Bioproduction, structure elucidation and in vitro antiproliferative effect of eumelanin pigment fromStreptomyces parvusBSB49

In this study, the structure of the purified extracellular eumelanin pigment isolated fromStreptomycesspp. was elucidated by detailed analysis via two different spectroscopic techniques (FT-IR and NMR). In vitro antiproliferative effects of eumelanin were evaluated on HeLa cell line. These experiments were carried out with the evaluation of the parameters including cell viability, cell index, and mitotic index. With the cell viability and cell index, IC50 concentration of eumelanin was determined as 10 mu M. This result showed that the IC50 concentration of eumelanin decreased the values of cell viability, cell index and mitotic index. These changes are statistically significant (p < 0.01). The ability of the dissolved eumelanin (250 mu g mL(-1)) to scavenge free radicals was determined via DPPH and ABTS and was shown to be about 87.73% and 75.2%, respectively, compared with standard antioxidants. It was observed that dry weights of eumelanin yield among the selected strains ranged from 160 to 240 mg L-1. The strain with the highest production potential was selected for 16S rDNA sequence analysis and, accordingly, the selected strain BSB49 was identified asStreptomyces parvusand the sequence analysis results were deposited in NCBI under accession number MK894155

TSUNAMI HAZARD ASSESSMENT IN ISTANBUL USING BY HIGH RESOLUTION SATELLITE DATA (IKONOS) AND DTM

Historical tsunami events have impacted the Istanbul coasts along the Sea of Marmara. Offshore seismic sources may trigger these tsunamis directly or through coseismic underwater failure. The 1999 zmit Bay tsunami led to more comprehensive analyses of these events which are generally caused by underwater failures close to the target coastline. Waves so generated can arrive at nearby coastlines in minutes, causing extensive damage and loss of life. Here this paper propose, on the basis of tsunami models in the Sea of Marmara and methodology used internationally, first generation tsunami inundation maps for the areas along the southern coast of Istanbul using by High Resolution Satellite Data (IKONOS) and Digital Terrain Data (DTM). Such maps and images for selected areas help to understand the possible effects on those regions and should only be used for evacuation planning and reducing possible hazard. 1

Effect of adding diltiazem to cold blood potassium cardioplegia on myocardial protection

It is still controversial whether the use of calcium channel blockers in cardioplegic solutions decreases ischemic and reperfusion damage. In this study, the effect of diltiazem addition to cold blood potassium cardioplegia in the induction phase on myocardial protection was investigated. A prospective, randomized trial was instituted to evaluate the hemodynamic and myocardial metabolic recovery in 20 patients undergoing elective aortocoronary bypass with either diltiazem in cold blood potassium cardioplegia (diltiazem group, n=10) or cold blood potassium cardioplegia (control group, n=10). In the diltiazem group, 150 mg/kg diltiazem was added to the cardioplegic solution in the induction phase of cardioplegia. In all cases, blood samples for measurement of lactate level and calculation of lactate extraction were taken from coronary sinus and radial artery at the beginning and the 30th minute of reperfusion period. CK-MB levels were measured in the intensive care at postoperative 6th and 18th hours. The hemodynamic findings of both diltiazem and control groups were compared in the preoperative and early postoperative periods. Lactate production was significantly lower in the diltiazem group at the beginning of the reperfusion period (p0.05). CK-MB level was significantly higher in the control group in the postoperative period. Similar hemodynamic findings were obtained in both groups in the preoperative and the early postoperative periods. We concluded that diltiazem addition to cold blood potassium cardioplegia decreases ischemic and reperfusion damage and has a beneficial effect on myocardial protection