Effects of Naphthenic Acids on Rooting of In Vitro Grown Sequoia sempervirens

The study describes the effect of naphthenates and their fractions on rooting of in vitro grown Sequoia sempervirens (Lamb. ex D. Don) Endl. shoots. Natural naphthenic acids have been isolated by alkaline extraction from the middle gas fraction of the crude oil. Sequoia sempervirens shoots (1 cm in length) were grown on Murashige and Skoog (1962) (MS) medium supplemented with either total naphthenate preparation, naphthenate fractions obtained by extraction on different pH (pH 2, pH 4, pH 7 and pH 9), or indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) in different concentrations (twenty treatments tested). The rooting testing was based on number and total length of roots formed after four weeks of in vitro growth. Similarly to total length of roots, the highest number of roots per explant (approximate to 7) was achieved in medium containing 50 mu M of the naphthenate fraction extracted at pH 2 and in medium containing 50 mu M of the fraction extracted at pH 9. That is triple higher than in the control and significantly better than in the best IBA-treatment (50 mu M IBA), where five roots per explants in average were formed. Similar to the results obtained for some agricultural and tree forest species, our results with Sequoia sempervirens confirm the possibility of rooting stimulation by naphthenates

Variability of Helianthus maximiliani Schrader revealed by RAPD analysis

Intraspecies variability of Helianthus maximiliani, as well as its relations with two other wild species and cultivated sunflower, was determined using RAPD (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA) analysis. Ten 10-base primers were used for the amplification. RAPD products were analysed by electrophoresis in 1.6% agarose gel. Significant variability within H. maximiliani was revealed. Considerable difference of several accessions compared with the rest raised the question about their taxonomic status. Dendrograms obtained on the basis of primers C15 and E05, which were in accordance with existing taxonomy, confirmed the usefulness of RAPD analysis for taxonomic studies

Household chemicals as possible causes of poisoning and environmental pollution

Nowadays, in order to maintain cleanliness in our houses, as well as to maintain personal hygiene, numerous chemical agents are used every day. Dishwashing detergents are used the most, followed by laundry detergents, various soaps and hair shampoos, and not infrequently descaling agents, for cleaning ovens, unclogging drainage and sewage pipes, neutralizing unpleasant odours, etc. Although their number is growing day by day, most people do not realize the consequences, or at least not enough, and especially not about their potentially toxic effects. In fact, a great deal of the population do not consider household chemicals a particular problem, which is true, if they are used in the prescribed manner. However, the fact that these agents can cause harmful effects in humans and animals, and even participate in environmental pollution, is more than a sufficient reason to pay more attention to these agents, that is, to talk about them more and obtain more information for that matter. Particularly since there are authors who believe that some of the mentioned agents can even cause cancer, asthma or birth defects, i.e. infertility. Household chemicals can be divided in several ways, and one of the classifications is the one made according to the place of use. According to this division, the products we use every day at home can be roughly divided into those used for cleaning and maintaining hygiene in kitchens, used for the same purposes in bathrooms (including those used for personal hygiene ), and the products used in rooms and on terraces (flower protection)

Exploitation of epigenetic variation of crop wild relatives for crop improvement and agrobiodiversity preservation

Crop wild relatives (CWRs) are recognized as the best potential source of traits for crop improvement. However, successful crop improvement using CWR relies on identifying variation in genes controlling desired traits in plant germplasms and subsequently incorporating them into cultivars. Epigenetic diversity may provide an additional layer of variation within CWR and can contribute novel epialleles for key traits for crop improvement. There is emerging evidence that epigenetic variants of functional and/or agronomic importance exist in CWR gene pools. This provides a rationale for the conservation of epigenotypes of interest, thus contributing to agrobiodiversity preservation through conservation and (epi)genetic monitoring. Concepts and techniques of classical and modern breeding should consider integrating recent progress in epigenetics, initially by identifying their association with phenotypic variations and then by assessing their heritability and stability in subsequent generations. New tools available for epigenomic analysis ofer the opportunity to capture epigenetic variation and integrate it into advanced (epi)breeding programmes. Advances in -omics have provided new insights into the sources and inheritance of epigenetic variation and enabled the efcient introduction of epi-traits from CWR into crops using epigenetic molecular markers, such as epiQTLs

Supporting Pharmacovigilance Signal Validation and Prioritization with Analyses of Routinely Collected Health Data: Lessons Learned from an EHDEN Network Study

Introduction: Individual case reports are the main asset in pharmacovigilance signal management. Signal validation is the first stage after signal detection and aims to determine if there is sufficient evidence to justify further assessment. Throughout signal management, a prioritization of signals is continually made. Routinely collected health data can provide relevant contextual information but are primarily used at a later stage in pharmacoepidemiological studies to assess communicated signals. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and utility of analysing routine health data from a multinational distributed network to support signal validation and prioritization and to reflect on key user requirements for these analyses to become an integral part of this process. Methods: Statistical signal detection was performed in VigiBase, the WHO global database of individual case safety reports, targeting generic manufacturer drugs and 16 prespecified adverse events. During a 5-day study-a-thon, signal validation and prioritization were performed using information from VigiBase, regulatory documents and the scientific literature alongside descriptive analyses of routine health data from 10 partners of the European Health Data and Evidence Network (EHDEN). Databases included in the study were from the UK, Spain, Norway, the Netherlands and Serbia, capturing records from primary care and/or hospitals. Results: Ninety-five statistical signals were subjected to signal validation, of which eight were considered for descriptive analyses in the routine health data. Design, execution and interpretation of results from these analyses took up to a few hours for each signal (of which 15–60 minutes were for execution) and informed decisions for five out of eight signals. The impact of insights from the routine health data varied and included possible alternative explanations, potential public health and clinical impact and feasibility of follow-up pharmacoepidemiological studies. Three signals were selected for signal assessment, two of these decisions were supported by insights from the routine health data. Standardization of analytical code, availability of adverse event phenotypes including bridges between different source vocabularies, and governance around the access and use of routine health data were identified as important aspects for future development. Conclusions: Analyses of routine health data from a distributed network to support signal validation and prioritization are feasible in the given time limits and can inform decision making. The cost–benefit of integrating these analyses at this stage of signal management requires further research

Chemical Diversity and Complexity of Scotch Whisky as Revealed by High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Scotch Whisky is an important product, both culturally and economically. Chemically, Scotch Whisky is a complex mixture, which comprises thousands of compounds, the nature of which are largely unknown. Here, we present a thorough overview of the chemistry of Scotch Whisky as observed by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS). Eighty-five whiskies, representing the majority of Scotch Whisky produced and sold, were analyzed by untargeted high-resolution mass spectrometry. Thousands of chemical formulae were assigned for each sample based on parts-per-billion mass accuracy of FT-ICR MS spectra. For the first time, isotopic fine structure analysis was used to confirm the assignment of high molecular weight CHOS species in Scotch Whisky. The assigned spectra were compared using a number of visualization techniques, including van Krevelen diagrams, double bond equivalence (DBE) plots, as well as heteroatomic compound class distributions. Additionally, multivariate analysis, including PCA and OPLS-DA, was used to interpret the data, with key compounds identified for discriminating between types of whisky (blend or malt) or maturation wood type. FT-ICR MS analysis of Scotch Whisky was shown to be of significant potential in further understanding of the complexity of mature spirit drinks and as a tool for investigating the chemistry of the maturation processes. [Figure: see text] ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13361-016-1513-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Targeted plant improvement through genome editing: from laboratory to field

This review illustrates how far we have come since the emergence of GE technologies and how they could be applied to obtain superior and sustainable crop production. The main challenges of today's agriculture are maintaining and raising productivity, reducing its negative impact on the environment, and adapting to climate change. Efficient plant breeding can generate elite varieties that will rapidly replace obsolete ones and address ongoing challenges in an efficient and sustainable manner. Site-specific genome editing in plants is a rapidly evolving field with tangible results. The technology is equipped with a powerful toolbox of molecular scissors to cut DNA at a pre-determined site with different efficiencies for designing an approach that best suits the objectives of each plant breeding strategy. Genome editing (GE) not only revolutionizes plant biology, but provides the means to solve challenges related to plant architecture, food security, nutrient content, adaptation to the environment, resistance to diseases and production of plant-based materials. This review illustrates how far we have come since the emergence of these technologies and how these technologies could be applied to obtain superior, safe and sustainable crop production. Synergies of genome editing with other technological platforms that are gaining significance in plants lead to an exciting new, post-genomic era for plant research and production. In previous months, we have seen what global changes might arise from one new virus, reminding us of what drastic effects such events could have on food production. This demonstrates how important science, technology, and tools are to meet the current time and the future. Plant GE can make a real difference to future sustainable food production to the benefit of both mankind and our environment.European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) CA18111info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

BacHBerry: BACterial Hosts for production of Bioactive phenolics from bERRY fruits

BACterial Hosts for production of Bioactive phenolics from bERRY fruits (BacHBerry) was a 3-year project funded by the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) of the European Union that ran between November 2013 and October 2016. The overall aim of the project was to establish a sustainable and economically-feasible strategy for the production of novel high-value phenolic compounds isolated from berry fruits using bacterial platforms. The project aimed at covering all stages of the discovery and pre-commercialization process, including berry collection, screening and characterization of their bioactive components, identification and functional characterization of the corresponding biosynthetic pathways, and construction of Gram-positive bacterial cell factories producing phenolic compounds. Further activities included optimization of polyphenol extraction methods from bacterial cultures, scale-up of production by fermentation up to pilot scale, as well as societal and economic analyses of the processes. This review article summarizes some of the key findings obtained throughout the duration of the project

ABSORBED DOSE DISTRIBUTION IN HUMAN EYE SIMULATED BY FOTELP-VOX CODE AND VERIFIED BY VOLUMETRIC MODULATED ARC THERAPY TREATMENT PLAN

This paper illustrates the potential of the FOTELP-VOX code, a modification of the gen-eral-purpose FOTELP code, combining Monte Carlo techniques to simulate particle trans-portation from an external source through the internal organs, resulting in a 3-D absorbed dose distribution. The study shows the comparison of results obtained by FOTELP software and the volumetric modulated arc therapy technique. This planning technique with two full arcs was applied, and the plan was created to destroy the diseased tissue in the eye tumor bed and avoid damage to surrounding healthy tissue, for one patient. The dose coverage, homoge-neity index, conformity index of the target, and the dose volumes of critical structures were calculated. Good agreement of the results for absorbed dose in the human eye was obtained using these two techniques