Replication of bovine respiratory syncytial virus in bovine and ovine peripheral blood lymphocytes and monocytes and monocytic cell lines

The present study compared the replication of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) in bovine and ovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells, ovine and bovine monocytic cell lines and ovine alveolar macrophages. Low titres of virus were detected in ovine and bovine lymphocytes and monocytes 24-96 h post-exposure to the virus but there was no apparent replication of the virus in ovine alveolar macrophages during the culture period. The virus replicated to higher but statistically insignificant titres in ovine and bovine peripheral blood monocytes than in lymphocytes, with lymphocytes yielding peak titres significantly earlier. The secondary cell lines obtained from ovine liver and bone marrow also supported the replication of BRSV to high titres. The titres of BRSV in ovine and bovine lymphocytes and monocytes were significantly lower than in secondary cell lines. The addition of human recombinant tumour necrosis factor alpha after exposure to the virus or pre-incubation of ovine or bovine monocytic cells with either human recombinant interleukin 2 or phorbol myristate acetate before exposure to BRSV, did not significantly affect virus titre. Pre-incubation of cells with indomethacin or actinomycin significantly lowered virus titre (p < 0.05).     

Antifungal Activity of Olive Oil and Ozonated Olive Oil Against Candida Spp. and Saprochaete Spp.

Ozonated olive oil was investigated for their capacity to inhibit growth of 38 yeast strains of Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, and Saprochaete capitata. Two different ozonated olive oil (OZO1, OZO2) and two different olive oil (OL1, OL2) samples having different biochemical parameters were assessed in terms of their antifungal ability and comparison was made. Fluconazole was chosen as control antifungal agent. Each sample’s antifungal activity decreased in the following order: OZO1 > OZO2 > OL1 ≥ OL2. This study demonstrated that ozonated olive oil may help to control some fluconazole-resistant and dose-dependent sensitive fungal strains.     

Mesophilic and thermophilic anaerobic digestion of primary and secondary sludge. Effect of pre-treatment at elevated temperature

Anaerobic digestion is an appropriate technique for the treatment of sludge before final disposal and it is employed worldwide as the oldest and most important process for sludge stabilization. In general, mesophilic anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge is more widely used compared to thermophilic digestion. Furthermore, thermal pre-treatment is suitable for the improvement of stabilization, enhancement of dewatering of the sludge, reduction of the numbers of pathogens and could be realized at relatively low cost especially at low temperatures. The present study investigates (a) the differences between mesophilic and thermophilic anaerobic digestion of sludge and (b) the effect of the pre-treatment at 70 degrees C on mesophilic and thermophilic anaerobic digestion of primary and secondary sludge. The pre-treatment step showed very positive effect on the methane potential and production rate upon subsequent thermophilic digestion of primary sludge. The methane production rate was mostly influenced by the pre-treatment of secondary sludge followed by mesophilic and thermophilic digestion whereas the methane potential only was positively influenced when mesophilic digestion followed. Our results suggest that the selection of the pre-treatment duration as well as the temperature of the subsequent anaerobic step for sludge stabilization should depend on the ratio of primary to secondary sludge.     

AXL Knock-Out in SNU475 Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Provides Evidence for Lethal Effect Associated with G2 Arrest and Polyploidization

AXL, a member of the TAM family, is a promising therapeutic target due to its elevated expression in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), particularly in association with acquired drug resistance. Previously, RNA interference was used to study its role in cancer, and several phenotypic changes, including attenuated cell proliferation and decreased migration and invasion, have been reported. The mechanism of action of AXL in HCC is elusive. We first studied the AXL expression in HCC cell lines by real-time PCR and western blot and showed its stringent association with a mesenchymal phenotype. We then explored the role of AXL in mesenchymal SNU475 cells by CRISPR-Cas9 mediated gene knock-out. AXL-depleted HCC cells displayed drastic phenotypic changes, including increased DNA damage response, prolongation of doubling time, G2 arrest, and polyploidization in vitro and loss of tumorigenicity in vivo. Pharmacological inhibition of AXL by R428 recapitulated G2 arrest and polyploidy phenotype. These observations strongly suggest that acute loss of AXL in some mesenchymal HCC cells is lethal and points out that its inhibition may represent a druggable vulnerability in AXL-high HCC patients.     

Strength and shrinkage properties of mortar containing a nonstandard high-calcium fly ash

A laboratory study was undertaken to assess the compressive and flexural tensile strength and drying shrinkage properties of mortar mixtures containing high-calcium nonstandard Afsin-Elbistan fly ash (FA). Possibility of using Afsin-Elbistan FA in cement-based materials as shrinkage-reducing or compensation agent was also discussed. Five mortar mixtures including control Portland cement (PC) and FA mortar mixtures were prepared. FA replaced the cement on mass basis at the replacement ratios of 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%. Water-cementitious materials ratio was 0.4 for all mixtures. The mixtures were cured at 65% relative humidity and 20±2 °C. The compressive and flexural tensile strength and drying shrinkage values of the mortar mixtures were measured. The results show that Afsin-Elbistan FA reduced drying shrinkage of the mortar by 40%. Therefore, it was concluded that Afsin-Elbistan FA can be used as a shrinkage-reducing agent. The mortar containing 40% FA expanded. This indicates that Afsin-Elbistan FA may be utilized to compensate drying shrinkage of cement-based materials.     

Laser Cutting of Kevlar and Mild Steel Composite Structure: End Product Quality Assessment

In the present study laser cutting of composite structure, consisting of Kevlar laminate at the top and mild steel sheet at the bottom, is considered. The end product quality is assessed using the thermal cutting standards. To compare the end product quality of composite structure cuts, Kevlar laminate and mild steel sheet are cut using the same cutting parameters. The kerf widths for Kevlar laminate and mild steel sheet cuts are predicted from the analytical formulation based on the lump parameter analysis. It is found that the end product quality of composite structure cuts is lower than that corresponding to Kevlar laminate and mild steel sheet cuts.     

The Role of Biomass in Greenhouse Gas Mitigation

Abstract

Biomass can play a dual role in greenhouse gas mitigation related to the objectives of the UNFCCC, i.e., as an energy source to substitute for fossil fuels and as a carbon store. However, compared to the maintenance and enhancement of carbon sinks and reservoirs, it appears that the use of biomass has so far received less attention as a means of mitigating climate change. Modern biomass options offer significant, cost-effective and perpetual opportunities toward meeting emission reduction targets while providing additional ancillary benefits. Moreover, via the sustainable use of the accumulated carbon, biomass has the potential for resolving some of the critical issues surrounding long-term maintenance of biotic carbon stocks. In the case of Turkey, energy consumption and environmental pollution are increasing rapidly due to its economic growth. As for the energy consumption, in parallel to the demand for heat and electricity, greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from energy use increase accordingly. In this regard, biomass and other renewables are becoming an attractive solution to the GHG mitigation for Turkey and other countries throughout the world. Finally, wood products can act as substitutes for more energy-intensive products, can constitute carbon sinks, and can be used as biofuels at the end of their lifetime.     

Market penetration of fuel cell vehicles – Analysis based on agent behaviour

This paper discusses the market penetration of fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) in Germany from the perspectives of different stakeholders. There are several economic studies and models describing the introduction of hydrogen-powered vehicles, but most of them focus on only one segment of the car market. Most studies analyse the impacts of FCVs on the automotive industry or the demand for FCVs separately, while others look at the required hydrogen infrastructure, but none of these analyses examines the car market as a whole. The analysis takes into account the actions of the whole market (consumers, automotive manufacturers, filling station owners and policymakers) and their interactions.     

Spirulina platensis feeding inhibited the anemia- and leucopenia-induced lead and cadmium in rats

In the present investigation, the effect of Spirulina platensis (Sp) was undertaken on rats fed with lead and cadmium including diet by using physiological, enzymehistochemical and stereological methods. For this aim, 50 rats were equally divided into five groups as control (C), lead (Pb), Spirulina+lead (Sp+Pb), cadmium (Cd), and Spirulina+cadmium (Sp+Cd). Red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts, packed cell volume (PCV), and haemoglobine (Hb) concentrations were determined by haemocytometric methods in blood samples collected on 30th day. Population of T lymphocyte was counted by the alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) staining method, and reticulocytes were counted by stereological method. The counts of RBC, WBC, and ANAE positive T lymphocyte, and the values of Hb, PCV, and MCHC were decreased in the Pb and Cd groups compared to control group. Also, the number of reticulocytes (polychromatofilic erythrocyte) increased in the Pb groups, whereas it decreased in the Cd group. On the other hand, these values were ceased by S. platensis in the treated groups. These results suggest that S. platensis supplementation may be useful in adjuvant treatment of leukemia and anemia caused by lead and cadmium toxication.