Seasonal and spatial accumulation of heavy metals in Cystoseira barbata C. Agardh 1820 from Northeastern Black Sea coast

This study is aimed to reveal the heavy metal contamination in brown seaweed species distribute in the Northeastern Black Sea coast. This study provides important preliminary information about heavy metal accumulation in brown seaweed. Indirectly, this also provides information on the environmental pollution in the study area. Heavy metal accumulations observed were Cr: 6.8-34.9 Mn: 32.8-116, Fe: 1721-5685, Co: 0.90-3.12, Ni: 31.8-173, Cu: 6.01-20.3, Zn: 24.3-88.2, Cd: 0.16-0.69 and Pb: 0.84-3.15 mg kg-1. Such studies should be conducted occasionally to update the knowledge on accumulation of heavy metals in marine organisms and to verify the results of this study

Medial olivocochlear suppression in musicians versus non-musicians

The medial olivocochlear efferent (MOCE) branch synapses with outer hair cells (OHCs), and the efferent pathway can be activated via a contralateral acoustic stimulus (CAS). The activation of MOCE can change OHC motile responses and convert signals that are capable of controlling the sensitivity of the peripheral hearing system in a frequency-specific manner. The aim of this study was to examine the MOCE system activity in professional musicians using transient evoked otoacoustic emission test and CAS. Musician group showed stronger suppression in all frequency bands in the presence of CAS

Studies Directed toward the Synthesis of Aspidophytine: Construction of Its Perhydroquinoline Core

We have developed an efficient route for the synthesis of the perhydroquinoline core of the indole alkaloid aspidophytine (2), starting from commercially available and inexpensive 3-acetylpyridine. This densely functionalized perhydroquinoline core displays four contiguous stereocenters including an all-carbon quaternary center. The synthetic sequence features a highly effective Diels-Alder reaction using a carbamate-substituted siloxy diene accompanied by a spontaneous intramolecular substitution of the newly formed 3°-alkyl bromide with a carbamate group. The installation of the electron-rich aniline moiety was accomplished via a TBSOTf-mediated intramolecular aza-Michael reaction, and the relative stereochemistry of the aza-Michael product (30) was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Among the useful transformations that were developed through this study is a highly enantioselective Diels-Alder reaction of a versatile cyclic carbamate siloxy diene. © 2016 American Chemical Society

Influencia de un injerto en el perfil de ácidos grasos y algunas propiedades fisicoquímicas de la semilla y el aceite de semillas de sandía

This study aimed to investigate the effects of grafting on the fatty acid profile and some physicochemical properties of watermelon seed and seed oil. The ‘Crimson Tide’ cultivar was used as the scion while two wild watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides (A1 and A2)), one Lagenaria siceraria (A3) and one Cucurbita maxima Duchesne x Cucurbita moschata Duchesne (A4) were used as rootstocks. The use of rootstock significantly influenced the fatty acid profile and the physical parameters of seeds and seed oils. The highest linoleic acid ratio was found in the seed oil from A1 and A2, the oil from A3 had the highest oleic acid ratio. The results showed that the content and acid value in seed oils were improved, and that total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of both seed and oil were decreased by grafting. Wild rootstocks can be used in watermelon cultivation to obtain a watermelon seed which is rich in linoleic acid.El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar los efectos del injerto en el perfil de ácidos grasos y algunas propiedades fisicoquímicas de la semilla y el aceite de semillas de sandía. El cultivar ‘Crimson Tide’ se utilizó como vástago, mientras que dos sandías silvestres (Citrullus lanatus var. Citroides (A1 y A2)), una Lagenaria siceraria (A3) y una Cucurbita maxima Duchesne x Cucurbita moschata Duchesne (A4) se utilizaron como portainjertos. El uso de portainjertos influyó significativamente en el perfil de ácidos grasos y los parámetros físicos de semillas y aceites de semillas. La proporción de ácido linoleico más alta se encontró en el aceite de semillas de A1 y A2, el aceite de A3 tuvo la proporción de ácido oleico más alta. Los resultados mostraron que el contenido de aceite y el índice de acidez mejoró y los compuestos fenólicos totales y la actividad antioxidante tanto de la semilla como del aceite se redujeron mediante el injerto. Para obtener un aceite de semillas de sandía rico en ácido linoleico, se pueden utilizar portainjertos silvestres en el cultivo de sandía

The SEA-UNICORN European COST Action: Advancing Knowledge on Marine Connectivity to Support Transition to a Sustainable Blue Economy

The European COST Action “Unifying Approaches to Marine Connectivity for improved Resource Management for the Seas” (SEA-UNICORN, 2020‐2025) is an international research coordination initiative that unites an interdisciplinary community of scientists and policymakers from over 100 organizations across Europe and beyond. It is establishing a globally harmonized framework to deliver actionable, transdisciplinary knowledge of marine functional connectivity, promoting a sustainable blue economy and ocean conservation. Planning sustainable development in rapidly changing oceans requires a thorough comprehension of marine biodiversity and the processes underpinning the functioning of ecosystems. Connectivity among marine populations and habitats facilitates the persistence and resilience of vulnerable species and ecosystems and controls the spread of invasive species. Constructing effective networks of restoration or conservation areas and promoting sustainable harvesting requires knowledge of connectivity. SEA-UNICORN advances worldwide collaboration by coordinating the collection, sharing, and application of knowledge on species, community, and ecosystem connectivity at sea and at the land‐sea interface. It engages scientists from diverse areas and early-career researchers and creates a stronger match between natural and social science and policy needs to better address key environmental issues that challenge the future of our planet

CA8 Mutations Cause a Novel Syndrome Characterized by Ataxia and Mild Mental Retardation with Predisposition to Quadrupedal Gait

We describe a consanguineous Iraqi family in which affected siblings had mild mental retardation and congenital ataxia characterized by quadrupedal gait. Genome-wide linkage analysis identified a 5.8 Mb interval on chromosome 8q with shared homozygosity among the affected persons. Sequencing of genes contained in the interval revealed a homozygous mutation, S100P, in carbonic anhydrase related protein 8 (CA8), which is highly expressed in cerebellar Purkinje cells and influences inositol triphosphate (ITP) binding to its receptor ITPR1 on the endoplasmatic reticulum and thereby modulates calcium signaling. We demonstrate that the mutation S100P is associated with proteasome-mediated degradation, and thus presumably represents a null mutation comparable to the Ca8 mutation underlying the previously described waddles mouse, which exhibits ataxia and appendicular dystonia. CA8 thus represents the third locus that has been associated with quadrupedal gait in humans, in addition to the VLDLR locus and a locus at chromosome 17p. Our findings underline the importance of ITP-mediated signaling in cerebellar function and provide suggestive evidence that congenital ataxia paired with cerebral dysfunction may, together with unknown contextual factors during development, predispose to quadrupedal gait in humans

Total antioxidant and oxidant status in obese children without insulin resistance

Objective: Oxidative stress in obese children may lead in adulthood serious conditions such as coronary heart diseases or type 2 diabetes mellitus. In childhood oxidative stress is associated with insulin resistance or extreme obesity. In this study, we aimed to evaluate oxidative stress status in moderately obese children without insulin resistance. Methods: A total of 38 obese children (21 male, 17 female) without insulin resistance, mean aged 9.4±3.8 years) and 51 normal weight children (25 male, 26 female) as the control group, mean aged 9.3±3.9 years) were enrolled to the study. Total oxidative status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured and oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Results: The results reveal that obese children had lower TAC than normal weight children (2,27±0,28 vs. 2.76±0.35 mmol Trolox Eq./L; p<0,001). There was no statistical difference between obese and control groups regarding TOS (6,08±3,63 vs 5.25±4.16 μmol H2O2 Eq./L; p=0.333). OSI was higher in obese group (2.65±1.52 vs 1.92±1.56; p=0.029) Conclusion: Balance between oxidant and antioxidant system is disrupted due to the reduced TAC even in moderately obese children without insulin resistance. Further studies should also be performed to evaluate the beneficial effects of dietary intake of antioxidants in these children

Učinak formulacijskih parametara na oslobađanje lijeka i svojstva dvoslojnih tableta koje plutaju u želucu

Floating dosage forms of acetylsalicylic acid, used for its antithrombotic effect, were developed to prolong gastric residence time and increase bioavailability. In the two-layer tablet formulation, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) of high viscosity and an effervescent mixture of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate formed the floating layer. The release layer contained the drug, direct tableting agent and different types of matrix-forming polymers such as HPMC of low viscosity, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and chitosan. Tablets were prepared using a direct compression technique. The effect of formulation variables on physicochemical and floating properties and the drug release from tablets were investigated. Floating ability was dependent on the amount of effervescent agent and gel-forming polymer of the floating layer. Drug release was prolonged to 8 hours by changing the type and viscosity of the matrix-forming polymer in the drug-loading layer and all formulations showed a diffusion release mechanism.U radu su opisane plutajuće tablete acetilsalicilne kiseline za antikoagulacijsku upotrebu s produljenim zadržavanjem u želucu i većom bioraspoloživošću. Plutajući dio tih dvoslojnih tableta sadržavao je hidroksipropil metilcelulozu (HPMC) visoke viskoznosti i efervescentnu smjesu limunske kiseline i natrijevog hidrogenkarbonata. Drugi sloj sadržavao je ljekovitu tvar, sredstvo za izravno tabletiranje i različite vrste matriksnog polimera poput HPMC niske viskoznosti, natrij-karboksimetilceluloze i kitozana. Tablete su pripravljene metodom izravne kompresije. Ispitivan je utjecaj formulacijskih varijabli na fizikokemijska i plutajuća svojstva, te oslobađanje ljekovite tvari. Plutajuća svojstva ovise o količini efervescentnih tvari i gelirajućeg polimera u plutajućem sloju. Promjenom vrste i viskoznosti polimera u matriksnom sloju s lijekom produljeno je oslobađanje ljekovite tvari na 8 sati. Iz svih formulacija ljekovita tvar oslobađala se difuzijom