A probabilistic-deterministic approach for assessing climate change effects on infection risks downstream of sewage emissions from CSOs.

The discharge of pathogens into urban recreational water bodies during combined sewer overflows (CSOs) pose a potential threat for public health which may increase in the future due to climate change. Improved methods are needed for predicting the impact of these effects on the microbiological urban river water quality and infection risks during recreational use. The aim of this study was to develop a novel probabilistic-deterministic modelling approach for this purpose building on physically plausible generated future rainfall time series. The approach consists of disaggregation and validation of daily precipitation time series from 21 regional climate models for a reference period (1971-2000, C20), a near-term future period (2021-2050, NTF) and a long-term future period (2071-2100, LTF) into sub-daily scale, and predicting the concentrations of enterococci and Giardia and Cryptosporidium, and infection risks during recreational use in the river downstream of the sewage emissions from CSOs. The approach was tested for an urban river catchment in Austria which is used for recreational activities (i.e. swimming, playing, wading, hand-to-mouth contact). According to a worst-case scenario (i.e. children bathing in the river), the 95th percentile infection risks for Giardia and Cryptosporidium range from 0.08 % in winter to 8 % per person and exposure event in summer for C20. The infection risk increase in the future is up to 0.8 log10 for individual scenarios. The results imply that measures to prevent CSOs may be needed to ensure sustainable water safety. The approach is promising for predicting the effect of climate change on urban water safety requirements and for supporting the selection of sustainable mitigation measures. Future studies should focus on reducing the uncertainty of the predictions at local scale.

The Importance of hematological parameters in the prognosis of patients with severe COVID-19, A single-center retrospective study.

Background: Inflammation biomarkers known as acute phase reactants (APRs) show significant variations in serum concentrations during inflammation brought on by both viral and noninfectious diseases. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), the C-reactive protein (CRP), the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the ferritin, the fibrinogen, the procalcitonin, the D-dimer, and the troponin I are all significant APRs. During inflammation, the serum levels of each of these positive APRs rise. The sensitivity and specificity of hematologic parameters and indices are as high as the inflammatory biomarkers mentioned above for monitoring disease severity and treatment response. Aim: We aimed to evaluate the differences in hematological parameters and indices, and to reveal their treatment and prognostic values, especially in deceased patients with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: The hemogram parameters of 169 critical patients with COVID-19 (125 males and 44 females) who received inpatient treatment at ….between 1 March 2020 and 31 December 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups-deceased (77) and surviving (92)-noting demographic data such as age and gender. All analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0. Results: Analyses of the hematological parameters used during the treatment processes revealed statistically significant differences between the two patient groups. White blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) values were significantly higher (P = 0.019, P = 0.000 and P = 0.000, respectively) for deceased subjects, while lymphocyte, platelet and plateletcrit (PCT) values were significantly lower (for all values, P = 0.000). Platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW), as well as MPV/PLT, PDW/PLT, MPV/PCT, and PDW/PCT, levels were significantly higher in deceased subjects (P = 0.000). Particularly in our deceased cases, receiver operating characteristic analyses were performed to reveal the importance of such analyses in prognostic status evaluation in COVID-19 since the hematological parameters are quite different. Cut-off values were determined for each parameter, and sensitivity and specificity ratios were calculated. While the sensitivities of MPV/PLT, PDW/PLT, MPV/PCT, and PDW/PCT indices are over 80%, neutrophil and white blood cell sensitivities were found to be lower (74%, 68.8%, respectively). Conclusion: In addition to NLR, which is an important biomarker, the hematological indices MPV/PLT, PDW/PLT, MPV/PCT, and PDW/PCT can be used to determine the risk of death in patients with severe COVID-19.

Assessment of the relationship between monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio and subclavian artery stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) is a new tool for predicting inflammation, which plays a major role in atherosclerosis. Subclavian artery stenosis (SAS) is usually asymptomatic, and atherosclerosis is the most common cause of chronic obstruction of the subclavian artery in adults. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the MHR and SAS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2015 and January 2020, 43 patients with SAS and 43 patients without SAS were enrolled in the study. The patients' angiographic, demographic and clinic characteristics were reviewed from their medical records. Monocytes and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterols were measured through a complete blood count. The MHR was calculated as the ratio of the absolute monocyte count to the HDL cholesterol value. The resulting MHR values were divided into the following three groups: low (7.16 ± 1.59), moderate (11.08 ± 1.53) and high (21.70 ± 5.62). A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: MHR was found to be significantly higher in the SAS group compared to the control group with normal subclavian arteries (p<0.001). The frequency of SAS was found to increase with an increase in the MHR tertiles. Sensitivity and specificity values were 69.8% and 95.3%, respectively. The cut-off of the MHR value, taken as 13.39, was found to provide a significantly accurate prediction of the subclavian diagnosis (ROC area under the curve: 0.868, 95% CI: 0.789-0.947, p<0.001). After adjusting for other hematological parameters in the multivariate analysis, MHR (p=0.061) was found to be a predictor of the presence of SAS. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that MHR can be a convenient marker for predicting SAS because of the correlation between MHR and SAS.

Probabilistic fecal pollution source profiling and microbial source tracking for an urban river catchment.

We developed an innovative approach to estimate the occurrence and extent of fecal pollution sources for urban river catchments. The methodology consists of 1) catchment surveys complemented by literature data where needed for probabilistic estimates of daily produced fecal indicator (FIBs, E. coli, enterococci) and zoonotic reference pathogen numbers (Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium and Giardia) excreted by human and animal sources in a river catchment, 2) generating a hypothesis about the dominant sources of fecal pollution and selecting a source targeted monitoring design, and 3) verifying the results by comparing measured concentrations of the informed choice of parameters (i.e. chemical tracers, C. perfringensspores, and host-associated genetic microbial source tracking (MST) markers) in the river, and by multi-parametric correlation analysis. We tested the approach at a study area in Vienna, Austria. The daily produced microbial particle numbers according to the probabilistic estimates indicated that, for the dry weather scenario, the discharge of treated wastewater (WWTP) was the primary contributor to fecal pollution. For the wet weather scenario, 80-99 % of the daily produced FIBs and pathogens resulted from combined sewer overflows (CSOs) according to the probabilistic estimates. When testing our hypothesis in the river, the measured concentrations of the human genetic fecal marker were log10 4 higher than for selected animal genetic fecal markers. Our analyses showed for the first-time statistical relationships between C. perfringens spores (used as conservative microbial tracer for communal sewage) and a human genetic fecal marker (i.e. HF183/BacR287) with the reference pathogen Giardia in river water (Spearman rank correlation: 0.78-0.83, p < 0.05. The developed approach facilitates urban water safety management and provides a robust basis for microbial fate and transport models and microbial infection risk assessment.

Is thyroid-stimulating hormone a predictor of severity of carotid artery disease?

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between thyroid function and carotid artery stenosis in euthyroid patients is controversial. Therefore, we aimed at evaluating the relationship between the severity of carotid artery disease (CAD) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in euthyroid patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 90 euthyroid patients with CAD were trichotomized into three groups based on CAD severity. Group 1 comprised patients who had one internal carotid artery with total stenosis and the other with more than 50% stenosis. In Group 2, patients had one internal carotid artery with total stenosis and the other with less than 50% stenosis. Group 3 comprised patients with less than 50% stenosis in both internal carotid arteries. Demographic data, complete blood count, biochemical parameters, and thyroid function parameters were compared between the groups. RESULTS: No significant relationship was noted between the severity of CAD and demographic data and comorbidity rates. A comparison of the biochemical parameters revealed that TSH levels were significantly different between the groups. Post-hoc analysis showed that Group 1 and Group 3 differed significantly with respect to TSH levels (0.75 ± 0.37 IU/mL vs. 1.39 ± 1.00 IU/mL, p=0.002). A cut-off value of 0.65 yielded 46.67% sensitivity and 81.67% specificity, whereas a cut-off value of 0.70 yielded 53.33% sensitivity and 75.00% specificity. The area under the curve was 0.691 (95% CI, 0.576-0.806) (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: TSH can be demonstrated to predict severe carotid artery disease. Therefore, the severity of CAD can be assessed using TSH levels.

Thermoluminescence studies of calcite conducted by bacterial CaCO3 precipitation in organic soil.

In this study, the thermoluminescence (TL) properties of the calcite conducted by bacterial calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitation (BCCP) in organic soils were investigated. The bacterial calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitation (BCCP) is a popular technique and has been applied in a variety of civil and geotechnical engineering applications. For example, bacterial calcium carbonate precipitation fills the gaps on the organic ground and makes cementing it with the biological method using bacteria. The study reveals that the calcium carbonate mineral called as calcite has a clear TL glow curve with four main peaks located around 90, 140, 210 and 240 °C, a wide linear dose response region between 140Gy and 2.3 kGy is observed. In addition, a good reusability is seen in the high temperature peaks. The TL glow curve peaks are not affected by reusability. Although the dosimetric peaks at 210 and 240 °C appear to be nearly constant, the TL peak intensities at 90 °C and 140 °C completely faded after 24 and 336 h storage time, respectively. The activation energies (Ea) and frequency factors (s) for peaks at 90 °C, 140 °C, 210 °C and 240 °C were evaluated via variable heating rate (VHR). The activation energy of the peaks in the TL glow curve is lying between 0.57eV and 1.04 eV.

Should coronary catheter laboratories be used in the treatment of ischemic stroke? Endovascular treatment in acute ischemic stroke performed by interventional cardiologists.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the technical success and in-hospital outcomes of endovascular thrombectomy (ET) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients performed by interventional cardiologists. PATIENTS AND METHODS: ET for AIS provides fast, effective and safe recanalization. Insufficient number of catheter laboratories for stroke interventions and experienced interventional neurologists are limiting the widespread application of such a promising treatment method. RESULTS: 123 patients with AIS and eligible for ET were evaluated retrospectively. 65 patients were female (52.8%) and the mean age of the patients was 71.5 ± 11.9 years. Most of the patients had a middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion (112 patients, 91%). Successful recanalization (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction grading 2b or higher) was achieved in 109 patients (88.6%). Access site complication was observed only in 3 patients (2.4%). Intracranial bleeding was observed in 17 patients (13.8%) and only 8 of them were symptomatic (6.5%). In-hospital death occurred in 19 patients (15.4%). The initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was 16.8±3.3 (median 18) which improved significantly to 10.4±7.2 (median 11) at 24 hours (p<0.001). Dramatic neurologic improvement was observed in 60 of 123 patients (48.8%). The modified rankin score of the patients was significantly lower at discharge compared to admission (4.2±0.7 vs. 2.9±2, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: ET in AIS can be performed safely with high success rates by trained interventional cardiologists within the stroke team. Until the number of stroke centers is sufficient, endovascular treatment of AIS can be supported by experienced interventional cardiologists.

Long-term vitamin-K antagonist use and coronary artery calcification.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy on coronary artery calcification (CAC) by comparing long-term VKA users with metallic prosthetic valves (MPVs) and VKA-free patients undergoing coronary calcium scoring for cardiovascular (CV) risk stratification. METHODS: A total of 108 patients (43 VKA users with MPV and 65 gender-, age-, and risk-factor-matched VKA-free patients) were included in the study. CAC was determined via computed tomography (CT) and quantified on the basis of the Agatston score. The VKA group comprised patients who had an MPV for longer than 5 years, which entailed long-term VKA use. RESULTS: Long-term VKA users had more calcified coronary arteries compared with the control group (178.1 ± 278 vs. 61.1 ± 130.6, p = 0.01). There was no difference between groups in terms of traditional CV risk factors. The mean duration of VKA use was 15 ± 7 years for the patients with MPV. There was no correlation between the duration of VKA use and mean Agatston score (r = 0.2, p = 0.215). CONCLUSION: With its unique selection of patient groups, our study extends the findings of previous research that long-term VKA use is related to CAC as detected via CT scanning. The longer and more potent VKA regimen required for MPV patients is the primary cause of CAC in this group.

UV/vis spectrophotometric determination of slow equilibrated N(1)-H missing deprotonation constant of a pyrimidine and thiopyrimidine: The final situation of the four pKa values.

The missing acidity constant of recently synthesized 5-benzoyl-1-(methylphenylmethyleneamino)-4-phenyl-1H-pyrimidine-2-one (I) and 5-benzoyl-1-(methylphenylmethyleneamino)-4-phenyl-1H-pyrimidine-2-thione (II) are investigated as a function of time at pH values from 1.0 to 3.20 for I and from 1.0 to 4.06 for II using UV/vis spectroscopic analysis of their aged solutions, at a temperature of 25 ±â€¯0.1 °C. In this study, a novel time-dependent isosbestic point method was developed to confirm the presence of any weak acid - base equilibrium and the detection of related equilibration time. The missing acidity constants for each of I and II were determined in 5.0% v/v aqueous methanol. Plausible acid base equilibrium mechanism for the missing acidity constant was presented for each of the compounds based on the extensive experimental UV/vis data. In this context, all the acid base equilibria for each of the regarding compounds were completely revised through different pH values.

Simultaneous analysis of Pb2+ and Cd2+ at graphene/bismuth nanocomposite film-modified pencil graphite electrode using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry.

A graphene/bismuth nanocomposite film-modified pencil graphite electrode was quickly prepared for the simultaneous analysis of cadmium and lead heavy metal ions by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry. The pencil graphite electrode's surface was directly modified from graphite to graphene with cyclic voltammetry method in a single step by performing potential cycling between - 0.9 and - 1.4 V in 0.2 mol L-1 NaOH modifying solution. A linear relationship between peak current and concentration was obtained in the range between 5-100 µg L-1 for both Cd2+ and Pb2+, with detection limits of 0.12 µg L-1 for Cd2+ and 0.29 µg L-1 for Pb2+. The developed electrode with the proposed method has been applied to a Canadian-certified reference water sample and tap water sample with reliable results. For tap water sample, the obtained results were in a good agreement with the results provided by AAS. Graphical abstract.

Insufficient decontamination in Sewage treatment plants induce the risk of artificial selection of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase producing Escherichia coli.

Quantitative data about extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing E. coli (ESBLEC) in the wastewaters are scarce, especially in developing countries. These data could be useful to raise awareness about the potential risk of spreading ESBLEC strains in the community. Water samples were collected weekly over a 10-week period, from one urban sewage treatment plant (STP), one rural STP and one hospital complex's wastewater (HWW) in Turkey. Mean E. coli and ESBLEC loads were determined for each sampling point. For the 580 ESBLEC isolated, antimicrobial resistance profiles, phylogenetic grouping, presence of common beta-lactamese-typesand integrons were studied using PCR. The mean ESBLEC ratio was accounted for 0.58%, 0,12%, 1.53% of the total E. coli in urban, rural untreated wastewater and HWW, respectively. These values were higher for the outlets. The mean number of different antimicrobial classes to which the strains were resistant was highest in urban STP (4.0± 1.6). The antimicrobial resistance ratios of ESBLEC strains isolated from HWW were observed to be in between those of urban and rural STPs. The most common phylogenetic group was C composing (29.7%) and the most susceptible strains belonged to phylogroup B1. Wastewater treatments without sufficient decontamination, resulting in artificial selection of ESBLEC might lead to public health risk as these strains reach communities through environment. To avoid such risks and protect the human health as well as the environment, well-established decontamination measures imposing barriers against this artificial selection should be implemented.

Comparison of thiol/disulphide homeostasis parameters in patients with COPD, asthma and ACOS.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) are obstructive pulmonary disorders with different manifestations. Status of oxidation in tissues is important in obstructive pulmonary disorders. Smoking, acute exacerbations of COPD and asthma were associated with a marked imbalance in oxidant or antioxidant status due to increased oxidative stress in tissues and blood. Oxidative conditions may cause a reversible formation of mixed disulphides among protein thiol groups. The aim of this study was to compare parameters related with thiol/disulphide homeostasis in patients with COPD, asthma and ACOS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients (n= 135, 69 females, 66 males) who were referred with a diagnosis of COPD, asthma or ACOS were included in the study. Thiol/ disulphide homeostasis parameters in blood were analysed by a newly established method that measures the exact thiol/ disulphide status in the body. RESULTS: The patients with COPD, asthma or ACOS were similar for demographic parameters other than age and number of cigarettes smoked. Measured thiol/disulphide homeostasis parameters were similar among these patient groups. When these biochemical measurements were adjusted for age and number of cigarettes by using regression analysis, similarity for thiol/disulphide homeostasis parameters among patient groups persisted. CONCLUSIONS: To best of our knowledge, this is the first study to compare thiol/disulphide homeostasis parameters in COPD, asthma and ACOS patients. Similarity of thiol/disulphide homeostasis parameters among these patient groups supports the current view of Dutch hypothesis that COPD, asthma and ACOS share similar pathophysiological features but display different clinical manifestations.

Late-Onset BK Viruria in Renal Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: Most cases of BK virus (BKV) infections emerge within the 1st years of kidney transplantation. We aimed to determine the prevalence of late-onset BKV infection and whether there are any differences between risk factors in early and late BKV infections. METHODS: In this single-center retrospective study, we reviewed 300 kidney transplant recipients that were under regular follow-up and selected recipients with BKV infection and recorded associated risk factors, connection with immunosuppression, and responses to modification of treatment. RESULTS: BKV was detected within the 1st 5 years after transplantation in 20 patients (6.6%, group 1) and after 5 years in 15 patients (5.0%, group 2). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups regarding age, sex, sex mismatches, donor type, BKV elimination time, serum creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate at the times of BKV detection and last follow-up visit. In group 1, 2 recipients had biopsy-proven BKV-associated nephropathy (BKVAN), 3 recipients had BK viruria and viremia without BKVAN (biopsy proven), and 15 recipients (75%) had only BK viruria. In group 2, all of the patients had only BK viruria. In this group, on detection of BK viruria and immediate modification of immunosuppressive regimens prevented BK viremia. CONCLUSIONS: Routine screening of renal transplant recipients for BKV was indicated not only during the 1st 5 years, but also for the full follow-up period after transplantation.

Diastolic dysfunction and contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

OBJECTIVES: It has been demonstrated that decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is associated with an increased risk of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). In this study, we aimed to assess whether there is a relationship between left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction and renal function decline after coronary angiography (CAG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study consisted of two groups: group I, patients with normal diastolic function; group II, patients with cardiac symptoms and abnormal diastolic function. Serum creatinine (Crea) and glomerular filtration rates (GFR) were measured before and after 48 h of CAG. RESULTS: After the procedure, serum Crea values were higher in group II compared with group I (p = 0.051). Postprocedural 48-h GFR values determined by Cockcroft-Gault and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equations were lower in group II compared with group I (p = 0.016 and p = 0.003, respectively). Delta (Δ) ΔCrea and ΔGFR determined by the Cockcroft-Gault and MDRD equations were statistically higher in group II than in group I (p = 0.005, p = 0.052, p = 0.030). The presence of higher age (p = 0.025), E/E' lateral ratio (p = 0.030), and left atrial volume index (p = 0.05) were independent predictors of worsening renal function. CONCLUSION: The presence of diastolic dysfunction may play a role in determining the risk of CIN in patients with normal LVEF.

Electronic absorption study on hydration, solvation behavior for some keto and thioketo pyrimidine derivatives.

In this study, the hydration and solvation properties of recently synthesized 5-benzoyl-1-(methylphenylmethyleneamino)-4-phenyl-1H-pyrimidine-2-one, (I) and 5-benzoyl-1-(methylphenylmethyleneamino)-4-phenyl-1H-pyrimidine-2-thione, (II), were studied with respect to pH and time by using UV-vis spectroscopy method in aqueous (95.0% v/v water) and methanol (95.0% v/v methanol) media. The roles of the keto oxygen of I and the thioketo sulfur of II on the hydration and solvation behavior were discussed. The experiments were performed at 25 °C and at pH values between 1.0 and 13.0. Compound I was found to undergo hydration best in strongly acidic solutions. However, compound II was found to undergo solvation best in basic solutions. The preferred hydration and solvation mechanisms were discussed based on UV-vis data and the related mechanisms undergoing in strongly acidic and basic regions were proposed for the each compound.

Asthma in obese women: outcomes and factors involved.

OBJECTIVE: It has been shown that the prevalence of asthma in obese people has increased in recent years. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors involved in the relationship between asthma and obesity in women, METHODS: We evaluated serum leptin levels, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FE(N0), asthma control (using theAsthma Control Test [ACT]), and presence of atopy in 41 obese women with asthma and 40 non-obese women with asthma. We also compared the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and these parameters between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Serum leptin levels were significantly higher in obese asthmatics than in nonobese asthmatics (P < .05). In the obese group, leptin levels were positively correlated with FE(O) levels (r = 0.439, P = .004). Uncontrolled asthma (ACT score <20) was detected in 61% of women in the obese group compared to just 38% of those in the nonobese group (P = -.035). In atopic patients, total immunoglobulin E levels were positively correlated with leptin levels (r = 0.329, P = .038). When the 81 women were classified according to asthma control, high BMI was found to be the only significant factor that contributed to poor asthma control. CONCLUSION: We have shown that serum leptin levels might have a role in poor asthma control in obese patients, and can conclude that obesity is an important factor in uncontrolled asthma.

Identification of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus in Lakes District: A Major Beet Growing Area in Turkey.

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV) causal agent of rhizomania, in sugar beet cultivation areas in the Lakes District of Turkey, in 2006-2007. During surveys BNYVV suspected leaf, root, and soil samples were collected. Total of 203 soil samples were collected from different locations in the region. Sugar beet cultivar Kasandra plants were grown in these soil samples using bait plant techniques. In order to detect the structures of the vector protozoa Polymyxa betae Keskin in the root tissue of the bait plants, roots were stained with lactofuchsin and examined for the fungal cystosori under a light microscope. Presence of BNYVV was investigated using Double antibody sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA). ELISA test results showed that 85 samples were infected with BNYVV (41.87%). ELISA-positive samples for BNYVV were used in the mechanical inoculation studies. Test plants produced typical BNYVV symptoms. Fifty ELISA negative samples when tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), BNYVV could be detected in 50% of these samples. The present study provides evidence for occurrence of BNYVV in a major beet growing area in Turkey based on biological, serological and molecular detection of the virus. RT-PCR method was found more suitable and sensitive than DAS-ELISA for the detection of BNYVV.

Electronic absorption study on acid-base equilibria for some pyrimidine derivatives containing semi- and thiosemicarbazone moiety.

The UV-vis spectra of recently synthesized 5-benzoyl-1-(methylphenylmethyleneamino)-4-phenyl-1H-pyrimidine-2-one, (I), and 5-benzoyl-1-(methylphenylmethyleneamino)-4-phenyl-1H-pyrimidine-2-thione, (II) were studied in aqueous methanol (5%, v/v methanol). The nature of the electronic transitions and the roles of carbonyl oxygen of I and thiocarbonyl sulfur of II on the behavior of UV-vis spectra were discussed. Acid-base equilibria of the compounds against varying pH and pK(a) values related equilibria were determined at an ionic strength of 0.10 M by using the Henderson-Haselbalch equation. The mean acidity constants for the protonated forms of the compounds were determined as pK(a1)=5.121, pK(a2)=7.929 and pK(a3)=11.130 for I and pK(a1)=4.684, pK(a2)=7.245 and pK(a3)=10.630 for II. The preferred dissociation mechanisms were discussed based on UV-vis data and a mechanism was proposed for each compound.

Induction of phenolic compounds and pathogenesis-related proteins by mycorrhizal fungal inoculations against Phytophthora capsici Leonian in pepper.

In this study, the effects ofmycorrhizal fungal inoculations of Glomus mosseae, G. etunicatum, G. fasciculatus and Gigaspora margarita species on phenolic compounds and pathogenesis related proteins were investigated in pepper - Phytophthora capsici plant pathosystem. Root colonization by mycorrhizal fungi increased after 15, 25 and 45 days after inoculation depending on the root developmental stage. G. mossea and G. fasciculatus reached the highest root colonization level. In addition, arbuscule formation, spores inside or outside the root cells were observed after 25 and 45 days, respectively. The disease development of pepper plants was decreased depending on the mycorrhizal fungi colonization compared to the pathogen inoculated plants. Total phenolic compounds increased in all treatments as compared to non mycorrized non pathogen treated control, but was highest when plants were inoculated with both, the mycorrhizal fungi and the pathogen. Overall, 12 different phenolic compounds were identified using thin layer chromatography according to Rf. In general, there was an increased in the activity of beta-1.3-glucanases and chitinases after 3, 6 and 9 days as compared to control in stem extracts ofmycorrhizal fungi and or P. capsici treatments. The enzyme activities were higher 6 days after inoculation, but decreased 3 days later in all treatments. In conclusion, increasing activity of phenolic compounds and enzymes were observed depending on simultaneous inoculations with mycorrhizal fungi and pathogen, that could be involved in disease resistance.