The Association of MYNN and TERC Gene Polymorphisms and Bladder Cancer in a Turkish Population.

PURPOSE: Researchers reported that, MYNN rs10936599 polymorphism is in strong or moderate linkage disequilibrium with SNPs within the 3q26.2 chromosomal regions that also include the TERC gene. In addition, it has been reported that MYNN rs10936599 had a strong cumulative association with bladder cancer risk, and TERC gene suppresses cell growth in bladder cancer cell lines. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether polymorphisms of MYNN rs10936599 and TERC rs2293607 play any roles for bladder cancer in the Turkish population in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 70 patients and 150 controls were investigated. Genotyping analysis was performed by polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing techniques. RESULTS: Genotype distribution between study groups for MYNN rs10936599 SNP was significantly different (P = .001); although there was no difference in genotype distribution for TERC rs2293607 SNP. In addition, patients with CT genotype and CT+TT genotype combination of MYNN SNP have a decreased risk for bladder cancer. Two times increased risk ratio on development of bladder cancer was obtained for CC genotype of the SNP (P = .001). Besides, it was found that genotype combination of GG+AG/CC versus AA/CC genotypes (TERC/MYNN)showed stronger correlation. We observed that statistically significant relationship between the C-G haplotypes of two polymorphisms and bladder cancer risk (P = .0001). CONCLUSION: At the end of the study, we suggested that there may exist an association between a combination of MYNN rs10936599 and TERC rs2293607 polymorphisms and development of bladder cancer in Turkish population.

Significant Association of the MDM2 T309G Polymorphism with Breast Cancer Risk in a Turkish Population

Background: Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in women worldwide. Genetic polymorphisms have been reported to be important etiological factors. Murine double minute 2 (MDM2) T309G interacts with p53 and mutations in p53 are present in approximately 50% of all cancers. However, it has been reported that effect of the polymorphism on breast cancer risk may vary in different populations. Here, we therefore investigated whether there is an association between MDM2 T309G (rs2279744) polymorphism and breast cancer in a Turkish population. Materials and Methods: We analysed 110 patients with breast cancer and 138 matched? controls. For genotyping, polymerase chain reaction and restriction length fragment polymorphism methods were used. Results: A significant difference was observed between case and control groups with regard to the distribution of the MDM2 T309G polymorphism (p<0.05). There was a significantly higher frequency of the TT genotype in the control group (p=0.028; OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.09-5.37). However, we did not find any relationships among tumor grade and metastasis status and this polymorphism. Conclusion: This study indicates that the MDM2 T309G polymorphism GG genotype and the TG+GG combination may be risk factors for breast cancer in our Turkish population.

Investigation of LAMTOR1 gene and protein expressions in germinal vesicle and metaphase II oocytes and embryos from 1-cell to blastocyst stage in a mouse model.

Improving the success of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and infertility treatment depend on understanding basic cellular and molecular mechanisms of human preimplantation development. Pre-implantation mouse embryo model is an ideal empiric system to understand these mechanisms. This study was aimed to investigate the gene and protein expressions of LAMTOR1 in mouse oocytes and pre-implantation embryos at different developmental stages. The findings demonstrate that LAMTOR1 was detected in the oocytes and in subsequent all stages of embryo development. The expression was increased progressively from MII-stage oocyte to morula stage embryo (p < 0.05), highest expression was identified in morula stage (p < 0.05), and decreased in blastocyst stage (p < 0.05). Immunofluorescence analysis showed outer and inner nuclear membranes and cytoplasmic subcellular localizations of LAMTOR1 in oocytes and pre-implantation embryos. The LAMTOR1 immunoexpression was gradually increased from MII oocyte and the highest level was detected at the morula stage of embryo development (p < 0.05). The lowest LAMTOR1 immunoexpression was detected at GV-stage oocyte (p < 0.05) and no clear difference in M2 oocyte, I-cell, 2-cell, and blastocyst stage embryos. In conclusion, both the mRNA and protein levels of LAMTOR1 increase progressively in cleavage-stage mouse embryos. LAMTOR1 has a significant higher embryonic expression at 2-cell to morula stage. LAMTOR1 may play a role in the oogenesis process and probably required for further developmental stages and it may play a possible role in the process of compaction and cavitation in mice. Therefore, further studies are needed to explore the LAMTOR1 expression especially in the different stages of embryonal development.

Effects of vitrification and transplantation on follicular development and expression of EphrinB1 and PDGFA in mouse ovaries.

The aim of this study was to assess the follicular development and the patterns of EphrinB1 and PDGFA immunostaining in vitrified mouse ovarian tissue (OT) with and without transplantation. Histological evaluation was performed on fresh and vitrified OTs, whether transplanted or not. RT-PCR was performed on fresh and vitrified ovarian samples (OSs) and vitrified OS graft. Vitrification alone did not significantly reduce the normal primordial, primary, and secondary follicles except antral ones (p > 0.05). However, transplantation decreased all the follicle types. The EphrinB1 immunoexpression showed high intensity in all follicular types in vitrified OT and the significant increased was detected in secondary and antral follicles (p < 0.05). PDGFA protein immunoexpression of primordial and primary follicles was decreased in vitrified OT (p < 0.05). However, the lowest immunoexpression of EphrinB1 and PDGFA was detected after transplantation (p < 0.05). The levels of ephrinb1 and pdgfa mRNA expressions in vitrified OS and vitrified OS grafts were found as comparable to the fresh OS. In conclusion, vitrification has no detrimental effect on the follicles at the different developmental stages, majority of ovarian follicular loss takes place after transplantation rather than vitrification. Overall, vitrification and grafting do not change the ephrinb1 and pdgfa gene expressions. In addition, EphrinB1 and PDGFA are expressed during different stages of folliculogenesis in a different manner in fresh, vitrified, or grafted OTs. Vitrification and/or grafting appear to affect the follicular expression of EphrinB1 and PDGFA. These findings suggest that these proteins could have several functions related to the development of follicles and angiogenesis after transplantation.

eNOS gene polymorphisms in paraffin-embedded tissues of prostate cancer patients.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphisms play a role in prostate cancer (PCa). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined three eNOS gene polymorphisms (T-786C promoter region, G894T, and Intron 4 VNTR 4a/b) at extracted DNAs from 50 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of PCa patients. For the controls, blood samples obtained from 50 healthy men were studied. Genotyping of molecular variants was performed by PCR-RFLP technique. RESULTS: We found that the TC genotype of the T-786C polymorphism was associated with PCa risk (OR: 3.325, CI: 1.350-8.188, P = 0.008). The eNOS G894T polymorphism was also associated with PCa. The frequency of the 894T allele was significantly higher in PCa patients. No association was identified between intron 4 VNTR polymorphism and PCa. CONCLUSION: We found significant differences in genotypic and allelic frequencies between PCa patients and controls for eNOS T-786C and G894T polymorphisms. The presence of the T-786C genotype and 894T allele in carriers increased the risk of PCa. No association was found between intron 4 VNTR polymorphism and PCa patients.

Relationship between IFNA1, IFNA5, IFNA10, and IFNA17 gene polymorphisms and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever prognosis in a Turkish population range.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a fatal emerging acute viral infection. Not much is known regarding the pathogenic mechanisms and the reasons behind severe or mild disease courses in CCHF. IFN-alpha (IFNA) is one of the essential cytokines in the immune system. Existence of single nucleotide gene polymorphisms (SNPs) in cytokines can cause susceptibility or resistance to viral agents and different clinical courses. Hence, the relationship between SNPs in genes encoding cytokines (IFNA1 -1823G/A (rs1332190), IFNA5 -2529T/A (rs758236), IFNA10 Cys20stop (rs10119910), and IFNA17 Ile184Arg (rs9298814) SNPs and disease susceptibility were investigated. The associations between SNPs and CCHF prognosis were also studied. Total 150 patients with CCHF and 170 healthy individuals were enrolled. Genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP methods. The frequency of IFNA1 -1823 (rs1332190) GG genotype was significantly higher in control subjects than CCHF patients (20% vs. 8%; P = 0.01). For IFNA17 Ile184Arg (rs9298814) polymorphism, CCHF patients having TG genotype had a higher frequency than the control subjects (38% vs. 32.4%; P = 0.039). The distribution of TT + TG genotype frequencies was also significantly higher in CCHF group than the controls (97.3% vs. 91.8%; P = 0.049). Genotype and allele frequencies for IFNA subtypes between fatal and survivors were the same (P > 0.05). Genotype and allele frequencies between severe and mild/moderate CCHF patients were also the same (P > 0.05). The results show that IFNA1 rs1332190 and IFNA17 rs9298814 SNPs may play an important role in CCHF susceptibility. Determining the existence of other connections for IFNA SNPs and CCHF severity and fatality requires further investigations.

Significant Association Between Polymorphisms of Wnt Antagonist Genes and Lung Cancer.

Further elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying lung cancer (LC) is essential for the development of new effective therapeutic agents. Recently, involvement of Wnt antagonists in oncogenesis has been demonstrated in several cancers. The investigation of their contribution to lung carcinogenesis is still under investigation. We aimed to investigate whether there is a susceptibility or preventive effect of Wnt antagonist gene polymorphisms on the development and/or prognosis of LC. We investigated 110 LC patients and 160 controls. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of Wnt antagonist genes including DKK2 (rs17037102), DKK3 (rs3206824), DKK3 intron4 G/C (rs7396187), DKK4 (rs2073664), and sFRP4 (rs1802074) were analyzed using nested polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results showed that patients with DKK3 AA compared with controls have a decreased risk of LC (adjusted for smoking habit, body mass index, and familial history) (P = 0.02; odds ratio [OR],0.08; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.01-0.7). It was found that, for sFRP4 polymorphism, patients with GG and GA genotypes versus AA genotype controls showed a decreased risk for LC (P = 0.01; [OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.05-0.73 for GG genotype]; [OR = 0.18, 95% CI, 0.04-0.72 for GA genotype]). In addition, a decreased risk of LC was also found for the genotype combination of DKK3 (rs3206824) GG and sFRP4 AG + GG (P = 0.004; OR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.02-0.58). We suggest that these 2 polymorphisms have a protective effect on LC in this study.

Aldosterone Synthase CYP11B2 Gene Promoter Polymorphism in a Turkish Population With Chronic Kidney Disease.

INTRODUCTION: It has been shown that gene polymorphisms influence the development and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Many studies have indicated that aldosterone synthase CYP11B2 gene polymorphism (-344C>T) influences the aldosterone level, urinary aldosterone excretion, blood pressure, and left ventricular size and mass. We aimed to investigate whether there is an effect of CYP11B2 -344 C>T polymorphism on the development of CKD in a Turkish population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 240 patients with stage 5 CKD and 240 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were included in the study. Genotyping of CYP11B2 gene -344 T>C promoter polymorphism was carried out using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in the genotype distribution of CYP11B2 -344 C>T polymorphism between the patients and controls; however, -344 C>T polymorphism was significantly more frequent among the CKD patients with diabetes mellitus as compared to those with it (P = .02). Diabetic CKD patients with TC genotype had a 2-fold increased risk for development of the disease than the CKD patients without diabetes mellitus (odds ratio, 2.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 4.67). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that the CYP11B2 gene -344 C>T polymorphism may have an effect on the development of CKD in diabetic patients.

Effect of tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 promoter polymorphisms on course of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Turkish patients.

OBJECTIVE: In this case-control study, we investigated whether IL-6 (-174G/C) and TNF-α (-308G/A) gene polymorphisms affect the clinical course and outcome of CCHF. METHODS: Total 150 patients with CCHF and 170 controls were examined in this study. Genotyping of these polymorphisms were performed by PCR-RFLP methods. RESULTS: We found no statistically significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies of these polymorphisms between patients and controls [(χ2 = 1.31, p = 0.51 for TNF-α) and (χ2 = 2.61, p = 0.27 for IL-6)]. Either TNF-α AA or IL-6 CC genotypes in dead cases were not observed in this study. Frequency of heterozygous genotypes in both IL-6 (GC) and TNF-α (GA) was higher in dead patients than living patients. However, the difference was not statistically significant. A significant difference was found in AST levels and INR when compared to patients with CCHF who died and who survived [OR = 13.9 (95% CI = 1.79-107) for INR, p = 0.01] and [OR = 23.3 (95% CI = 3.62-149) for AST, p = 0.001], respectively. CONCLUSION: We did not find a significant association of IL-6 -174G/C and TNF-α -308G/A polymorphisms on the prognosis of CCHF and mortality in this study. We suggest that AST and INR may be important biomarkers for determining the risk of severity and death as a result of infection with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV).

Lack of association between the MTHFRC677T polymorphism and lung cancer in a Turkish population.

BACKGROUND: In this case-control study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism and lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 200 individuals including 100 patients with lung cancer and 100 controls were analyzed. Genotyping of MTHFR C677T was performed using PCR and RFLP methods. RESULTS: The majority of the patients were men and 90% were smokers. We found that the risk ratio for development of LC was 13-times higher in smokers compared with non-smokers between patient and control groups in our study (OR:13.5, 95%CI:6.27-29.04, p:0.0001). Besides, the risk ratio for development of LC was nine times higher in individuals with cancer history in their family than those without cancer history (OR:9.65, 95%CI: 2.79-33.36; p:0.0001). When genotype distributions and allele frequencies were analyzed in the study groups, no significant difference was apparent (χ2:0.53, p=0.76). In addition, no correlation between genotypes of MTHFRC677T polymorphism and histological type of LC was found (χ2:0.99, p=0.60). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that there was no association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and lung cancer in the Turkish population.

Sequential determination of serum viral titers, virus-specific IgG antibodies, and TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γ levels in patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

BACKGROUND: Although there have been a number of studies on the pathogenesis of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) recently, knowledge on this topic is still insufficient. This study aims to reveal the kinetics of serum CCHF virus (CCHFV) titers, serum levels of anti-CCHFV immunoglobulin (Ig)G, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and interferon (IFN)-γ in CCHF patients. METHODS: In total, 31 CCHF cases (11 fatal) were studied. Serum samples were obtained daily from all patients from the time of admission and continued for a 7-day hospitalization period for serologic (ELISA), virologic (real-time PCR), and cytokine (ELISA) analysis. RESULTS: The mean serum CCHFV titer at admission was 5.5E + 09 copies/mL in fatal cases and 5.7E + 08 copies/mL in survivors (p < 0.001). Compared to survivors, both the mean serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α at admission were found to be significantly increased in fatal cases. The serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α and serum CCHFV titer at admission were significantly and positively correlated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) scores (r = 0.626, p = 0.0002; r = 0.461, p = 0.009; and r = 0.625, p = 0.003, respectively). When the data obtained from the sequential determination of CCHFV titer and levels of anti-CCHFV IgG, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10 and IFN-γ were grouped according to the days of illness, the initial serum CCHFV titer of a fatal patient was 5.5E + 09 (copies/mL) and it was 6.1E + 09 (copies/mL) in a survivor on the 2 day of illness. While significant alterations were observed in all cytokines during the monitoring period, IL-6 levels remained consistently higher in fatal cases and TNF-α levels increased in both in fatal and non-fatal CCHF cases. CONCLUSIONS: The increased CCHFV load and higher concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α, the presence of DIC, and the absence of CCHFV specific immunity are strongly associated with death in CCHF.

The occurrence of Aeromonas in drinking water, tap water and the Porsuk River

The occurrence of Aeromonas spp. in the Porsuk River, public drinking water and tap water in the City of Eskisehir (Turkey) was monitored. Fresh water samples were collected from several sampling sites during a period of one year. Total 102 typical colonies of Aeromonas spp. were submitted to biochemical tests for species differentiation and of 60 isolates were confirmed by biochemical tests. Further identifications of isolates were carried out first with the VITEK system (BioMeÿrieux) and then selected isolates from different phenotypes (VITEK types) were identified using the DuPont Qualicon RiboPrinter® system. Aeromonas spp. was detected only in the samples from the Porsuk River. According to the results obtained with the VITEK system, our isolates were 13 percent Aeromonas hydrophila, 37 percent Aeromonas caviae, 35 percent Pseudomonas putida, and 15 percent Pseudomonas acidovorans. In addition Pseudomonas sp., Pseudomonas maltophila, Aeromonas salmonicida, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Aeromonas media species were determined using the RiboPrinter® system. The samples taken from the Porsuk River were found to contain very diverse Aeromonas populations that can pose a risk for the residents of the city. On the other hand, drinking water and tap water of the City are free from Aeromonas pathogens and seem to be reliable water sources for the community.

The occurrence of Aeromonas in drinking water, tap water and the porsuk river.

The occurrence of Aeromonas spp. in the Porsuk River, public drinking water and tap water in the City of Eskisehir (Turkey) was monitored. Fresh water samples were collected from several sampling sites during a period of one year. Total 102 typical colonies of Aeromonas spp. were submitted to biochemical tests for species differentiation and of 60 isolates were confirmed by biochemical tests. Further identifications of isolates were carried out first with the VITEK system (BioMe˜rieux) and then selected isolates from different phenotypes (VITEK types) were identified using the DuPont Qualicon RiboPrinter® system. Aeromonas spp. was detected only in the samples from the Porsuk River. According to the results obtained with the VITEK system, our isolates were 13% Aeromonas hydrophila, 37% Aeromonas caviae, 35% Pseudomonas putida, and 15% Pseudomonas acidovorans. In addition Pseudomonas sp., Pseudomonas maltophila, Aeromonas salmonicida, Aeromonas hydrophila, and Aeromonas media species were determined using the RiboPrinter® system. The samples taken from the Porsuk River were found to contain very diverse Aeromonas populations that can pose a risk for the residents of the city. On the other hand, drinking water and tap water of the City are free from Aeromonas pathogens and seem to be reliable water sources for the community.

Assessment of left atrial appendage function during sinus rhythm in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: transesophageal echocardiography and tissue doppler study.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of systemic thromboembolism is high in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The authors hypothesized that vulnerability to such vascular events could be caused by depressed left atrial appendage (LAA) function during normal sinus rhythm (SR). The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate LAA contractile function during SR in patients with HCM. METHODS: LAA function was assessed in 62 patients with HCM in SR and compared with that in 53 age-matched and sex-matched controls. Patients with histories of atrial fibrillation and documented episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation on 24-hour Holter monitoring and depressed left ventricular ejection fractions (<50%) were excluded. Multiplane transesophageal echocardiography was performed for determination of the morphology and function of the LAA. RESULTS: LAA thrombi were present in five patients (8%) with HCM. LAA emptying and filling Doppler velocities were significantly depressed in the HCM group. LAA emptying and filling velocities were negatively correlated with age in controls (r = -0.4, P = .005), but these velocities were not associated with age in the HCM group. Moreover, LAA velocities were not associated with left ventricular mass index, left ventricular outflow tract gradient, or the degree of diastolic dysfunction in the HCM group. All Doppler tissue imaging velocities obtained from LAA walls were also significantly depressed in the HCM group. CONCLUSIONS: LAA thrombus formation was not rare in this patient population. The significantly depressed LAA filling and emptying velocities in SR may predispose patients with HCM to thromboembolic events. The depressed Doppler tissue imaging LAA parameters in patients with HCM may indicate the presence of a possible intrinsic atrial myopathy. Thromboembolic risk should be taken into account, and the evaluation of LAA morphology and function by transesophageal echocardiography might become a component of routine workup in patients with HCM in the future.

Antimicrobial activity of extracts of the lichen Parmelia sulcata and its salazinic acid constituent.

The antimicrobial activity of the acetone, chloroform, diethyl ether, methanol, and petroleum ether extracts of the lichen Parmelia sulcata and its salazinic acid constituent have been screened against twenty eight food-borne bacteria and fungi. All of the extracts with the exception of the petroleum ether extract showed antimicrobial activity against Aeromonas hydrophila, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Yersinia enterocolitica, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Penicillium notatum. Salazinic acid did not show antimicrobial activity against L. monocytogenes, P. vulgaris, Y. enterocolitica, and S. faecalis but showed activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhimurium as well. The MIC values of the extracts and the acid for the bacteria and fungi have also been determined.

Association of microsomal epoxide hydrolase gene polymorphism and pre-eclampsia in Turkish women.

AIM: To assess the association between human epoxide hydrolase exon 3 and 4 polymorphisms and pre-eclampsia by carrying out a case-control study in Turkish women. METHODS: DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes, and genotype distribution of exon 3 and exon 4 of epoxide hydrolase gene (EPHX) was carried out in 271 patients and 155 controls. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the distribution of genotypes between pre-eclampsia without HELLP and pre-eclampsia plus HELLP cases and controls for the exon 3 and 4 polymorphism of EPHX. However, we found a significant association between the predicted enzyme activity level and pre-eclampsia (P = 0.018). The distribution of subjects with predicted high, intermediate and low microsomal epoxide hydrolase enzyme (EPHX) activity were 23.2, 38.8 and 38% in cases and 12, 47.3 and 40.7% in controls, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although we could not find any association between genetic variability in exon 3 and 4 of EPHX and pre-eclampsia, genetic variability in these two exons jointly modifies the predicted enzyme activity and may be a risk factor for pre-eclampsia.

Antimicrobial activity of extracts of chemical races of the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea and their physodic acid, chloroatranorin, atranorin, and olivetoric acid constituents.

The antimicrobial activity and the MIC values of the ethanol, chloroform, diethyl ether, and acetone extracts of the chemical races of Pseudevernia furfuracea (var. furfuracea and var. ceratea) and their physodic acid, chloroatranorin, atranorin, and olivetoric acid constituents have been investigated against some microorganisms. Nearly all extracts of both chemical races showed antimicrobial activity against Aeromonas hydrophila, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Yersinia enterocolitica, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Alternaria alternata, Ascochyta rabiei, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, and Penicillium notatum. There was no antimicrobial activity of the extracts against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas syringae, Salmonella typhimurium, Alternaria citri, Alternaria tenuissima, and Gaeumannomyces graminis. Chloroatranorin and olivetoric acid were active against the same microorganisms with few exceptions. Physodic acid was active against about the same bacteria and yeasts and inactive against all of the filamentous fungi tested. Also no activity of atranorin against the filamentous fungi was observed.

Antimicrobial activity of extracts of the lichen Xanthoparmelia pokornyi and its gyrophoric and stenosporic acid constituents.

The antimicrobial activity of the diethyl ether, acetone, chloroform, petroleum ether, and ethanol extracts of the lichen Xanthoparmelia pokornyi and its gyrophoric acid and stenosporic acid constituents has been screened against some foodborne bacteria and fungi. Both the extracts and the acids showed antimicrobial activity against Aeromonas hydrophila, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Yersinia enterocolitica, Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. The extracts were inactive against the tested filamentous fungi. The MIC values of the extracts and the acids for the bacteria have also been determined.

The antimicrobial activity of extracts of the lichen Hypogymnia tubulosa and its 3-hydroxyphysodic acid constituent.

The antimicrobial activity and the MIC values of the diethyl ether, acetone, chloroform, petroleum ether, and ethanol extracts of the lichen Hypogymnia tubulosa and its 3-hydroxyphysodic acid constituent have been investigated against some microorganisms. At least one of the extracts or 3-hydroxyphysodic acid showed antimicrobial activity against Aeromonas hydrophila, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans. No antifungal activity of the extracts has been observed against ten filamentous fungi.

The antimicrobial activity of extracts of the lichen Cladonia foliacea and its (-)-usnic acid, atranorin, and fumarprotocetraric acid constituents.

The antimicrobial activity of the chloroform, diethyl ether, acetone, petroleum ether, and ethanol extracts of the lichen Cladonia foliacea and its (-)-usnic acid, atranorin, and fumarprotocetraric acid constituents against 9 bacteria and fungi has been investigated. The extracts and pure compounds alone were found active against the same bacteria and the same yeasts. Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Proteus vulgaris, Listeria monocytogenes, Aeromonas hydrophila, Candida albicans, and Candida glabrata growth were inhibited. In addition, the MICs of the extracts, (-)-usnic acid, atranorin and fumarprotocetraric acid were determined.