Immunodetection of some pectic, arabinogalactan proteins and hemicellulose epitopes in the micropylar transmitting tissue of apomictic dandelions (Taraxacum, Asteraceae, Lactuceae)

In apomictic Taraxacum species, the development of both the embryo and the endosperm does not require double fertilisation. However, a structural reduction of ovular transmitting tissue was not observed in apomictic dandelions. The aim of this study was to analyse the chemical composition of the cell walls to describe the presence of arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs), hemicellulose and some pectic epitopes in the micropylar transmitting tissue of apomictic Taraxacum. The results point to (1) the similar distribution of AGPs in different developmental stages, (2) the absence of highly methyl-esterified homogalacturonan (HG) in transmitting tissue of ovule containing a mature embryo sac and the appearance of this pectin domain in the young seed containing the embryo and endosperm, (3) the similar pattern of low methyl-esterified pectin occurrence in both an ovule and a young seed with an embryo and endosperm in apomictic Taraxacum and (4) the presence of hemicelluloses recognised by LM25 and LM21 antibodies in the reproductive structure of Taraxacum

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Exercise capacity reflects airflow limitation rather than hypoxaemia in patients with pulmonary arteriovenous malformations

Background: Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) generate a right-to-left shunt. Impaired gas exchange results in hypoxemia and impaired CO2 clearance. Most patients compensate effectively but a proportion are dyspneic, and these are rarely the most hypoxaemic. Aim: To test degrees of concurrent pathology influencing exercise capacity. Design: Replicate, sequential single centre, prospective studies. Methods: Cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) were performed in 26 patients with PAVMs, including individuals with and without known airflow obstruction. To replicate, relationships were tested prospectively in an independent cohort where self-reported exercise capacity evaluated by the Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire (VSAQ) was used to calculate metabolic equivalents at peak exercise (METS N = 71). Additional measurements included oxygen saturation (SpO2), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), vital capacity (VC), exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), haemoglobin and iron indices. Results: By CPET, the peak work-rate was only minimally associated with low SpO2 or low arterial oxygen content (CaO2=1.34 x SpO2 x haemoglobin), but was reduced in patients with low FEV1 or VC. Supranormal work-rates were seen in patients with severe right-to-left shunting and SpO2 80% predicted. VSAQ-calculated METS also demonstrated little relationship with SpO2, and in crude and CaO2-adjusted regression, were lower in patients with lower FEV1 or VC. Bronchodilation increased airflow even where spirometry was in the normal range: exhaled nitric oxide measurements were normal in 80% of cases, and unrelated to any PAVM-specific variable. Conclusions: Exercise capacity is reduced by relatively mild airflow limitation (obstructive or restrictive) in the setting of PAVMs

Protein and folic acid content in the maternal diet determine lipid metabolism and response to high-fat feeding in rat progeny in an age-dependent manner

Maternal diet during gestation can exert a long-term effect on the progeny’s health by programming their developmental scheme and metabolism. The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of maternal diet on lipid metabolism in 10- and 16-week-old rats. Pregnant dams were fed one of four diets: a normal protein and normal folic acid diet (NP-NF), a protein-restricted and normal folic acid diet (PR-NF), a protein-restricted and folic-acid-supplemented diet (PR-FS), or a normal protein and folic-acid-supplemented diet (NP-FS). We also tested whether prenatal nutrition determines the reaction of an organism to a postweaning high-fat diet. Blood biochemistry and biometrical parameters were evaluated. The expression patterns of PPARα, PPARγ, and LXRα in the liver and adipose tissue were examined by real-time PCR. In the 10-week-old, rats folic acid supplementation of the maternal diet was associated with reduced circulating glucose and total cholesterol concentrations (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). Neither prenatal diets nor postnatal feeding affected blood insulin concentrations. In the 16-week-old rats, body weight, abdominal fat mass and central adiposity were reduced in the progeny of the folic acid–supplemented dams (P < 0.01, P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively). Maternal protein restriction had no effect on biometry or blood biochemical parameters. Folic acid supplementation of the maternal diet was associated with reduced expression of PPARα, PPARγ, and LXRα in the liver (P < 0.001). Reduced protein content in the maternal diet was associated with increased PPARα mRNA level in the liver (P < 0.001) and reduced LXRα in adipose tissue (P < 0.01). PPARα and PPARγ transcription in the liver, as well as LXRα transcription in adipose tissue, was also dependent on interaction effects between prenatal and postnatal diet compositions. PPARγ transcription in the liver was correlated with the abdominal fat mass, body weight, and calorie intake, while PPARγ transcription in adipose tissue was correlated with reduced body weight and calorie intake. Total serum cholesterol concentration was correlated with LXRα transcription in the liver. Folic acid supplementation of the maternal diet may have favorable effects for lipid metabolism in the progeny, but these effects are modified by the postnatal diet and age. Furthermore, the expression of LXRα, PPARα, and PPARγ in the liver and adipose tissue largely depends on the protein and folic acid content in the maternal diet during gestation. However, the altered transcription profile of these key regulators of lipid metabolism does not straightforwardly explain the observed phenotype

Effect of white clover varieties on yielding and fodder value of its mixtures with grasses

Соответствующие исследования проводились в окрестностях г. Вроцлава в 1978-1980 гг. на средней пылеватой аллювиальной почве подстепенной песком. Оценивали влияние сортов клевера белого: Аля, Бабиньска, Подкова, Радзиковска, Рема на урожайность клеверо-злаковых смесей в зависимости от уровня азотного удобрения. Результаты исследований показали, что клеверо-злаковые смеси могут давать урожаи на соответствующем уровне при ограниченном азотном удобрении. Урожайность тесно связана с сортом клевера белого. Высшие урожаи давали крупнолистьевые сорта (Бабиньска и Радзиковска) Внесение 240 кг N на гекиар вытесняет из травостоя клевер белый, а урожай клеверо-злаковых смесей разнятся немногим друг от друга. Клеверо-злаковые смеси обеспечивают высокую продукцию общего белка и овсяных единиц.The respective tests were carried out in 1978-1980 in the region of Wrocław on medium silty alluvial soil underlain with sand. The effect of white clover varieties (Ala, Babińska, Podkowa, Radzikowska, Rema) on yielding of clover-grass mixtures depending on the nitrogen fertilization was estimated. The results of investigations have proved that the clover-grass mixtures can give higher yields at limited nitrogen fertilization. Yielding was closely connected with white clover variety. Higher yields were obtained from large-leaved varieties (Babińska and Radzikowska). Application of the nitrogen rate of 240 kg N/ha eliminated white clover off the sward, while the yields of grass and clover-grass mixtures differed only slightly from one another. The clover-grass mixtures ensure a high yield of total protein and oat units

Zywnosc nowej generacji a racjonalne zywienie

W artykule przedstawiono propozycję klasyfikacji żywności nowej generacji ze względu na znaczenie w racjonalnym żywieniu, zasygnalizowano korzyści i zagrożenia związane z jej stosowaniem oraz wskazano priorytetowe kierunki badań w tym zakresie.This paper presents a suggested way of classification for the new generation foods considering it's importance for rational nutrition, also mentions benefits and risk of it's use and indicates the trends of research on that field

Wplyw blonnika pokarmowego na organizm szczurow doswiadczalnych intoksykowanych olowiem

The factorial experiment (23) was used to study on influence of dietary fibre on rats intoxicated with lead. The experimental variables included: the source of fibre (fruit and corn), amount of fibre (50 and 150 g/kg diet), and lead level in the diet (200 and 400 mg/kg diet). The source of fibre was found to influence the relative liver weight, food transit time, apparent digestibility, and the spleen lead and hair lead contents in rats. The amount of fibre in the diet significantly affect- ed the diet intake (P<0.05), relative liver (P<0.05) and kidneys (P˂0.01) weights, apparent digestibility (P˂0.01), stool dry output (P˂0.01), and the inner organ and tissue lead contents (P<0.01) in rats. Dietary lead level influenced the fecal excretion of lead, tissue and organ lead contents, and the total body retention of lead.Celem badań było określenie wpływu dodatku błonnika pokarmowego do diety na organizm szczurów doświadczalnych intoksykowanych ołowiem. W doświadczeniu trój czynnikowym, szczury (samce) rasy Wistar żywiono dietami różniącymi się ilością (5% i 15% masy diety) i rodzajem błonnika pokarmowego (owocowy, kukurydziany) oraz poziomem skażenia ołowiem (200 i 400 mg Pb/kg diety). Wyniki badań przedstawiono w tabelach 1-3. Stwierdzono, że: spożywanie diet zawierających błonnik owocowy, w porównaniu z kukurydzianym, powodowało istotne zwiększenie względnej masy wątroby, wydłużenie czasu pasażu jelitowego i zwiększenie strawności ogólnej diety oraz zawartości ołowiu w śledzionie i sierści szczura. Zwierzęta przebywające na dietach bogatoresztkowych (15%), w porównaniu do niskobłonnikowych (5%), spożywały więcej paszy i odznaczały się mniejszą względną masą wątroby i nerek. Strawność ogólna diet wysokobłonnikowych była istotnie niższa co wpłynęło na wzrost masy wydalonego kału. Zawartość ołowiu w narządach wewnętrznych i tkankach szczura była znacząco niższa u zwierząt żywionych pokarmem z większym dodatkiem błonnika. Wyższy poziom intoksykacji diet ołowiem powodował istotny wzrost absorpcji jelitowej oraz zwiększenie koncentracji tego metalu we wszystkich badanych tkankach i narządach u szczura. Wyniki badań wskazują na istotny wpływ błonnika pokarmowego na wchłanianie i kumulację ołowiu w organizmie szczura oraz na możliwą ochronną rolę tego składnika żywności w zatruciach ołowiem

Charakterystyka warunkow klimatyczno-siedliskowych pastwiska w Sudeckim Rolniczym Zakladzie Doswiadczalnym - Radomierz k.Jeleniej Gory

W warunkach górskich bardzo często obserwuje się duże zróżnicowanie fizjograficzne na małej powierzchni. Użytki zielone występują na różnych wysokościach przy różnym spadku i wystawie. Z tego względu również warunki klimatyczne są zróżnicowane. W latach 1994 i 1995 przebieg pogody był mało korzystny dla rozwoju roślin, wystąpiły okresy posuchy, a nawet część roślin na stokach południowych wyschła. Rok 1996 był bardzo mokry, ale równocześnie bardzo zimny. Specyficzne warunki tego regionu utrudniają prace polowe, głównie pielęgnację i zbiór roślin, zwłaszcza pastewnych i zielonki na siano. Gleby pastwiska SRZD Radomierz charakteryzują się małym zróżnicowaniem typologicznym. Można wyróżnić dwie zasadnicze grupy gleb: litosole i rankery oraz brunatne kwaśne. Wszystkie gleby zalicza się do bardzo kwaśnych i kwaśnych o niskiej zasobności w przyswajalny fosfor, dobrej w potas i magnez. Gleby te ponadto są dostatecznie zasobne w ważniejsze mikroelementy.It is very often observed that under mountain conditions large physiographic differences occur on small area. Grasslands are situated at various altitudes, slopes and expositions. Hence the climatic conditions are also diverse. In 1994 and 1995 the weather was not favourable for plant growth, drought periods occurred and part of the vegetation on southern slopes shrivelled up. The year 1996 was very wet, but also very cold. The specific conditions of the region make field work difficult, mainly cultivation and harvesting of forage crops and green crops for hay. Small topological diversity is characteristic for the soil of pastures at Radomierz Experimental Farm. Two main soil groups can be named: lithosols and rankers and acidic brown soils. The soils are classified as very acidic at low content of available phosphorus but good content of potassium and magnesium. Those soils are sufficiently rich in the main microelements