Genetic characterization of early maturing maize hybrids (Zea mays L.) obtained by protein and RAPD markers

Knowledge of maize germplasm genetic diversity is important for planning breeding programmes, germplasm conservation per se etc. Genetic variability of maize hybrids grown in the fields is also very important because genetic uniformity implies risks of genetic vulnerability to stress factors and can cause great losts in yield. Early maturing maize hybrids are characterized by shorter vegetation period and they are grown in areas with shorter vegetation season. Because of different climatic conditions in these areas lines and hybrids are developed with different features in respect to drought resistance and disease resistance. The objective of our study was to characterize set of early maturing maize hybrids with protein and RAPD markers and to compare this clasification with their pedigree information. RAPD markers gave significantly higher rate of polymorphism than protein markers. Better corelation was found among pedigree information and protein markers

Istraživanje procesa umjetničkoga stvaralaštva: proces u kontekst

The aim of this paper was to explore the process of artistic creativity. We conducted focus groups with artists from different fields of art. A total of 23 artists participated, who were divided into three focus groups (architecture and design, visual arts and performing arts). This qualitative research method provided us with an insight into aspects of creative process that artists perceive as the most important. In the analysis of their creative process, the artists described their approaches to artistic creativity, from the development of an idea to the production of a piece of art, emphasizing the biggest challenges they face in their work. In this paper, we present the most important insights into the process of artistic creativity.fokus-grupe s umjetnicima različitih područja umjetnosti. Ukupno je sudjelovalo 23 umjetnika koji su bili raspodijeljeni u tri fokus-grupe (arhitektura i dizajn, vizualne umjetnosti te izvedbene umjetnosti). Primjena kvalitativne istraživačke metode omogućila nam je uvid u teme koje umjetnici doživljavaju najvažnijima u svojem stvaralačkom procesu. U analizi svojega kreativnog procesa umjetnici su opisali svoje pristupe umjetničkom stvaralaštvu, od razvoja ideje do izvedbe umjetničkoga djela, pri čemu su istakli i najveće izazove s kojima se u svojem radu suočavaju. U ovom radu izlažemo najvažnije spoznaje o procesu umjetničkog stvaralaštva

Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles 2018 (MISEV2018):a position statement of the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles and update of the MISEV2014 guidelines

The last decade has seen a sharp increase in the number of scientific publications describing physiological and pathological functions of extracellular vesicles (EVs), a collective term covering various subtypes of cell-released, membranous structures, called exosomes, microvesicles, microparticles, ectosomes, oncosomes, apoptotic bodies, and many other names. However, specific issues arise when working with these entities, whose size and amount often make them difficult to obtain as relatively pure preparations, and to characterize properly. The International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) proposed Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles (“MISEV”) guidelines for the field in 2014. We now update these “MISEV2014” guidelines based on evolution of the collective knowledge in the last four years. An important point to consider is that ascribing a specific function to EVs in general, or to subtypes of EVs, requires reporting of specific information beyond mere description of function in a crude, potentially contaminated, and heterogeneous preparation. For example, claims that exosomes are endowed with exquisite and specific activities remain difficult to support experimentally, given our still limited knowledge of their specific molecular machineries of biogenesis and release, as compared with other biophysically similar EVs. The MISEV2018 guidelines include tables and outlines of suggested protocols and steps to follow to document specific EV-associated functional activities. Finally, a checklist is provided with summaries of key points

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Genetic divergence of different temporal cycles of selection

Since the mid 1960's, when the Maize Research Institute "Zemun Polje" began its maize breeding activities, there have been five cycles of selection primarily referring to the period of introducing new, higher-yield hybrids into mass production. This paper provides genetic characterization Of 30 maize hybrids developed by the Maize Research Institute "ZenlUn Polje", by RAID markers, in order to determine genetic relatedness of hybrids of different breeding cycles. The Jaccard similarity coefficients have been Computed and used for Cluster analysis by UPGMA and by Wards' method, discriminant analysis and correspondence analysis. Cluster analysis clearly delineates groups of hybrids by time cycles, while the correspondence analysis indicates that a division into three cycles Could be more adequate. The territorial map of the discrimination area, reduced to two dimensions, is an indication of the proximity between the cycles III and IV. Also the proximity of group centroids, of different cycles, by delineation lines indicates that the discrimination among groups is not so strong. The results Of all three analysis indicate that in genetic terms there -,ire three different selection cycles. Introduction of novel germ plasma into existing breeding material implies, in genetic terms, a beginning of new selection cycle

Altered Root Growth, Auxin Metabolism and Distribution in Arabidopsis thaliana Exposed to Salt and Osmotic Stress

Salt and osmotic stress are the main abiotic stress factors affecting plant root growth and architecture. We investigated the effect of salt (100 mM NaCl) and osmotic (200 mM mannitol) stress on the auxin metabolome by UHPLC-MS/MS, auxin distribution by confocal microscopy, and transcript levels of selected genes by qRT-PCR in Arabidopsis thaliana ecotype Columbia-0 (Col-0) and DR5rev::GFP (DR5) line. During long-term stress (13 days), a stability of the auxin metabolome and a tendency to increase indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) were observed, especially during salt stress. Short-term stress (3 h) caused significant changes in the auxin metabolome, especially NaCl treatment resulted in a significant reduction of IAA. The data derived from auxin profiling were consistent with gene expressions showing the most striking changes in the transcripts of YUC, GH3, and UGT transcripts, suggesting disruption of auxin biosynthesis, but especially in the processes of amide and ester conjugation. These data were consistent with the auxin distribution observed in the DR5 line. Moreover, NaCl treatment caused a redistribution of auxin signals from the quiescent center and the inner layers of the root cap to the epidermal and cortical cells of the root elongation zone. The distribution of PIN proteins was also disrupted by salt stress; in particular, PIN2 was suppressed, even after 5 min of treatment. Based on our results, the DR5 line was more sensitive to the applied stresses than Col-0, although both lines showed similar trends in root morphology, as well as transcriptome and metabolome parameters under stress conditions