A total of 24 rats were divided into 4 groups: control, stress, extract alone, and stress + extract (<svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="vertical-align:-0.2063904pt" id="M1" height="8.55521pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.34882 27.8368 8.55521" width="27.8368pt"><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,0,0)"><path id="g113-111" d="M495 86L479 114C446 82 419 66 409 66C401 66 401 72 406 97C420 166 436 231 453 297C489 435 454 448 428 448C406 448 384 439 354 422C305 394 222 327 161 247H159L183 345C200 415 194 448 173 448C143 448 82 410 23 351L38 325C64 349 95 371 105 371C111 371 116 365 109 336L25 -4L31 -12C50 -4 77 3 107 9C119 69 132 122 145 168C197 254 321 381 370 381C387 381 393 374 378 305L329 95C309 17 320 -12 345 -12C372 -12 430 19 495 86Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,10.158,0)"><path id="g117-34" d="M535 323V373H52V323H535ZM535 138V188H52V138H535Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.013,0,0,-0.013,21.421,0)"><path id="g113-55" d="M137 343C167 482 260 545 321 574C357 591 397 603 429 609L423 641C382 634 335 622 295 608C189 570 37 457 37 238C37 84 125 -12 242 -12C362 -12 447 89 447 209C447 311 374 393 267 393C247 393 226 386 204 376L137 343ZM227 337C318 337 361 256 361 173C361 105 336 22 258 22C176 22 126 120 126 240C126 266 127 291 132 310C155 323 189 337 227 337Z"/></g></svg> each), for total 21 days of treatment. The immobilization stress was induced in rats by putting them in 20&#x2009;cm &#xd7; 7&#x2009;cm plastic tubes for 2&#x2009;h/day for 21 days. Rats were postorally treated with Salvadora persica at a dose of 900&#x2009;mg/kg body weight via intragastric intubations. At the end of the test period, hematological and biochemical parameters were determined in blood and serum samples with determination of vital organs weights. The vital organ weights were not significantly affected in stressed rats as compared to control rats. Compared to the control group, the stress treated group showed significances in several hematological parameters, including decreases in WBC, RBC, and PLT counts. Furthermore, in comparison to the control group, the stress group showed significantly increased blood glucose, serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triacylglycerols levels and decreased HDL-cholesterol level. The hematological and biochemical parameters in the stress + extract treated group were approximately similar to control group. The SP extract restored the changes observed following stress treatment.

Kholoud S. Ramadan

Salha A. Alshamrani

Effects of Salvadora persica Extract on the Hematological and Biochemical Alterations against Immobilization-Induced Rats

To investigate the response of rainfed maize to sowing methods and NPK levels, an experiment was undertaken during kharif of 2011 and 2012 at Dryland (Kerawa) Agriculture Research Station, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Budgam. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with combination of 2 sowing methods (flat sowing, 75&#x2009;cm apart rows, and ridge sowing, 75&#x2009;cm apart ridges) and 3 fertility levels (60&#x2009;:&#x2009;40&#x2009;:&#x2009;20, 75&#x2009;:&#x2009;50&#x2009;:&#x2009;30, and 90&#x2009;:&#x2009;60&#x2009;:&#x2009;40 N&#x2009;:&#x2009;P2O5&#x2009;:&#x2009;K2O&#x2009;kg&#x2009;ha&#x2212;1) with three replications. Various growth characters, namely, plant height, leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, number of days to different phenological stages, and yield, and yield contributing characters namely, cob length, number of grains cob&#x2212;1, cob diameter (cm), and 100-seed weight (g), were significantly higher with S2 over S1 during both the years of experimentation. Fertilizer levels F3 (90&#x2009;:&#x2009;60&#x2009;:&#x2009;40) and F2 (75&#x2009;:&#x2009;50&#x2009;:&#x2009;30) at par with one another produced significant increase in growth and yield characters, namely, plant height, leaf area index, dry matter production at different growth stages, cob length, number of cobs plant&#x2212;1, number of grains cob&#x2212;1, and 100-seed weight over F1 (60&#x2009;:&#x2009;40&#x2009;:&#x2009;20). Significantly higher grain yield was recorded with fertilizer level F3 (90&#x2009;:&#x2009;60&#x2009;:&#x2009;40) being at par with F2 (75&#x2009;:&#x2009;50&#x2009;:&#x2009;30) and showed significant increase over F1 (60&#x2009;:&#x2009;40&#x2009;:&#x2009;20) with superiority of 5.4 and 5.7 per cent during 2011 and 2012, respectively. The findings of the study concluded that ridge method of sowing of maize with NPK levels of 75&#x2009;:&#x2009;50&#x2009;:&#x2009;30&#x2009;kg&#x2009;ha&#x2212;1 showed better performance of crop in terms of growth, yield, and yield attributes.

Shamim Gul

M. H. Khan

B. A. Khanday

Sabeena Nabi

Effect of Sowing Methods and NPK Levels on Growth and Yield of 
Rainfed Maize (Zea mays L.)

Each CYP2A6 gene variant metabolizes nicotine differently depending on its enzymatic activities. The normal nicotine metabolizer CYP2A6&#x2a;1A is associated with high scores of nicotine dependence (5&#x2013;10) on the Fagerstr&#xf6;m Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) scale because it encodes for enzymes that catalyze nicotine 100&#x25;. Slow nicotine metabolizers (i.e., CYP2A6&#x2a;1H, CYP2A6&#x2a;4A, CYP2A6&#x2a;9, and CYP2A6&#x2a;12A) are associated with underrated nicotine metabolizing activity (50&#x25;&#x2013;75&#x25;), linking them to low scores for nicotine dependence (0&#x2013;4) on the FTND scale. In a clinical trial involving the use of bupropion, people who were carriers of slow nicotine metabolizers were found to have a tendency to maintain abstinence 1.7 times longer than people with normal nicotine metabolizers. An overview of CYP2A6 polymorphism enzymatic activities in nicotine dependence etiology and treatment revealed that slow nicotine metabolizers may strengthen the individualized treatment of nicotine dependence.

Yawo Mawuli Akrodou

CYP2A6 Polymorphisms May Strengthen Individualized Treatment for Nicotine Dependence

The aim of this study has been to elucidate the effect of the probiotic Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415 on epithelial integrity in intestinal epithelial cells and whether pre- and coincubation with this strain can reproducibly prevent damage induced by enterotoxigenic (ETEC) and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC). Porcine (IPEC-J2) and human (Caco-2) intestinal epithelial cells were incubated with bacterial strains and epithelial integrity was assessed by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and mannitol flux rates. E. faecium alone increased TEER of Caco-2 cells without affecting mannitol fluxes whereas the E. coli strains decreased TEER and concomitantly increased mannitol flux rates in both cell lines. Preincubation with E. faecium had no effect on the TEER decrease induced by E. coli in preliminary experiments. However, in a second set of experiments using a slightly different protocol, E. faecium ameliorated the TEER decrease induced by ETEC at 4&#x2009;h in IPEC-J2 and at 2, 4, and 6&#x2009;h in Caco-2 cells. 
We conclude that E. faecium positively affected epithelial integrity in monoinfected Caco-2 cells and could ameliorate the damage on TEER induced by an ETEC strain. Reproducibility of the results is, however, limited when experiments are performed with living bacteria over longer periods.

Ulrike Lodemann

Julia Strahlendorf

Peter Schierack

Shanti Klingspor

J&#xf6;rg R. Aschenbach

Holger Martens

Effects of the Probiotic Enterococcus faecium and Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strains in a Pig and Human Epithelial Intestinal Cell Model

Background. Left main PCI is superior to coronary bypass surgery in selected patients. Registry data, however, suggest significant early adverse event rates associated with unprotected left main PCI. We aimed to evaluate safety of an extracorporeal life support (ECLS) as backup system during PCI. Methods. We report a registry study of 16 high-risk patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes undergoing unprotected left main PCI with an ECLS backup. Results. Seven patients (43.8&#x25;) presented with an acute myocardial infarction while 9 patients (56.3&#x25;) had unstable angina. Unprotected left main PCI could be successfully performed in all 16 patients. Mortality or thromboembolic event rates were zero within the index hospital stay. General anesthesia was necessary only in 5 patients (31.3&#x25;). Access site bleeding requiring transfusion was encountered in 4 patients (25.0&#x25;). Three patients (18.8&#x25;) developed access site complications requiring surgical intervention. All patients were ECLS-free after 96 hours. Conclusions. Unprotected left main PCI could be safely and effectively performed after ECLS implantation as backup in acute coronary syndromes in our patient collectively. Vascular access site complications however need to be considered when applying ECLS as backup system.

Dawid L. Staudacher

Oliver Langner

Paul Biever

Christoph Benk

Manfred Zehender

Christoph Bode

Tobias Wengenmayer

Unprotected Left Main Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Acute Coronary Syndromes with Extracorporeal Life Support Backup

Background. Formalin, a traditionally preferred fixative in the field of pathology, has restricted usage in private settings. Since its toxicity violates the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, an eco-friendly alternative would be the need of the hour. Hence an instant media which is economical and nontoxic and enables easy transport of biopsied soft tissue specimens in its original state is of vital importance. Materials and Methods. Commercially available fresh goat buccal mucosa specimens were sliced into smaller bits of equal dimensions and placed in six different containers containing 20&#x25; honey, 30&#x25; jaggery, milk, and ice for 1&#x2009;hr, 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours each with formalin as a positive control. After the set time interval, the specimens were fixed in 10&#x25; buffered formalin for 24 hours followed by routine processing and staining. The histologic interpretations were a blinded procedure and evaluated by two experts. Results were statistically analysed. Results. 30&#x25; jaggery proved to be an ideal transport media showing high quality preservation after 24 hours. 20&#x25; honey and ice showed optimal tissue preservation up to 6 hours following which quality deteriorated. Tissues transported in milk showed poor preservation. Conclusion. 30&#x25; jaggery can be endorsed in routine histopathological analysis as a transport media.

Shankargouda Patil

Roopa S. Rao

Anveeta Agarwal

A. Thirumal Raj

Instant Transport Media for Biopsied Soft Tissue Specimens: A Comparative Study

The self-organisation of collective behaviours often manifests as dramatic patterns of emergent large-scale order. This is true for relatively &#x201c;simple&#x201d; entities such as microbial communities and robot &#x201c;swarms,&#x201d; through to more complex self-organised systems such as those displayed by social insects, migrating herds, and many human activities. The principle of stigmergy describes those self-organised phenomena that emerge as a consequence of indirect communication between individuals of the group through the generation of persistent cues in the environment. Interestingly, despite numerous examples of multicellular behaviours of bacteria, the principle of stigmergy has yet to become an accepted theoretical framework that describes how bacterial collectives self-organise. Here we review some examples of multicellular bacterial behaviours in the context of stigmergy with the aim of bringing this powerful and elegant self-organisation principle to the attention of the microbial research community.

Erin S. Gloag

Lynne Turnbull

Cynthia B. Whitchurch

Bacterial Stigmergy: An Organising Principle of  Multicellular Collective Behaviours of Bacteria

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Scientifica publishes research articles and review articles covering a wide range of subjects in the life sciences, environmental sciences, health sciences, and medicine. 

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