Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai Biologia
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Expression of adhesins by some Bordetella pertussis strains isolated in Romania in different time periods
No full textBordetella pertussis is the etiological agent of whooping cough or pertussis, a respiratory infection in humans which can be prevented by vaccination. B. pertussis is characterized by a set of virulence factors involved in bacterial adherence to host-cells and consecutive colonization of the respiratory epithelium and in immunity too. In this study, we compared the expression of the specific adhesins with antigenic properties in some B. pertussis strains, including collection strains, vaccine strains and recently-isolated strains. The specific adhesins / surface antigens of B. pertussis are: a surface protein, named FHA (filamentous hemagglutinin) and fimbria Fim2 and Fim3. These antigens were evidenced using an indirect ELISA method, based on specific monoclonal antibodies binding to specific epitopes. The results showed that fimbrial antigens Fim3 are expressed by all new-isolated strains, compared to the older isolates, which expressed Fim2 or both Fim2, 3.
Oprea et Lazar (PDF
Microbiological quality assessment and proximate analysis of fish and shrimps sold in open markets and grocery stores in Benin city, Nigeria
No full textThe aim of this research was to determine the microbiological quality and proximate composition of fish and shrimps sold in open markets and grocery stores in Benin City, Nigeria. Samples of fish and shrimps were analyzed microbiologically using pour plate isolation method. The total bacterial count/coliform count were7.80 ± 0.12 x 105/1.20 ± 0.13 x 105 and 5.44 ± 0.23 x 105/1.50 ± 0.11 x 105 for fish and shrimp samples respectively in the open market whilst for the grocery stores they were:3.61 ± 0.32 x 105/4.15 ± 0.33 x 105and 1.42 ± 0.24 x 105/1.36 ± 0.13 x 105for fish and shrimp samples respectively. The mean fungal count for fish and shrimp samples was highest in open market shrimps (2.11 ± 0.20 x 102) and lowest in grocery stores shrimp (1.33 ± 0.12 x 102). Bacterial species isolated were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter aerogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcus epidermidis while the fungi isolated were: Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp and Mucor sp. Proximate analysis showed that the samples were mainly made up of protein, carbohydrate and lipids whilst moisture, fibre and ash were also present in all the samples at varying concentrations. Results revealed no significant difference in the proximate composition of the open market and grocery stores fish and shrimps. From the foregoing, these high sources of nutrients should be added to our daily meal, while proper measures, such as public enlightenment, washing and cooking of the samples with potable water to ensure their microbiological safety are recommended.
Akinnibosun et Ezewele (PDF
A computational insight into cardiac beat-to-beat intervals variability: from normal to pathological
No full textOver the past 100 years, electrocardiography (ECG) has provided essential information for diagnosing patients with cardiovascular diseases. Despites the large clinical usefulness of classic paper printed 12-lead ECG, along with the accelerated development of computerized data acquisition, beat-to-beat methods of ECG analysis were developed, providing new information in the field of heart rate variability (HRV). The objectives of the study were to establish HRV parameters behavior in healthy subjects and in diabetes mellitus patients, as well as to evaluate HRV during acute cigarette smoking. The results concluded that HRV parameters describe statistically significant lower values in diabetic patients compared to healthy subjects, signifying a decreased response of the heart conduction system to autonomic stimuli. Concerning smoking, the study concluded that during smoking and ten minutes after, HRV parameters presented lower values than before smoking, as revealed by visual (2D and 3D) and analytical HRV methods. Our study is one of the few in literature that focuses on the acute effects of cigarette smoking, rather than the well-known long term effects of this wide-spread habit.
Mirescu et al (PDF
Diversity of entomofauna associated with greenhouse-grown tomatoes in Algiers (North Algeria)
No full textTomato is an important economic crop worldwide. Many insect pests are cause both quality and quantity yearly decrease on greenhouse-grown tomatoes. Thus, diversity and relative abundance of both harmful and useful insects were investigated in greenhouse-grown tomatoes in Algiers coastal area. The inventory was realized in 2014 by using yellow sticky platelets traps. The information obtained allowed us to elaborate an inventory with no less than 1449 individuals belonging to 46 different taxons, distributed among eight orders and 26 families. Useful entomofauna is very rich and represented around 32% of the total population with five predators and a dozen of Hymenoptera parasites. Presence ofa significant predatory parasite complex may contribute to the regulation of pests in tomatoes greenhouse and carry out control programs against the main harmful pest of this crop. This assessment of the entomofauna will make it possible to carry out control programs against the main pests of this culture. The results of this study will contribute to finding mechanisms and conditions for reducing the negative impacts of the bio-aggressors of tomato.
Djebara et al (PDF
Ornithological observations on the Goleşti Basin (Argeş River, Romania) between February 2013 and January 2014
No full textThe results of the researches performed between February 2013 and January 2014 on the birds of the Goleşti reservoir from ROSPA0062 Lacurile de acumulare de pe Argeş are shown in this paper. The 91 observed species belong to 13 orders, Passeriformes being the richest (with 31 species). 53 species are totally or partially dependent on wetlands. The monthly variation of the number of species and individuals reflects both natural and artificial processes. A few species (Anas platyrhynchos, Aythya fuligula, Aythya ferina, Larus ridibundus) were noticeable because of their frequency and abundance and this is why they dictated the general dynamics of the local avifauna. As a result, the Anseriformes and Charadriiformes are the overdominant orders at general level. 21 species are included in the Annex I of the Birds Directive. The qualitative and quantitative alterations observed over time do not show necessarily the climatic changes, because the conditions of the basin did not remain constant.
Mestecaneanu et Gava (PDF
Assessment of the phytoreclamation of an oil-contaminated soil cultivated with Cynodon dactylon, Eleusine indica and Eragrostis tenela
No full textThe interactions between Cynodon dactylon, Eragrostis tenela and Eleusine indica in the phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon were investigated. Top soil was collected from a marked plot and polluted with spent engine oil (SEO) to obtain a constant 5% w/w concentration. Thereafter, the soils were sown with Cynodon dactylon, Eragrostis tenela and Eleusine indica singly and in combination of two’s and three’s in separate bowls. The set up was left for three (3) months in a screen house. The results revealed that there were reductions in soil concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons, from 26523.76 mg/kg to 19959 mg/kg in the oil-polluted soil. Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus sp., Proteus vulgaris were the prevalent bacteria species found in the soils, while prevalence fungi species included Aspergillus niger, Geotricium sp., Penicillium sp., Rhizopus sp., Aspergillus flavus, and Fusarium solani. Morphological parameters of the three grasses were better enhanced when sown singly than when they were in combinations of two’s and three’s. Remediation was however best when they were sown altogether as one.
Ikhajiagbe et al 2017 (PDF
Influence of salt content on enzymatic activities and halophytes distribution in Cojocna zone, Romania
No full textSalty soil samples from three zones of Cojocna (Cluj county, Romania) have been investigated physico-chemically and enzymologically. Rizosphere of some halophytes were investigated in order to assess saline stress on bacterial enzyme activities and halophytes adaptation mechanisms to enhanced salt content. Several physico-chemical parameters of salty soil were determinated: pH, conductivity and different mineral ion contents. Changeful bacterial enzymatic activities and mineral ion composition were detected according to soil salt content. Reduced values of all enzymatic activities were detected. Based on the studied enzyme activities the enzymatic indicators of soil quality (EISQ) were calculated. The EISQ values were low, between EISQ = 0.201 and 0.236. In the sudied salty area, only a few halophyte species were observed and identified, the most common are: Salicornia herbacea, Puccinellia distans, Artemisia santonica, Limonium gmelinii and Salsola soda. All three salty zones were classified as sodic and saline-sodic soils.
Carpa et al Cojocna (PDF
Professor Iosif Viehmann (1 September 1925 – 6 August 2016)
Get PDFIOSIF VIEHMANN (Pepi, for family and friends) came to this world the first of September 1925, as the son of Iosif Viehmann, violonist at the Romanian Opera in Cluj, and Elisabeta Mureșan.
In 1940, after the loss of a part of Transylvania by the Vienna Dictum, Iosif (16 years old) and his brother Eugen (11 years old) fled to Timișoara with their mother. Here, the young Iosif Viehmann graduated the National College “C. D. Loga” in 1944.
After returning to Cluj, Iosif enrolled in the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the “Victor Babeș” University and graduated in 1950 with a thesis on the genesis of stalagmites.
There is a Romanian saying: “The man blesses the place”. This is certainly true for Pepi, throughout his life. The university assistant position was refused to the newly licensed Iosif Viehmann, because of his declared sympathy for the Liberal Party and for the Americans, his monarchist feelings, and for having close relatives in Germany (his father and brother). Therefore, he ended as a highschool teacher in Năsăud (Pedagogical School, 1952-1956), where he succeeded to inspire his pupils the love for studying, for nature, culture, and... for caves. He founded, with their help, a Laboratory for Natural Sciences, organized school trips and spelelological explorations. In 1956, he was finally nominated scientific researcher at the “Emil Racoviță” Speleological Institute in Cluj, where he worked for the rest of his long and successfull career
SPION size dependent effects on normal and cancer cells
No full textIron oxide nanoparticles have become widely used today in medical applications. In this study, we report a hyperthermia treatment with 10 and 100 nm naked and polyethylene glycol(PEG)-coated Super Paramagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) to normal and tumor cells in culture. Cells’ responses to nanoparticles were analyzed by cell viability assays (MTT and LDH) and transmission electron microscopy. Results indicate that even if 10 nm SPIONs have good magnetization saturation, the hyperthermia treatment is not effective due to the fact that cells do not endocytose them. 100 nm SPIONs are better engulfed by cells, and their hyperthermia effect is slightly increased.
Macavei et al (PDF
Heart rate variability: a practical review for the beginner
No full textHeart rate variability (HRV) refers to beat-to-beat interval changes on the electrocardiogram (ECG) and is considered a noninvasive measure of the autonomic balance. Although classical ECG is a well-known and standardized clinical method, HRV developed abruptly due to the evolution of computerized data acquisition systems in cardiology (digital electrocardiographs) and their software programs. HRV can be evaluated by visual methods (the beat-to-beat tachogram, the histogram and the Poincaré diagram) or by statistically computed parameters. Its applications include sympathovagal balance evaluation, monitoring of different neuropathies and contribution to survival prediction after cardiac acute events. Studies state that HRV can also be used as a method for rapid screening of some autonomic and cardiac diseases, along with other diagnostic procedures.
Mirescu et al (PDF