Phylogenetic relationship of Turkish Apis mellifera subspecies based on sequencing of mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase I region.

Mitochondrial DNA sequence variation can be used to infer honey bee evolutionary relationships. We examined DNA sequence diversity in the cytochrome C oxidase I (COI or Cox1) gene segment of the mitochondrial genome in 112 samples of Apis mellifera from 15 different populations in Turkey. Six novel haplotypes were found for the COI gene segment. There were eight variable sites in the COI gene, although only three were parsimony-informative sites. The mean pairwise genetic distance was 0.3% for the COI gene segment. Neighbor-joining (NJ) trees of the COI gene segment were constructed with the published sequences of A. mellifera haplotypes that are available in GenBank; the genetic variation was compared among the different honeybee haplotypes. The NJ dendogram based on the COI sequences available in GenBank showed that Eastern European races were clustered together, whereas the Mellifera and Iberian haplotypes were clustered far apart. The haplotypes found in this study were clustered together with A. mellifera ligustica and some of the Greek honey bees (accession Nos. GU056169 and GU056170) found in NCBI GenBank database. This study expands the knowledge about the mitochondrial COI region and presents the first comprehensive sequence analysis of this region in Turkish honeybees.

MHC class II+ (HLA-DP-like) cells in the cow reproductive tract: II. Immunolocalization of MHC class II+ cells in oviduct and vagina.

The aim of this study was to determine and examine the distribution of major frequency MHC II+ cells in the oviduct and vagina of cows during the oestrous and dioestrus phases. Right oviduct (ampulla, isthmus) and vaginal samples taken from a total of twenty seven multiparous cows were used. Tissue samples were processed to obtain both cryostat and paraffin sections. Sections were stained immunocytochemically using StreptABC method using a specific monoclonal antibody to MHC II+ cell population. Intra-epithelial and subepithelial areas along with lamina propria, muscularis mucosae and serosa of both ampulla and isthmus and intra-epithelial/subepithelial areas and mucosae of vagina were examined for the presence of MHC II+ cells. The density of immune positive cells was determined using a subjective scoring system. MHC II+ cells were demonstrated in all areas examined in both oestrus and dioestrus. In oestrus, the density of MHC II+ cells decreased in subepithelial areas (in between the epithelial cells and the basal membrane) of isthmus, whereas the density of immune positive cells was increased in muscularis mucosae of isthmus (P < 0.05), lamina propria and muscularis mucosae of ampulla (P < 0.05) as well as in the mucosae of vagina (P

The novel ischemia marker 'ischemia-modified albumin' is increased in normal pregnancies.

The aim of this prospective case-control study was to determine the change in serum maternal ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) during normal pregnancies. A total of 117 pregnant (first trimester (n=24), second trimester (n=34), and third trimester (n=35)) and non-pregnant healthy women (n=23) were included. Maternal serum IMA, Malondialdehyde (MDA), and albumin levels were measured. Compared with non-pregnant women, the cross-sectional mean IMA levels in pregnant women were significantly increased, while the mean serum MDA and albumin levels were significantly decreased throughout pregnancy. Furthermore, a significant negative correlation between serum IMA and albumin levels (r=-0.354, p<0.001) was found, and there was a weak positive correlation between serum albumin and MDA levels (r=0.334, p<0.001). Serum IMA, which has recently been developed as a clinical marker of ongoing myocardial ischemia, appears to be elevated in normal pregnancy. This may be due to the physiologic oxidative stress state of pregnancy.

Investigation of T cell receptors in the peripheral blood of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis.

T cells have the capability of recognizing target cells through their T cell receptors (TCRs). Thus, the percentages of CD3+/gamma-delta (gammadelta) TCR+ and CD3+/alpha-beta (alphabeta) TCR+ T lymphocytes were investigated in active and inactive pulmonary tuberculosis (PT) patients and in healthy individuals. CD3+ and CD3+/alphabeta TCR+ cell percentages were significantly lower in all PT patients than in healthy subjects. Percentages of CD3+/gammadelta and CD3+/alphabeta TCR+ were not statistically different between active and inactive PT patients. It was concluded that alphabeta TCR+ T cells might have a protective role in tuberculosis infection.

Pulmonary myxoma in a sheep.

Pulmonary myxoma is an uncommon neoplasm. A pale tan, lobulated, and well-circumscribed mass was discovered at slaughter in the left lung of a 5-year-old sheep. Histologically, the tumor was composed of spindloid to stellate cells in a myxoid matrix. Neoplastic cells were immunohistochemically positive for vimentin but did not express cytokeratins, S-100 protein, smooth muscle actin, desmin, or p53. On the basis of the histologic and immunohistochemical findings, this tumor was diagnosed as a myxoma.

Immunohistochemical detection of Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica antigens in goats with natural pneumonia.

Pneumonia is a leading cause of loss to ruminants throughout the world. Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica is one of the most important etiological agent of pneumonia in cattle, sheep, and goats. This study was carried out to determine the incidence of M.haemolytica antigens using immunohistochemistry labelling of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues in pneumonic lungs of goats slaughtered at abattoir, and then to compare these immunohistochemistry results with the results of bacterial isolation. For these objectives, a total of 1505 goat lungs slaughtered in slaughterhouse were grossly examined and pneumonia was detected in 74 cases (4.91%). Of these, with the exception of verminous pneumonia observed in 32 cases, on 42 pneumonic lungs immunohistochemical examinations were performed. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded lung tissue samples were immunohistochemically stained by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) procedure using polyclonal antibodies to detect M.haemolytica antigens. Pneumonic lesions were more frequently encountered in cranioventral lobes than caudal lobes, and characterized by irregular lobular foci of atelectasis or lobar pneumonia. The presence of M.haemolytica antigens was detected in 19 (45%) out of 42 pneumonic lungs. Bacterial antigens were found most frequently in the cytoplasm of bronchial and bronchiolar epithelial cells, in the swirling degenerating leukocytes in the alveoli, and in the degenerating leukocytes in the area of coagulation necrosis, less frequently in the epithelial cells of bronchial glands, and lymphoid cells. Conclusionly, immunohistochemical detection of M.haemolytica antigens in pneumonic lungs appear to be more reliable compared to bacterial isolation.

Cervical leiomyoma in a dairy cow during pregnancy.

In the present report we describe a case of cervical leiomyoma that was diagnosed at parturition in a Holstein cow. The tumor mass, which measured 25.5 cm x 21.5 cm x 14.5 cm in size and weighed 4.5 kg, was removed surgically. The tumor was solid, well circumscribed, whitish-pink colored, and encapsulated. The tumor was diagnosed as leiomyoma. The leiomyoma had no adverse effects on pregnancy. This is the first report of a bovine cervical leiomyoma during parturition.

Ventricular ependymoma in a German Shepherd dog.

Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) together with clinical, pathomorphological and immunohistological methods, a ependymoma is described in a 9-year-old German Shepherd dog, which presented with behavioural and oculocephalic responses and generalised ataxia. The ependymoma, 9 x 6 x 5mm in size, was localised intra-axially in the right interventricular foramen and hydrocephalus was observed by MRI. Microscopically, the tumour was composed of pseudorosettes, and immunohistochemical examination revealed vimentin and glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity in the neoplastic cells.

Immunohistochemical detection of parainfluenza type 3 virus antigens in paraffin sections of pneumonic caprine lungs.

Pneumonia is a leading cause of loss to ruminants throughout the world. Parainfluenza type-3 virus (PI-3) is one of the most important respiratory pathogens of bovine and ovine. In this study, prevalence of PI-3 virus infection as causative agent of pneumonia in goats was investigated. For this purpose, a total of 1505 goat lungs slaughtered in Bitlis and Van slaughterhouses were grossly examined and pneumonia was detected in 74 cases (4.91%). Lesions were more frequently encountered in anteroventral lobes than caudal lobes. With the exception of verminous pneumonia observed in 32 cases, immunohistochemical examinations were performed on 42 pneumonic lungs. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded lung tissue samples were immunohistochemically stained by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex procedure using polyclonal antibodies to detect PI-3 viral antigens. The presence of PI-3 viral antigens was detected in 28 (66.6%) of 42 pneumonic lungs. Viral antigens were found most frequently in the cytoplasm of bronchiolar epithelial cells, type II pneumocytes, and less frequently in the epithelial cells of bronchial glands, syncytial cells, alveolar macrophages, and lymphocytes and plasma cells. In conclusion, it was found that there was a close relationship between the pneumonia in goats and the presence of PI-3 viral antigens. Incidence of PI-3 virus in pneumonic lungs of goats was detected to be very high in the present study performed in the region of Bitlis and Van, Turkey.

Immunological follow-up of hydatid cyst cases.

Hydatid disease is caused by Echinococcus granulosus. In this study, we aimed to investigate the benefit of monitoring cases with hydatid cyst by means of immune components in patients in a long-term follow-up after surgery. Eighty-four preoperative and postoperative serum samples from 14 cases undergoing surgery for hydatid disease were evaluated in terms of immune parameters, such as total and specific IgE, IgG, IgM, IgA and complement. Total and specific IgE were determined by ELISA. Specific IgG levels were measured by indirect hemagglutination. Total IgG, IgM, IgA and complement (C3 and C4) were detected by nephelometry. Imaging studies were also carried out during the follow-up. In none of the patients hydatid cysts were detected during the follow-up. Total IgE levels in the sera of the patients decreased to normal six months after surgery. Although specific IgE against echinococcal antigens decreased one year after operation, levels were still significantly high. There were no changes in the levels of anti-Echinococcus IgG and total IgG in follow-up period. Additionally, other parameters, such as IgA, IgM, C3 and C4, were not affected.

Tuneable electrochemical interactions between polystyrenes with anthracenyl and tetrathiafulvalenyl sidechains.

Polymer 4 and its monomeric counterpart 3 exhibit electrochemically tuneable interactions with anthracene polymer 2 and a structurally similar monomer 1 and seen by the variation of the oxidation waves of TTF groups and the fluorescence of the anthracene.

Self-assembly of nanoparticles into structured spherical and network aggregates

Multi-scale ordering of materials is central for the application of molecular systems in macroscopic devices. Self-assembly based on selective control of non-covalent interactions provides a powerful tool for the creation of structured systems at a molecular level, and application of this methodology to macromolecular systems provides a means for extending such structures to macroscopic length scale. Monolayer-functionalized nanoparticles can be made with a wide variety of metallic and non-metallic cores, providing a versatile building block for such approaches. Here we present a polymer-mediated 'bricks and mortar' strategy for the ordering of nanoparticles into structured assemblies. This methodology allows monolayer-protected gold particles to self-assemble into structured aggregates while thermally controlling their size and morphology. Using 2-nm gold particles as building blocks, we show that spherical aggregates of size 97 +/- 17 nm can be produced at 23 degrees C, and that 0.5-1 microm spherical assemblies with (5-40) x 10(5) individual subunits form at -20 degrees C. Intriguingly, extended networks of approximately 50-nm subunits are formed at 10 degrees C, illustrating the potential of our approach for the formation of diverse structural motifs such as wires and rods. These findings demonstrate that the assembly process provides control over the resulting aggregates, while the modularity of the 'bricks and mortar' approach allows combinatorial control over the constituents, providing a versatile route to new materials systems.

The prevalence of pediculus humanus capitis among the students of a secondary and three elementary schools in Karsiyaka-Izmir, Turkey.

During November-December 1993, 5347 students of a secondary and 3 elementary schools in Bostanli-Karsiyaka, where socio-economic and cultural status are relatively high, were examined for pediculosis capitis. In 225 students (4.2%) eggs and/or adults were detected. 181 (4.14%) out of 4365 elementary school students and 44 (4.48%) out of 982 secondary school students were infested with Pediculus humanus capitis. Comparison with results of previous results are shown in the text.

A comparative study on the efficacy of 0.4% Sumithrine and 1% Lindane in the treatment of Pediculus humanus capitis in Turkey.

Two different chemicals were used in the treatment of Pediculus h. capitis in cases, who were found to be infested during the screening of 1 secondary and 3 elementary schools in Bostanli-Karsiyaka, Izmir. Sumithrine was found to be more effective than Lindane according to the follow up control performed a month after the treatment. While the efficacy of Sumithrine in Emlakbank elementary school, Metin Asikoglu elementary school and Emlakbank secondary school was noted as 93%, 96% and 86.8% respectively. The efficacy of Lindane was found to be 67.5% in Murside Akyuz elementary school.