby enabling the development of more effective conservation and management strategies

Hidden inequalities amongst the international workforce

This chapter focuses on low status expatriates who have been largely ‘hidden’ from managerial scholarship. They are ‘hidden’ because they are ignored by the migrant literature which looks at people trying to remain in their new society and gain citizenship; and ignored by the expatriation literature which is mainly concerned with high-status ‘top’ talent. These hidden expatriates are typically maids, drivers, security guards, and construction workers - low status and low paid, unable to obtain citizenship, and liable to be sent home, unemployed, at the whim of their employer. If we, as scholars, are to contribute to the betterment of society by elevating the health and well-being of those who live in it, then we must recognise the existence of and address the management issues and concerns of those at the ‘bottom of the pyramid’. We use Organisational Justice theory and draw on examples from Turkey, Singapore and the Middle East to examine the position, the concerns, and the issues of such workers and their often-unequal place in the workforce

Ultrasound homojenizasyonun karaciğer homojenatlarında süperoksit dismutaz, glutasyon peroksidaz, katalaz aktiviteleri ve lipid peroksit düzeylerine etkileri

Amaç: Çalışmada mekanik ve ultrasound (sonikasyon) homojenizasyon tekniklerinin karaciğer süperoksit dismutaz, glutasyon peroksidaz, katalaz aktiviteleri ile lipid peroksitleri ve total protein düzeylerine etkileri araştırılmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu amaçla taze dana karaciğeri küçük parçalara ayrılarak mekanik homojenizasyon (2 dk) ve sonikasyon (2, 4, 6, 8 ve 10 sn) grupları oluşturuldu. Süperoksit dismutaz, glutasyon peroksidaz, katalaz enzim aktiviteleri ile lipid peroksitleri ve total protein düzeyleri homojenatların süpernatantında spektrofotometrik yöntemlerle belirlendi. Bulgular: Süperoksit dismutaz, glutasyon peroksidaz, katalaz aktiviteleri ile total protein düzeylerinin, mekanik homojenizasyon gruplarında, sonikasyon grubuna göre önemli düzeyde farklı (P<0.05) olduğu tespit edildi. Sonikasyon grubu süperoksit dismutaz ve glutasyon peroksidaz aktiviteleri, mekanik homojenizasyon grubuna göre yüksek, katalaz aktiviteleri ise düşük bulundu (P<0.05). Glutasyon peroksidaz aktivitesi, 8 sn sonikasyon grubunda, 2, 4, 6 ve 10 sn'lik gruplara göre düşük (P<0.05) belirlenirken, katalaz 8 sn sonikasyon grubu diğer sonikasyon gruplarına göre en yüksek (P<0.05) aktivite düzeylerini gösterdi. Total protein düzeyleri 8 sn sonikasyon grubunda diğer gruplara göre düşük olarak gözlemlendi, istatistiksel fark ise 2, 6 ve 10 sn (P<0.05) gruplar arasında belirlendi. Lipid peroksidasyonu 8 sn grupta diğer gruplara göre yüksek seyrettiği, ancak istatistiksel farkın 2 sn (P<0.05) grup ile oluştuğu belirlendi. Öneriler: Karaciğer homojenatlarında, antioksidan enzim aktiviteleri ile lipid peroksidasyon ve total protein düzeyleri üzerine mekanik homojenizasyon ve sonikasyon tekniklerinin etkilerinin farklı olduğu, ayrıca, 8 sn sonikasyon uygulamasının, tüm parametreler için kritik bir nokta olabileceği düşünülmüştür.Aim: In this study, effects of ultrasound homogenisation (Sonication) technique on the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, levels of lipid peroxidation and total protein in liver homogenates were investigated. Materials and Methods: Postmortem healthy fresh calf liver was used as the material. Liver was sliced and grouped as mechanical homogenisation (2 min) and sonication group (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 second sonication). Activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, levels of lipid peroxidation and total protein were measured in supernatant of homogenisated samples by spectrophotometric methods. Results: Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase activities and total protein levels in mechanical group were significantly different from sonication groups (P&lt;0.05). In sonication groups, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were higher and catalase activity was lower from mechanical group (P&lt;0.05). As regards glutathione peroxidase activity, 8 sec sonication group was the lowest compared to 2, 4, 6 (P&gt;0.05) and 10 sec (P&lt;0.05) groups whereas 8 sec catalase activity was the highest compared to other sonication groups (P&lt;0.05). Total protein level was the lowest in 8 sec group compared to the other sonication groups which significant difference was determined in 2, 6 and 10 sec (P&lt;0.05) groups. Lipid peroxidation level was the highest in 8 sec sonication group compared to other sonication groups with a significance in 2 sec group (P&lt;0.05). Conclusions: In liver homogenates, antioxidant enzyme activities, lipid peroxidation and total protein levels were significantly different between mechanical and ultrasound homogenisation groups. Sonication for 8 seconds suggested to be critical point

Effects Of Vitamin-D Deficiency And Repletion On Insulin And Glucagon-Secretion In Man

WoSScopu

Kımız üretimi ve özellikleri üzerinde bir araştırma

Kumiss chiefly made from mere's milk is a fermented dairy product as well, both for neatly and nutritional characteristcs. in this study; Kumiss production techniques, kumiss composition made in Izmir and organic acid contents were determined by HPLC (High Perfor-mance Liquid Chromotography): Kımız genellikle kısrak sütünden üretilen sağlık ve besleyici özellikleri açısından önem taşıyan fermente bir süt içeceğidir. Çalışmada kımız üretim yöntemleri, bölgemizde üretilen kımızın bileşimi ile örneklerde bulunan organik asit miktarları HPLC ile belirlenmiştir

Length-weight relationships for 30 demersal fish species from çandarli bay (North aegean sea, Turkey) [Duzinsko-maseni odnos za 30 prid-nenih vrsta riba iz zaljeva çandari (sjeverno egejsko more, Turska)]

Length-weight relationships were investigated for 30 demersal fish species from Çandarlı Bay in the North Aegean Sea. Fish samples were caught from depths of 30-95 m in five different stations by bottom trawl between March 2003 and August 2004. The b values in the length-weight relationship varied  between  1.654  and  3.977,  over  50%  of  which  between  2.968  and 3.265 with a mean value of 2.949 (SE = ±0.05). The growth type was determined by t-test: 13 species (43%) showed positive allometries (b > 3; t-test, P 0.05) and the  remaning 4 species (14%) negative allometries (b<3; t-test, P < 0.05). © The Author(s) 2015. Published by University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture. All rights reserved