Thrombin immobilization to Poly(Methacrylicacid) graft polymerized PET and PAN fabrics

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(acrylonitrile) fabrics are the most produced synthetic fabrics in the world. Their production and usage increase at medical textile. There is no functional group in their structure for enzyme immobilization. Hence, they are not inclined to react. However, functional groups could be added to their structure using graft polymerization. In this study, methacrylic acid was graft polymerized to poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(acylonitrile) fabrics. Characterization of modified fabrics was carried out and thrombin was immobilized to poly(methacrylic acid) graft polymerized poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(acylonitrile) fabrics using 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimetylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide. Optimization studies were also performed for the immobilization of thrombin. Thrombin immobilized poly(methacrylic acid) graft polymerized poly(ethylene terephtalate) and poly(acrylonitrile) fabrics were reduced recalcification time 30 % and 25 %, respectively. It is the first time, an enzyme was immobilized to fabric and its in vitro applications were performed. Thrombin has not been immobilized to synthetic fabric, yet.     

Resistance to chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin along with detoxifying enzyme activities in field-collected female populations of European red mite

The levels of susceptibility of populations of the European red mite Panonychus ulmi (Koch) (Acarina: Tetranychidae) collected from apple orchards in the Bursa region of Turkey to the insecticides chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin, were determined by a petri leaf disk—Potter spray tower method. When compared with the susceptible population, resistance ratios at the LC₅₀ level ranged from 6.0- to 35.6-fold, and from 0.7- to 5.7-fold for chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin, respectively. Kinetic parameters of general esterase activity with α-naphthyl acetate as substrate indicated that an increased activity was present in the resistant populations compared with the susceptible populations. In these strains, 1.5- and 2.2-fold higher Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity was also detected with the substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. General esterase activity gel profiles of these populations were studied by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, but no relationship between resistance ratios and band patterns was detected. The results of this study document a decreased efficacy of chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin in field populations of P. ulmi in Turkey, possibly linked to altered activities of esterases and GST.     

Functional response of the coccinellid predator <Emphasis Type="Italic">Adalia fasciatopunctata revelierei</Emphasis> to walnut aphid (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Callaphis juglandis</Emphasis>)

The functional response types and parameters of 3rd and 4th instar larvae, and adult females and males of a coccinellid predator, Adalia fasciatopunctata revelierei (Mulsant) (Col.: Coccinellidae), were evaluated at five different densities of Callaphis juglandis (Goeze) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in order to understand their role for the aphid’s biological control. Experiments were carried out in petri dishes at 25 ± 1°C, 60 ± 10% r.h. and 16L:8D photoperiod in a controlled temperature room. All tested stages exhibited a Type II response determined by a logistic regression model. The attack rate (α) and handling time (T _h ) coefficients of a Type II response were estimated by fitting a “random-predator” equation to the data. Although the estimates of α for all stages of A. fasciatopunctata revelierei tested were similar, the longest T _h was obtained for 3rd instar larva because of the lower consumption rate at densities above 40 prey/day. Results indicated that the adult female has the highest predation of C. juglandis followed by 4th instar larvae, adult males and 3rd instar larvae. However, further field-based studies are needed to draw firm conclusions.     

Mechanical transmission of a strain of tulip breaking virus fromlilium longiflorum to chenopodium spp

A virus, mechanically transmitted fromLilium longiflorum toChenopodium spp., was identified in morphological, serological and ultrastructural studies as tulip breaking virus (TBV). Data presented indicate that the isolate differs from other TBV strains in host range and ultrastructural pathology.     

DNA double-strand breaks trigger genome-wide sister-chromatid cohesion through Eco1 (Ctf7)

Faithful chromosome segregation and repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) require cohesin, the protein complex that mediates sister-chromatid cohesion. Cohesion between sister chromatids is thought to be generated only during ongoing DNA replication by an obligate coupling between cohesion establishment factors such as Eco1 (Ctf7) and the replisome. Using budding yeast, we challenge this model by showing that cohesion is generated by an Eco1-dependent but replication-independent mechanism in response to DSBs in G(2)/M. Furthermore, our studies reveal that Eco1 has two functions: a cohesive activity and a conserved acetyltransferase activity, which triggers the generation of cohesion in response to the DSB and the DNA damage checkpoint. Finally, the DSB-induced cohesion is not limited to broken chromosomes but occurs also on unbroken chromosomes, suggesting that the DNA damage checkpoint through Eco1 provides genome-wide protection of chromosome integrity.     

C1 inhibitor: evidence for decreased hepatic synthesis in hereditary angioneurotic edema

Although the Cl inhibitor was detected in 5 to 10 percent of normal hepatic parenchymal cells by means of the immunofluorescent technique, none was seen in liver biopsies from two individuals with hereditary angioneurotic edema having low concentrations of Cl inhibitor in the serum. In contrast, the percentages of cells which reacted with fluorescent antiserums to C4 and transferrin were normal. These data suggest that in most subjects with hereditary angioneurotic edema, there is decreased synthesis of the C1 inhibitor but normal synthesis of C4, and that the disease results from this biosynthetic error.