Mangroves render several ecosystem services globally, one of which is pharmacological products. This study was done to verify whether Acrostichum aureum, a species of mangrove, common in the Niger Delta has anti-bacterial property. Several leaf samples were plucked from the trees at Eagle Island and placed in a cooler and sent to the lab for further analysis. The leaves were dried and ground into fine powder with manual grinding machine and 100 g of the powdered sample was measured and placed in 1000 ml of each of the extraction solvents (hot water and methanol). Five different concentrations (32.25 mg/ml, 65.5 mg/ml, 125 mg/l, 250 mg/l and 500 mg/l) were made from each of the extracts using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Furthermore, bacterial species (Escherichia coli, Salmonella paratyphi, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were isolated and a stock of each sample was made in agar slant and stored in the refrigerator at 4°C. Mueller Hinton Sensitivity Agar (MHA) medium was prepared in agar and triplicate discs of each of the concentrations made from the two extracts were placed on the medium (MHA). The zone of inhibition in diameter in all plates was measured and analyzed statistically using R statistics. The result revealed that there is a significant difference in the growth of the microbes on the different concentrations of A. aureum (F4, 100 = 4.02, P = 0.01). A. aureum had higher effect on E. coli and S. aureus. Similarly, the higher the concentrations of the extracts the more effective it is in controlling the bacteria. Finally, the study revealed that A. aureum has antibacterial properties that can be employed in drug production to treat common diseases prevalent in the region. Key words: Antibiotics, bacteria, Niger Delta, mangrove, microbial species, medicinal products.

Q&A: Apollo lead retrofire officer Jerry Elliott-High Eagle

Abstract The present case study proposes an experimental approach to the taphonomic characterization of modifications that are produced on bone surfaces by eagles during the attack and capture of their prey. Under these circumstances, a golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) attack on a Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus) skull was simulated. The macaque specimen was analysed from a taphonomic perspective, which allowed for the comparison of traces left on the skull against the data that have already been published on past and present primate attacks by eagles. The results of the experiment confirmed the presence of some modifications that were similar to the damage described in the literature for specific palaeoanthropological specimens. However, the number of alterations observed was much lower because the attack was restricted to a single event, with the aim being to isolate the specific predatory attack damage. This kind of experiment demonstrates how experimental archaeology can be a useful tool for replicating past scenarios by using rigorous scientific methods, testing hypotheses and interpreting archaeological assemblages.

The Eagle and the Phoenix

The Eagle of an Unalterable Nature

Głównym celem niniejszej pracy stała się prezentacja symboliki rzymskiego orła na przykładzie okresu rządów princepsa Oktawiana Augusta (44/31 przed Chr. - 14 n.e.), poprzez zgłębienie genezy, zastosowania oraz roli ideowej jego wizerunku w sztuce i kulturze Imperium Romanum. Analizie poddane zostają zarówno świadectwa pisane autorów starożytnych, jak i liczne zabytki kultury materialnej (numizmaty, gemmy). Rozważania uzupełniają uwagi odnośnie początków wizerunku orła jako rozpoznawalnego atrybutu cesarskiego (władzy cesarskiej).

El desarrollo del presente artículo está orientado a establecer las estrategias financieras que requiere llevar a cabo el Club Rionegro Águilas Doradas en el marco del Objetivo Básico Financiero (OBF). Para esto se realizó un diagnóstico de los estados financieros del equipo deportivo; adicionalmente se hizo una investigación documental mediante la cual se establecieron los antecedentes sobre el tema, se realizaron entrevistas a algunos profesionales del área financiera para obtener el conocimiento de las posibles estrategias que se pueden implementar; y finalmente se establecieron algunas estrategias que pueden ayudar al equipo a alcanzar el Objetivo Básico Financiero frente a la optimización de los ingresos, evaluación permanente del flujo de caja y la gestión eficiente de costos y gastos.

Response to Morris N. Eagle

Last response here to Morris N. Eagle

Introduction: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of chlorhexidine (CHX), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) irrigants on human gingival fibroblasts. Materials and Methods: Gingival fibroblasts were cultured in Dulbecco Modified Eagle Medium for 24 h. Then, the cells were exposed for 1 min to different concentrations of CHX, EDTA, and NaOCl and the cell viability was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide tetrazolium reduction assay. The percentage of gingival fibroblast viability was compared to control (100% viability). Results: All concentrations of CHX, EDTA, and NaOCl were cytotoxic to gingival fibroblasts compared to control group and this effect was dose-dependent (P < 0.0001). There was an inverse relationship between the concentrations of these irrigants and cell viability. The highest clinically used concentrations of CHX (2%), EDTA (17%) and NaOCl (2.5%) reduced the cell viability to 2.2%, 3.2%, and 1.9%, respectively, compared to the 100% viability of control. However, the lowest concentration of CHX (0.00002%), EDTA (0.00017%), and NaOCl (0.000025%) increased the cell viability to 39.8%, 30.2%, and 44.2%, respectively, in comparison to control. There were no significant differences between the irrigants at clinically used concentrations (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The cytotoxic effect of CHX, EDTA, and NaOCl on gingival fibroblasts was dose-dependent. Further studies are needed to assess and optimize the safety and efficacy of these irrigants in vivo.

“GÜNEŞE UÇAN KARTAL” ADLI ESER

A tale of two eagles

Objective To explore the effects of hypoxic-induced bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on motor and cognitive function in rats with craniocerebral trauma. Methods 18 adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, Group A, Group B, Group C and another 6 normal rats were taken as the normal control group. The Morris water maze test was performed on 21, 23 and 25 days after injection of BMSCs or dulbeeeo modified eagle medium (DMEM) solution, including the location-based navigation test and the spatial search test. Hematoxylin (HE) staining was performed on the hippocampus tissue after the experiment. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of apoptotic marker protein. Results The incubation period of rats in the four groups showed a decreasing trend with time (F=22.460, P 0.05). The space search experiment shows that the number of crossing in the group C and the swimming time in the platform quadrant were higher than those in the group A and B, but lower than the control group (F=198.670, P<0.01; F=4.615, P<0.05). The observation results of hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining showed that there was a decrease in the number of nucleus parenchyma neurons in the hippocampal area in group A. There were significant differences in group B and C compared to group A. Westernblotting results indicated that group C had better anti-apoptotic effect than group B [(0.51±0.13) vs. (0.86±0.21), t=3.471, P<0.05]. PCR results indicated that group C had better anti-apoptotic effect than group B [(0.41±0.08) vs. (0.78±0.13), t=5.937, P<0.01]. Conclusion BMSCs induced by hypoxic conditions have better effects on motor and cognitive function in rats with craniocerebral trauma than normal oxygen induction. Key words: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells; Craniocerebral injury; Rat; Low oxygen

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) improvement via genetic transformation depends on an efficient regeneration system for recovery of transgenic events. This study reports a somatic embryogenesis-based regeneration system for two Kenyan wheat genotypes (Eagle 10 and Njoro bread wheat II) from mature embryos. The study investigated the efficiency of mercuric chloride, commercial bleach, and chlorine gas in surface sterilizing explants prior to in vitro culture. Callus induction and somatic embryogenesis were done by culturing wheat mature embryos in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) used either singly or in combination with 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (4-CPA) or 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Embryo germination and plantlet recovery were done by culturing embryogenic callus in MS medium without plant growth regulators (PGRs). Chlorine gas was significantly (p<0.001) the most effective in surface sterilization and maintenance of explant viability. All 2, 4-D concentrations tested (1, 2, 4 and 8 mg/l) induced embryogenic callus. A significantly higher callus induction rate and callus fresh weight were obtained when 2,4-D was used in combination with either NAA or 4-CPA than when it was used singly. Combining 2,4-D with BAP led to a significantly lower callus induction frequency. Somatic embryo germination was achieved in MS medium without plant growth regulators. These findings have the potential to inform future efforts in the application of modern biotechnology for accelerated wheat cultivar improvement. Key words: Wheat, somatic embryogenesis, mature embryos.

The Gathering of the Eagles around the Corpse (Matt 24:28): A Metaphor for the Anti-Messianic Banquet

Charles J. Esdaile, Napoleon, France and Waterloo: The Eagle Rejected. Barnsley: Pen &amp; Sword, 2017. 257pp. ISBN 9781473870826 (hardback). £25.

How the Fishing Eagle Died (and What It Said Before); A Sad Boy Learns to Smile

Objective To preliminarily evaluate the effect of levocetirizine hydrochloride at different concentrations on the growth of in vitro cultured human dermal papilla cells, and to explore its mechanism. Methods Human dermal papilla cells were divided into several groups to be cultured with Dulbecco′s modified eagle medium (DMEM) containing 0 (control group) , 1, 10, 100, 1 000, 10 000 μg/L levocetirizine hydrochloride respectively for 48 hours. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe the growth of the dermal papilla cells, and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay to evaluate the proliferative activity of the dermal papilla cells. Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR was conducted to measure the mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) , prostaglandin D2 synthase (PTGDS) , prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) , prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2α) , G protein-coupled receptor 44 (GPR44) , protein kinase B (AKT) and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) , and Western blot analysis to determine the protein expression of PTGDS. After 24-hour culture with DMEM containing levocetirizine hydrochloride at different concentrations, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect the levels of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) and PGD2R receptor in the culture supernatant of the human dermal papilla cells. Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS17.0 software using one-way analysis of variance for the comparison of the above indices among the groups, and least significant difference (LSD) -t test for multiple comparisons. Results Immunofluorescence staining showed that human dermal papilla cells grew well and reached over 90% confluence in the 100 μg/L levocetirizine hydrochloride group. MTT assay revealed that there were significant differences in the proliferation rate among all the groups (F=42.22, P 0.05) . The 100 μg/L levocetirizine hydrochloride group showed significantly decreased mRNA expression of COX-2, PTGDS and GPR44 (0.84 ± 0.08, 0.81 ± 0.10 and 0.85 ± 0.09 respectively) compared with the control group (t=1.97, 2.17 and 2.66 respectively, all P < 0.05) , but significantly increased mRNA expression of PGF2α and AKT (1.96 ± 0.25 and 1.74 ± 0.32 respectively) compared with the control group (t=3.66, 7.32 respectively, both P < 0.05) . Moreover, the protein expression of PTGDS, PGD2 and PGD2R significantly differed among these groups (all P < 0.05) , and was significantly lower in the 100 μg/L levocetirizine hydrochloride group than in the control group (P < 0.05) . Conclusion Levocetirizine hydrochloride can promote the in vitro growth of human dermal papilla cells, likely by inhibiting the PGD2-GPR44 pathway and activating the AKT signal pathway. Key words: Cetirizine; Prostaglandins; Alopecia; Receptors, G-protein-coupled; Dermal papilla cells

Objective To investigate the protective effect of verbascoside on brain glial cells (HEB) with oxidative stress injured. Methods HEB cells were cultured by dulbeeeo modified eagle medium (DMEM) culture liquid containing 10% fetal bovine serum and randomly divided in to model group, verbascoside low, medium and high dose group, positive drug group and normal control group. Except normal control group, the other group were induced to oxidative stress injury by bing exposed to H2O2 at dose 100 mmol/L. 20, 40, 80 μg/L verbascoside were separately added into low, medium and high doses of verbascoside groups. Afer co-culturing for 4 h, the morphological changes of HEB were observed by light microscope; the survival rate of HEB was examined using methyl thiazol tetrazolium (MTT). The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the HEB were detected with spectrophotometry. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in culture medium were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statisticalanalysis of data using the statistical product and service solutions 17.0 software. Results Compared with the normal control group, HEB in model group shrank, more suspension cells were in the culture medium, Compared with the model group, HEB cells in each concentration group and positive drug group retracted less and the number of cells increased significantly. The cell survival rate of model group was (38±6)%. The cell survival rates of low, medium and high concentration of pistil glycoside were (45±2)%, (63±4)% and (83±7)%, respectively. The cell survival rate of positive drug group was (83±2)%. Compared with the model group, the cell viability of the three concentration groups and the positive drug group increased significantly (t=3.120, 3.920, 0.892, P<0.01). In the normal control group, SOD level was 1.83±0.64, MDA level was 6.25±0.47 and LDH concentration in cell culture medium was 1357.78±110.24. In model group, SOD level was 0.94±0.21, MDA level was 14.35±1.17 and LDH concentration in cell culture medium was 1 994.32±88.25. Compared with the normal control group, SOD level of HEB cells in model group decreased (t=4.289, P<0.01), MDA level increased (t=3.204, P<0.01), LDH concentration in cell culture medium increased (t=3.056, P<0.01). SOD levels were 1.56±0.41, 1.86±0.74, 1.78±0.47, MDA concentrations were 8.06±0.43, 6.84±0.91, 6.63±0.25, LDH concentrations in cell culture medium were 1 548.36±109.47, 1 384.39±107.95, 1 297.81.36±114.32, respectively. Compared with the model group, the SOD level of middle dose of piloside increased (t=2.891, P<0.05), MDA concentration decreased (t=2.942, P<0.05), LDH concentration in cell culture medium decreased (t=2.877, P<0.05), SOD level increased (t=3.128, 3.762, P<0.01), MDA concentration decreased (t=3.320, 3.265, P<0.01) and LDH concentration in cell culture medium decreased (t=3.708, 3.962, P<0.01) in high dose group and positive drug group. Conclusion Mulberry glycoside can protect HEB from oxidative stress, and the protective mechanism may be related to improving the antioxidant capacity of HEB. Key words: Verbascoside; Oxidative stress; Brain glial cells

Three proposals for the reconstruction of the eagle pavilion in the Branicki Garden in Bialystok – designs, method selection and execution