Effect of sulphur and nitrogen fertilization on bread-making quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties under Mediterranean climate conditions

Turkey has applied for EU-membership, but still faces problems of lacking quality standards for bread wheat. Studies on the influence of S-fertilization on grain yield and bread-making quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the region haven’t been carried out until today. This research was conducted for two growing seasons (2008-2009 and 2009-2010) at Adnan Menderes University Research and Experimental Farm located in the Western Turkey (Aegean region) at 37º 44’ N 27º 44’ E in order to determine the effects of nitrogen (0, 70, 140, 210 kg ha-1) supplemented with sulphur (0 or 40 kg ha-1) with respect to yield and bread-making quality of the varieties Golia and Sagittario, grown primarily in Western Turkey. S-fertilization had positive effects on grain yield and some quality parameters under Mediterranean conditions; however, signifi cant differencess were rather rare. Particularly the gluten-index and the sedimentation value promoted by S fertilization were among the tested parameters. Therefore, S-fertilization in improving bread-making quality of wheat in the region should not be disregarded. Grain yield and quality could be promoted simultaneously with increasing N-doses

Apoptosis-related proteins and steroid hormone receptors in normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic endometrium

Symposium of the International-Society-of-Gynecological-Pathologists -- FEB 04, 2002 -- CHICAGO, ILWOS: 000178179500007PubMed: 12352186The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distribution and frequency of apoptosis-related proteins and their correlation with estrogen, progesterone, and androgen receptors in endometrial tissues. Immunohistochemical analyses of bcl-2, bax, bcl-x, and steroid receptors were performed in 22 endometrial carcinomas, 26 endometrial hyperplasias, and 19 cases of normal cyclical endometrium. Bcl-2 was expressed in 45.4% of carcinomas and 92.3% of hyperplasias. Bax immunostaining was found in 90.9% of carcinomas and 76.9% of hyperplasias. Bcl-x positivity was similar in carcinomas (68.1%) and endometrial hyperplasias (76.9%). In nor-Mal cyclical endometria, bcl-2 staining was intense and diffuse in the proliferative phase, but decreased dramatically in the early and mid-secretory phase to reappear in the late secretory phase. Bax was expressed throughout the menstrual cycle but more strongly in the secretory phase. Bcl-x displayed a similar degree of expression in proliferative and secretory endometria. Nineteen carcinomas (86.3%), 25 hyperplasias (96.1%), and 18 normal cyclical endometria (94.7%) were positive for estrogen receptor (ER). Progesterone receptor (PR) was observed in 20 carcinomas (90.9%), all hyperplasias (100%), and 18 normal cyclical endometria (94.7%). Androgen receptor (AR) positivity was seen in 7 carcinomas (31.8%), 6 hyperplasias (23.0%), and 3 normal cyclical endometria (15.7%). There was a statistically positive correlation between bcl-x and ER and a tendency toward significant correlation between bcl-x and PR and between ER and PR in carcinomas. In hyperplasias, there was a significant positive correlation between bcl-2 and PR and between bcl-2 and bax and a negative correlation between ER and bax. There was a statistically significant difference for bcl-2 (p = 0.001) and bax (p = 0.001) between the hyperplasia and carcinoma groups. There was increased expression of bax. decreased expression of bcl-2, and persistence of bcl-x protein in advanced endometrial carcinomas. Our findings show that ovarian hormones have a regulatory role on bcl-2 protein and that there is a correlation between other members of the bcl-2 family (bcl-x and bax) and steroid hormone receptors. Bax/bcl-x may be the major control mechanisms of apoptosis in advanced carcinomas; other members of the bcl-2 family may also be under hormonal control.Int Soc Gynecol Pathologist

Fas-mediated pathway and apoptosis in normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic endometrium

WOS: 000186619800006PubMed: 14599860Introduction. Abnormalities in the control of cell proliferation and apoptosis have been suggested to contribute to the development and progression of neoplasia. There are at least two pathways that activate apoptosis. The first is a mitochondria-dependent route governed by bcl-2 family proteins. The second is a parallel mechanism which involves the activation of a group of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors, such as Fas. Aims. The aim of this study was to examine the distribution and interrelation between the expression patterns of apoptosis-related proteins such as Fas, caspase-3 (CPP32), and M30, and to investigate the role of Fas-mediated apoptosis in the pathogenesis and progression of endometrial neoplasms. Materials and methods. Using specific antibodies for Fas, caspase-3, and M30, we examined protein expressions in 29 endometrial carcinomas, 30 endometrial hyperplasias, and 21 normal cyclic endometria. The results of immunostaining for Fas and caspase-3 were analyzed semiquantitatively by using an immunohistochemical scoring system (HSCORE) that incorporated both the intensity and the distribution of specific staining. For M30, positive staining cells and extracellular particles were analyzed semiquantitatively per 10 high-power fields. Results. HSCOREs of Fas and caspase-3 were slightly higher in the secretory endometria than in the proliferative endometria. Similarly, M30 reactivity seemed to increase in the late secretory phase of the cycle. HSCOREs of Fas and caspase-3 and the reactivity of M30 were significantly higher in the carcinoma group than in the simple hyperplasia group (P < 0.05). Complex hyperplasias, however, expressed quite similar HSCOREs of Fas and caspase-3 as carcinomas. M30 reactivity was also significantly higher in complex hyperplasias than in simple hyperplasias, and in carcinomas positivity increased significantly (P < 0.05) as the grade progressed. Conclusions. The significant increase observed in Fas, caspase-3, and M30 expression in carcinomas as compared with simple hyperplasias may suggest that the Fas-related apoptotic pathway is also involved in the regulation of apoptosis in the endometrial tissue and promotes the development and progression of endometrial neoplasia. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Effect of nitrogen fertilization on winter wheat quality

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of nitrogen fertilizer applications on some quality components of wheat. For winter wheat genotypes (Ana Morava, Vizija, L-3027 and Perla) were grown at Small Grains Research Centre Kragujevac in three years (2005–2007) at three levels of nitrogen fertilization (N1 = 60 kg N ha−1, N2 = 90 kg N ha−1 and N3 = 120 kg N ha−1). Zeleny sedimentation value and wet gluten content in divergent wheat genotypes were analyzed in depending on the nitrogen nutrition and years. Nitrogen fertilization significantly increased sedimentation value and wet gluten content. The highest increasing of both traits established in N3 variant when applied 120 kg ha−1 of nitrogen. Genotypes reacted differently to N level increasing. Cultivar Perla had the highest value of sedimentation and wet gluten content and this cultivar the best reacted to increasing N levels. Statistically significant differences for sedimentation value and wet gluten content were found among cultivars, years, N-doses and for all their interactions. The results have shown that the best quality of wheat was with nitrogen applied of 120 kg N ha−1. Correlation between nitrogen applications and sedimentation value was significant (r = 0.208*), while between N-doses and wet gluten content was high significant (r = 0.290**). Sedimentation value and wet gluten content positively correlated (r = 0.783**)

Chemical composition and total phenols content of tartary buckwheat (fagopyrum tataricum gaertn) grown in different vegetation seasons

Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn) is an annual plant that is classified as a pseudocereal with high nutritional values. It is mainly cultivated in Asia, where grain and other parts of plants are used in traditional diet. In recent years, tartary buckwheat is grown on smaller areas and mostly in a mixture with common buckwheat in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The aim of this research was to determine the chemical composition and total phenols content of tartary buckwheat grown in different vegetation seasons. Field experiments were conducted in Donje Selo, near Ilijaš during 2011, 2012 and 2013 vegetation seasons. The results show that weather in some vegetation seasons have statistically significant effect on contents of protein and starch in kernel. The largest contents of protein were found in vegetation season with a lack of precipitation (2012 year), while the largest content of starch was recorded in years with relatively higher precipitation levels (2011 and 2013 years). Results show that total phenols content depended on the plant organ and vegetation season. The highest content was found in the flower (63.63 mg GAE g−1), while the smallest content was found in the kernel (5.03 mg GAE g−1)