Molecular cytogenetic characterisation of Salix viminalis L. using repetitive DNA sequences

Abstract Salix viminalis L. (2n=38) is a diploid dicot species belonging to the Salix genus of the Salicaceae family. This short-rotation woody crop is one of the most important renewable bioenergy resources worldwide. In breeding for high biomass productivity, limited knowledge is available on the molecular cytogenetics of willow, which could be combined with genetic linkage mapping. The present paper describes the adaptation of a fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) protocol as a new approach to analyse the genomic constitution of Salix viminalis using the heterologous DNA clones pSc119.2, pTa71, pTa794, pAs1, Afafamily, pAl1, HT100.3, ZCF1 and the GAA microsatellite marker. Three of the nine probes showed unambiguous signals on the metaphase chromosomes. FISH analysis with the pTa71 probe detected one major 18S-5.8S-26S rDNA locus on the short arm of one chromosome pair; however, the pTa794 rDNA site was not visible. One chromosome pair showed a distinct signal around the centromeric region after FISH with the telomere-specific DNA clone HT100.3. Two chromosome pairs were found to have pAs1 FISH signals, which represent a D-genome-specific insert from Aegilops tauschii. Based on the FISH study, a set of chromosomes with characteristic patterns is presented, which could be used to establish the karyotype of willow species

A stresszválasz hipotalamikus szabályozása = Hypothalamic regulation of the stress response

Vizsgálatainkban funkcionális neuroanatómiai és molekuláris biológiai technikák kombinációjával vizsgáltuk különböző stresszorok hatását a hipotalamusz paraventrikuláris magjának (PVN) a neuroendokrin és a vegetativ szabályozásban szerepet játszó neuroncsoportjaira. Elektronmikroszkópos technikákkal kimutattuk, hogy a neuroendokrin stresszválasz elindításáért felelős kortikotropin-releasing hormont (CRH) termelő idegsejteken GABAerg axonok végződnek és ezek száma, elhelyezkedési mintázata változik krónikus stresszben. A CRH neuronok szomszédságában hisztaminerg axonokat is feltérképeztünk, de ezek nem képeznek szinaptikus kapcsolatot a stresszel kapcsolatos hipotalamikus neuronokkal. A hisztamin hiány hisztidin dekarboxylase génkiütött egerek (HDC-KO) esetében nem okoz eltérést sem a stressz-, sem az anyagcsere szabályozásában szereplő hipotalamikus neuropeptidek expressziójában, mégis az állatokon olyan metabolikus fenotípus alakul ki, melynek jellemzői az elhízás, a glükóz intolerancia és a hiperleptinémia. Leírtuk, hogy a GABAerg gátló tónus felfüggesztése, valamint fizikális-, metabolikus- és immunstresszorok eltérő módon aktiválják a paraventrikuláris mag funkcionálisan különböző neuroncsoportjait és a CRH valamint az arginin vazopresszin (AVP) gének időben és térben eltérő indukcióját eredményezik a PVN-ben. Organotipikus hipotalamusz szelet tenyészeteken igazoltuk, hogy a szteroidok CRH expressziót gátló hatása közvetlenül a parvocelluláris neuronokon érvényesül | The effect of different stress challenges on the functionally distinct cell population in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) has been studied by combination of anatomical and molecular biological methods. GABAergic terminals have been revealed on the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) synthesizing neurons. The number and spatial distribution of these terminals has been changed after chronic stress. Histaminergic boutons have been identified in close apposition to CRH neurons without any synaptic contact. Lack of histamine in histidine decarboxylase knockout (HDC-KO) mice results in a metabolic phenotype with visceral obesity, glucose intolerance and hiperleptinemia without any detectable changes in the expression of neuropeptides involved in stress or metabolic regulation. We have revealed that suspension of inhibitory GABAergic tone, as well as physical, immune and metabolic challenges differentially recruit functionally distinct domains of the PVN and result in spatially and temporally different upregulation pattern of CRH and AVP genes. Using organotypic hypothalamic slice cultures we have provided evidence for the direct inhibitory effect of corticosteroid hormones on the CRH gene expression in the parvocellular neurons

Adatok teák (Thea sinensis) ásvány tartalmához különös tekintettel a nehézfémekre

1. D er echte Tee des H andelsverkehrs en th ält gewöhnlich 15 — 60 mg K upfer, 40 — 80 mg Zink, 100 — 400 mg Eisen und 2 — 10 mg Blei pro K ilogram m . In A n b etrach t der geringen Menge des konsum ierten Tees, ü b t dieser M etallgehalt keine G iftw irkung aus. Die Menge des A rsens im Tee b eträg t w eniger als 1 mg pro kg.* 2. D er Calcium gehalt des Tees stim m t m it den L iteratur-A ngaben überein. D er Calcium gehalt des Tee-Aufgusses ist äussert gering, der Tee spielt daher als Calciumquelle in unserer E rnährung nur eine un ­ bedeutende Rolle

Mineral element content and antioxidant capacity of some Latvian berries

Berries are widely used in prevention and in adjuvant therapy of different diseases nowadays because of their valuable bioactive agents and antioxidant, antitumor, antiinflammatory properties, nevertheless frequently without medical control. The aim of our study was to determine the element content and antioxidant activities in some Latvian berries (blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum L., bilberry, Vaccinium myrtillus L. and red berry, Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.). Element content was measured by ICP-OES. Total antioxidant activity was determined by chemiluminometry and hydrogen-donating ability was measured by spectrophotometry. The examined berries contain elements in relatively low concentrations and the consumption of these kind of berries is also poor, although they could be good source for some essential elements: blueberry for Mo, bilberry for Li, Mn, Mo and red berry for Cr, Li, Mn, Mo. On the other hand, they have good antioxidant properties, especially bilberry. Beneficial antioxidant capacities and moderate metal ion concentrations support that berries can complete the diverse diet, and they may be a good supplement in some metal-accumulating disorders

NO-degradation by alfalfa class 1 hemoglobin (Mhb1): a possible link to PR-1a gene expression in Mhb1-overproducing tobacco plants

AbstractTobacco plants overproducing alfalfa class 1 hemoglobin (HOT plants) have been shown to have reduced necrotic symptom development. Here, we show that this altered pathogenic response is linked to a significant increase in the nitric oxide (NO)-affected pathogenesis-related (PR-1a) transcript accumulation in the transgenic plants. Homogenates of HOT transgenic seedlings were also found to have higher NO-scavenging activity than non-transformed ones. The NO-scavenging properties of recombinant alfalfa class1 hemoglobin have been examined. Recombinant Mhb1 (rMhb1) was produced in bacteria and purified using polyethylene glycol (10–25%) fractionation, chromatography on DEAE–Sephacel, and Phenyl Superose columns. After the final purification step, the obtained preparations were near homogeneous and had a molecular weight of 44 kDa determined by size-exclusion chromatography and 23 kDa by SDS–PAGE, indicating that rMhb1 is a dimer. The protein participated in NO-degradation activity with NAD(P)H as a cofactor. After ion-exchange columns, addition of FAD was necessary for exhibiting maximal NO-degradation activity. The NAD(P)H-dependent NO-scavenging activity of rMhb1, which is similar to that of barley hemoglobin, supports a conclusion that both monocot and dicot class 1 hemoglobins can affect cellular NO levels by scavenging NO formed during hypoxia, pathogen attack and other stresses

On the identity and distribution of the rare Rymosia tolleti Burghele-Balacesco, 1965 (Diptera, Mycetophilidae) encountered in European caves

The identity and distribution of a neglected fungus gnat species, Rymosia tolleti Burghele-Balacesco, 1965, in Europe is reviewed based on examination of newly collected specimens as well as available museum materials. Rymosia tolleti is widespread but rather rare in Central Europe, with confirmed records from Romania, Slovakia, Germany, and France. All the specimens with known collection details originate from cave environments. Detailed photographs of the male terminalia are provided for the first time, along with two unique DNA barcodes for the species

Microglial control of neuronal development via somatic purinergic junctions

Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, play important roles during development. Although bi-directional communication between microglia and neuronal progenitors or immature neurons has been demonstrated, the main sites of interaction and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. By using advanced methods, here we provide evidence that microglial processes form specialized contacts with the cell bodies of developing neurons throughout embryonic, early postnatal, and adult neurogenesis. These early developmental contacts are highly reminiscent of somatic purinergic junctions that are instrumental for microglia-neuron communication in the adult brain. The formation and maintenance of these junctions is regulated by functional microglial P2Y12 receptors, and deletion of P2Y12Rs disturbs proliferation of neuronal precursors and leads to aberrant cortical cytoarchitecture during development and in adulthood. We propose that early developmental formation of somatic purinergic junctions represents an important interface for microglia to monitor the status of immature neurons and control neurodevelopment