Cellular Biomarkers in Mytilus galloprovincialis L. (Mediterranean Mussels) from Izmir Bay (Turkey)

In this study, cellular biomarkers and heavy metal concentration in the Mytilus galloprovincialis L. (Mediterranean mussels) collected from eight sites of Izmir Bay (Turkey) were determined to reveal water pollution for the first time in these stations. Results show that heavy metals (As, Cu, Hg, Zn, Cd, Sn, Pb) have been specified in mussels' tissues collected from all stations. According to GST, SOD, CAT activities, and TBARS contents, mussels in the outer bay have exposed more oxidative stress than the ones in the inner bay. Digestive gland tissues of them were showed more inhibition at AChE levels than gills. Also, abnormal nucleus rates and micronucleus frequencies (MN) were found to be higher in the inner bay than in the outer bay. This study showed that heavy metal pollution in different levels is an environmental issue on the Izmir Bay. Especially the coastal regions of the bay have been extremely affected by anthropogenic effects due to growing population.

How pollution effects the immune systems of invertebrate organisms (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamark, 1819)

Hemocytes are the main immunologic parameters for invertebrate organisms as a response to diseases and pollutions. This study was aimed to reveal the relations between pollution and the total and differential hemocytes numbers. The gulf of İzmir was selected as location for sampling due to its contaminated by different anthropogenic pollutants mainly industrial effects. The effects of the pollutants were investigated on the mussels that have been collected from eight stations in the Izmir Bay (1- Inciralti, 2- Göztepe 3-Konak-4- Pasaport 5-Alsancak, 6-Karşıyaka, 7-Bostanlı), which are known as the most polluted part of inner Bay of Izmir (Western Coast of Turkey) and 8-Foça, (an anthropogenically industrialized and shipping -impacted area). The pollution effects in the bay were determined on hemolymphs by biomarkers such as total hemocyte counts (THCs) and differential hemocyte counts (DHCs). Microscopic examinations have shown the statistical differences at THCs and DHCs. The highest total hemocyte number was determined in the station 7 (Bostanlı) and the lowest in the station 4 (Pasaport) (P < 0.05). The number of total hemocyte counts were not differed significantly in the Stations among 2 (Göztepe), 5 (Alsancak) and 6 (Karşıyaka), and between Stations 8 (Foça) and 1 (Inciraltı) (P > 0.05). In addition, there have been significant differences in subpopulation according to differential hemocyte numbers. The results indicate that the station 8 (reference site-Foça) has the highest agranulocyte number while station 7 (Bostanlı) and the station 1 (İnciraltı) have the lowest agranulocyte numbers (P < 0.05). As for the basophilic hemocyte numbers, this situation was reversed highest number in station 1 (Inciraltı) and 7 (Bostanlı) and lowest in the station 8 (Foça) (p < 0.05). The station 4 (Pasaport) has the highest eosinophilic hemocyte number while station 8 (Foça) has the lowest. We concluded that differential hemocytes counts are more sensitive as biomarker with the highest numbers of agranulocytes and lowest numbers of eosinophilic and basophilic hemocytes in reference site.

High binding yet accelerated guest rotation within a cucurbit[7]uril complex. Toward paramagnetic gyroscopes and rolling nanomachines

The (15-oxo-3,7,11-triazadispiro[5.1.5.3]hexadec-7-yl)oxidanyl, a bis-spiropiperidinium nitroxide derived from TEMPONE, can be included in cucurbit[7]uril to form a strong (K(a)∼ 2 × 10(5) M(-1)) CB[7]@bPTO complex. EPR and MS spectra, DFT calculations, and unparalleled increased resistance (a factor of ∼10(3)) toward ascorbic acid reduction show evidence of deep inclusion of bPTO inside CB[7]. The unusual shape of the CB[7]@bPTO EPR spectrum can be explained by an anisotropic Brownian rotational diffusion, the global tumbling of the complex being slower than rotation of bPTO around its "long molecular axis" inside CB[7]. The CB[7] (stator) with the encapsulated bPTO (rotator) behaves as a supramolecular paramagnetic rotor with increased rotational speed of the rotator that has great potential for advanced nanoscale machines requiring wheels such as cucurbiturils with virtually no friction between the wheel and the axle for optimum wheel rotation (i.e. nanopulleys and nanocars).