Structural and textural evolution of zirconia nanocrystals induced by thermal treatment

Nanometric tetragonal and monoclinic zirconia was synthesized from zirconyl chloride by the modified forced hydrolysis method. Phase transitions and morphological changes accompanying zirconia calcination in the temperaure range 600–1000 °C were studied by XRD, HR-TEM techniques and N2-porosimetry. Ageing of the amorphous hydrous zirconia at 100 °C for 48 h in the mother solution and its subsequent calcination at 600 °C for 6 h strongly favoured formation of single-phase tetragonal ZrO2 of the thermal stability enhanced by 250 °C. Influence of the calcination temperature on phase composition, grain size, grain boundaries and pore structure of the resultant ZrO2 material was analyzed

NOTES ON THE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY OF LABIDOSTOMMA(ACARI PROSTIGMATA LABIDOSTOMMIDAE) IN POLAND

The current article is a brief summary of results obtained from long-term observations (for over 67 years) ofLabidostommatidae mites in Poland. The study is based on 21,470 samples collected in different environments anddifferent locations, and each of them had a different protection status. The analysis focuses on the frequency ofoccurrence and habitat preferencesof Labidostomma luteumKramer, 1879, Labidostomma denticulatum(Schrank,1776) and Labidostomma cornutum(G. Canestrini & Fanzago, 1878) in Poland. The results of the analysis show that L.luteumwas the most frequent species found in the analyzed material, whereas specimens of L. cornutumwere very rare.Moreover, the long-term research conducted in Poland since 1950 has allowed to analyze changes in the averageabundance of the examined species in this area. The results of the analysis has revealed a decrease in the abundance ofL. luteum, which is evident especially after 1990. Finally, the comparison of the abundance of Labidostommain legallyprotected areas and those without any legal protection shows that the mites definitely prefer areas with a lowanthropogenic pressure

Muzeum Przyrodnicze Uniwersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu

The Natural History Museum of Biology and Earth Sciences Department in the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń was established on the 14th of November, 1973. From the beginning of its existence the Museum has been devoted to the educational programs and promotion of natural sciences, including environmental protection, among students, apprentices and other nature lovers. Research is also conducted in the Museum. Furthermore, the Museum organizes various popular science and cognitive events (photo exhibitions, aquaristic events, photo and film contests, and the like). The exhibits in the display halls were collected from various sources, such as: donations, scientific expeditions by university researchers, purchase and taxidermy works carried out by museum staff. The largest exhibition hall houses a number of displays of animal classification and the Earth’s climate zones

Microbial identification for an effective biocleaning: the case study of the Santa Lucia alle Malve rupestrian church

Identifying the microbial community that lives on the lithic cultural heritage through phenotypic and genotypic approaches is fundamental for understanding the contribution of colonisers in biodeterioration and selecting the best cleaning solutions with environmentally-friendly products. This was done with the cultivable microbiota present on the internal walls of the Santa Lucia alle Malve (SLM) rock church, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The SLM church is in the Sasso Caveoso area (Matera, South Italy). It is fully excavated in the limestone rock. Numerous frescoes cover the internal surfaces, but the bacterial and fungal colonisation spoils its beauty. The results of this study clearly showed the predominance of bacteria of the phylum Firmicutes and precisely of the genus Bacillus, whose prevalence may be due to the specific environmental conditions, very similar in all sampling sites of the church, and to their ability to produce endospores. These dormant forms allow bacteria to survive in unfavourable conditions. The genotypic approach showed that the various Bacillus species isolated on the surfaces of the experimented church are closely related and similar but show a different phenotypic profile. This diversity of physiological and morphological traits reflects the potential complexity of the metabolomes present in the bacterial communities of the internal walls of the SLM and confirms the need to identify the colonisers correctly and proceed with a non-temporary bio-cleaning. The results of bio-cleaning using Solanum nigrum extracts were effective, but the durability of the treatment has yet to be verified

Microbial identification for an effective biocleaning: the case study of the Santa Lucia alle Malve rupestrian church

Identifying the microbial community that lives on the lithic cultural heritage through phenotypic and genotypic approaches is fundamental for understanding the contribution of colonisers in biodeterioration and selecting the best cleaning solutions with environmentally-friendly products. This was done with the cultivable microbiota present on the internal walls of the Santa Lucia alle Malve (SLM) rock church, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The SLM church is in the Sasso Caveoso area (Matera, South Italy). It is fully excavated in the limestone rock. Numerous frescoes cover the internal surfaces, but the bacterial and fungal colonisation spoils its beauty. The results of this study clearly showed the predominance of bacteria of the phylum Firmicutes and precisely of the genus Bacillus, whose prevalence may be due to the specific environmental conditions, very similar in all sampling sites of the church, and to their ability to produce endospores. These dormant forms allow bacteria to survive in unfavourable conditions. The genotypic approach showed that the various Bacillus species isolated on the surfaces of the experimented church are closely related and similar but show a different phenotypic profile. This diversity of physiological and morphological traits reflects the potential complexity of the metabolomes present in the bacterial communities of the internal walls of the SLM and confirms the need to identify the colonisers correctly and proceed with a non-temporary bio-cleaning. The results of bio-cleaning using Solanum nigrum extracts were effective, but the durability of the treatment has yet to be verified

Solanum nigrum Fruit Extract Modulates Immune System Activity of Mealworm Beetle, Tenebrio molitor L

: Here, we report the first evidence concerning the modulation of insect immune system activity after applying Solanum nigrum fruit extract (EXT). We focused on two main issues: (1) is EXT cytotoxic for Tenebrio molitor haemocytes? and (2) how EXT affects the basic immune mechanisms of T. molitor. The results indicate cytotoxic action of 0.01 and 0.1% EXT on beetle haemocytes. Both the injection of EXT and incubating haemocytes with the EXT solution on microscopic slides significantly increased the number of apoptotic cells. However, 24 h after injection of 0.1% EXT cytotoxic effect of the tested extract probably was masked by the increased number of circulating haemocytes. Application of 0.01 and 0.1% EXT led to impairment of the activity of basic immune mechanisms such as phenoloxidase activity and the lysozyme-like antimicrobial activity of T. molitor haemolymph. Moreover, the EXT elicited significant changes in the expression level of selected immune genes. However, some of the immunomodulatory effects of EXT were different in beetles with and without an activated immune system. The obtained results are an essential step toward a complete understanding of the EXT mode of action on the T. molitor physiology and its potential usage in pest control

The protective role of carbon monoxide (CO) produced by heme oxygenases and derived from the CO-releasing molecule CORM-2 in the pathogenesis of stress-induced gastric lesions : evidence for non-involvement of nitric oxide (NO)

Carbon monoxide (CO) produced by heme oxygenase (HO)-1 and HO-2 or released from the CO-donor, tricarbonyldichlororuthenium (II) dimer (CORM-2) causes vasodilation, with unknown efficacy against stress-induced gastric lesions. We studied whether pretreatment with CORM-2 (0.1–10 mg/kg oral gavage (i.g.)), RuCl3 (1 mg/kg i.g.), zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP) (10 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.)), hemin (1–10 mg/kg i.g.) and CORM-2 (1 mg/kg i.g.) combined with NG-nitro-l-arginine (l-NNA, 20 mg/kg i.p.), 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 10 mg/kg i.p.), indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.p.), SC-560 (5 mg/kg i.g.), and celecoxib (10 mg/kg i.g.) affects gastric lesions following 3.5 h of water immersion and restraint stress (WRS). Gastric blood flow (GBF), the number of gastric lesions and gastric CO and nitric oxide (NO) contents, blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) level and the gastric expression of HO-1, HO-2, hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) were determined. CORM-2 (1 mg/kg i.g.) and hemin (10 mg/kg i.g.) significantly decreased WRS lesions while increasing GBF, however, RuCl3 was ineffective. The impact of CORM-2 was reversed by ZnPP, ODQ, indomethacin, SC-560 and celecoxib, but not by l-NNA. CORM-2 decreased NO and increased HO-1 expression and CO and COHb content, downregulated HIF-1α, as well as WRS-elevated COX-2 and iNOS mRNAs. Gastroprotection by CORM-2 and HO depends upon CO’s hyperemic and anti-inflammatory properties, but is independent of NO

Effect of Dithiocarbamate Fungicide Mancozeb on Development, Reproduction and Ultrastructure of Fat Body of Agrotis segetum Moths

Sublethal effects of ethylene bis dithiocarbamate fungicide mancozeb on development and reproduction of turnip moth (Agrotis segetum) was investigated. Larvae were exposed to the fungicide in a diet. Exposure did not cause massive mortality of larvae. However, we observed various sublethal effects. Larval development was longer than in control, also mortality of pupae and time of pupation was altered; exposure to mancozeb affected fecundity, too. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that females had laid fewer eggs, and they showed various malformations, which might affect hatching success. These changes were also in tune with observations of the larval fat body ultrastructure (transmission electron microscopy). Fat body cells showed a range of malformations: envelopes of nuclei were invaginated and swallen. In cytoplasm, glycogen content was decreased, ER showed swelling and cytoplasm became more lucent. All these changes had been observed before the mortality of larvae was noticed. Therefore, we think that ultrastructural changes may be an important marker of stress caused by mancozeb in the environment