Global economic crisis impact on organic food consumption in the Czech Republic

IntroductionThis study investigates the impact of the global economic crisis of 2008 on organic food consumption in the Czech Republic. The structure of this study includes general consumption attitudes and consumption of individual organic food items (organic milk). The goal of this study is to quantify the influence of selected income macroeconomic indicators on organic food consumption (in general and individually). This study is focused on analyzing how this impact changed after 2008 in both prospectives.MethodsMethodologically, the error correction methodology (ECM) has been applied. However, it has been modified to incorporate breakpoint analysis to model the impact of the global economic crisis on organic food consumption. Thus, the total consumption of organic food and consumption of organic milk has been investigated.ResultsEconometric verification of the estimated model proved that there was a statistically significant positive dependence of both indicators of organic food consumption on all the investigated indicators of income before 2008. Nonetheless, it was also proved that this dependence disappeared after the global economic recession in 2008. This retrospective analysis provides a valuable view of the mechanisms of organic food consumption changes caused by economic crises.DiscussionProspective repetition of the research with the data from the current crisis could enrich the theory of organic food consumption. On the one hand, the results of hypotheses testing could be verified, and thus, the mechanisms of consumer reactions to the crisis could be identified, and the model of reaction to the next crisis cycle could be developed so as not to harm radically this sector. On the other hand, the results of hypothesis testing could be denied, and thus, the evolution in organic food perception and consumption could be stated. In this case, the need to revise the so-far formulated theoretical approaches would be proved

Molecular and Cytogenetic Characterization of Wild Musa Species

The production of bananas is threatened by rapid spreading of various diseases and adverse environmental conditions. The preservation and characterization of banana diversity is essential for the purposes of crop improvement. The world's largest banana germplasm collection maintained at the Bioversity International Transit Centre (ITC) in Belgium is continuously expanded by new accessions of edible cultivars and wild species. Detailed morphological and molecular characterization of the accessions is necessary for efficient management of the collection and utilization of banana diversity. In this work, nuclear DNA content and genomic distribution of 45S and 5S rDNA were examined in 21 diploid accessions recently added to ITC collection, representing both sections of the genus Musa. 2C DNA content in the section Musa ranged from 1.217 to 1.315 pg. Species belonging to section Callimusa had 2C DNA contents ranging from 1.390 to 1.772 pg. While the number of 45S rDNA loci was conserved in the section Musa, it was highly variable in Callimusa species. 5S rRNA gene clusters were found on two to eight chromosomes per diploid cell. The accessions were genotyped using a set of 19 microsatellite markers to establish their relationships with the remaining accessions held at ITC. Genetic diversity done by SSR genotyping platform was extended by phylogenetic analysis of ITS region. ITS sequence data supported the clustering obtained by SSR analysis for most of the accessions. High level of nucleotide diversity and presence of more than two types of ITS sequences in eight wild diploids pointed to their origin by hybridization of different genotypes. This study significantly expands the number of wild Musa species where nuclear genome size and genomic distribution of rDNA loci is known. SSR genotyping identified Musa species that are closely related to the previously characterized accessions and provided data to aid in their classification. Sequence analysis of ITS region provided further information about evolutionary relationships between individual accessions and suggested that some of analyzed accessions were interspecific hybrids and/or backcross progeny.Peer reviewe

Chromosome-scale genome assembly provides insights into rye biology, evolution and agronomic potential

Rye (Secale cereale L.) is an exceptionally climate-resilient cereal crop, used extensively to produce improved wheat varieties via introgressive hybridization and possessing the entire repertoire of genes necessary to enable hybrid breeding. Rye is allogamous and only recently domesticated, thus giving cultivated ryes access to a diverse and exploitable wild gene pool. To further enhance the agronomic potential of rye, we produced a chromosome-scale annotated assembly of the 7.9-gigabase rye genome and extensively validated its quality by using a suite of molecular genetic resources. We demonstrate applications of this resource with a broad range of investigations. We present findings on cultivated rye's incomplete genetic isolation from wild relatives, mechanisms of genome structural evolution, pathogen resistance, low-temperature tolerance, fertility control systems for hybrid breeding and the yield benefits of rye-wheat introgressions.Peer reviewe

Vliv chelatu Mn, Zn a Cr na ukazatele krve, kvalitu skorapky a mineralni profil kosti kuric a slepic

In two experiments we studied the effect of the substitution of part of daily Mn, Zn and Cr requirements for chelates on the biochemical, hematological and acid-base parameters of blood and blood plasma, on the length and weight of selected bones and their mineral profile and, at the same time, on the mineral composition of the eggshell of pullets and hens. The effect of organic chromium was studied only in the first experiment. 1/Biochemical blood indicators include the level of total plasma protein and glucose, activity of alkalic phosphatase and aminotranspherase, levels of plasma sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc. 2/Differences among the indicators of acid-base balance were not statistically significant 3/Hematological indicators include erythrocytes, hematocrit values, content of hemoglobin and leukocyte count. 4/ The length and weight of the breast and leg bones increased insignificantly during the laying period. Bones were the longest in hens given feed rations where chelate substituted 50% of manganese. 5/Mineral profile of the breast bone. 6/The experimental measures did not statistically significantly affect the mineral profile of the eggshell, where we studied the levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, manganese and zincAvailable from STL Prague, CZ / NTK - National Technical LibrarySIGLECZCzech Republi

Advances in Proteomic Techniques for Cytokine Analysis: Focus on Melanoma Research

Melanoma is a skin cancer with permanently increasing incidence and resistance to therapies in advanced stages. Reports of spontaneous regression and tumour infiltration with T-lymphocytes makes melanoma candidate for immunotherapies. Cytokines are key factors regulating immune response and intercellular communication in tumour microenvironment. Cytokines may be used in therapy of melanoma to modulate immune response. Cytokines also possess diagnostic and prognostic potential and cytokine production may reflect effects of immunotherapies. The purpose of this review is to give an overview of recent advances in proteomic techniques for the detection and quantification of cytokines in melanoma research. Approaches covered span from mass spectrometry to immunoassays for single molecule detection (ELISA, western blot), multiplex assays (chemiluminescent, bead-based (Luminex) and planar antibody arrays), ultrasensitive techniques (Singulex, Simoa, immuno-PCR, proximity ligation/extension assay, immunomagnetic reduction assay), to analyses of single cells producing cytokines (ELISpot, flow cytometry, mass cytometry and emerging techniques for single cell secretomics). Although this review is focused mainly on cancer and particularly melanoma, the discussed techniques are in general applicable to broad research field of biology and medicine, including stem cells, development, aging, immunology and intercellular communication

The slowdown of Y chromosome expansion in dioecious Silene latifolia due to DNA loss and male-specific silencing of retrotransposons

Abstract Background The rise and fall of the Y chromosome was demonstrated in animals but plants often possess the large evolutionarily young Y chromosome that is thought has expanded recently. Break-even points dividing expansion and shrinkage phase of plant Y chromosome evolution are still to be determined. To assess the size dynamics of the Y chromosome, we studied intraspecific genome size variation and genome composition of male and female individuals in a dioecious plant Silene latifolia, a well-established model for sex-chromosomes evolution. Results Our genome size data are the first to demonstrate that regardless of intraspecific genome size variation, Y chromosome has retained its size in S. latifolia. Bioinformatics study of genome composition showed that constancy of Y chromosome size was caused by Y chromosome DNA loss and the female-specific proliferation of recently active dominant retrotransposons. We show that several families of retrotransposons have contributed to genome size variation but not to Y chromosome size change. Conclusions Our results suggest that the large Y chromosome of S. latifolia has slowed down or stopped its expansion. Female-specific proliferation of retrotransposons, enlarging the genome with exception of the Y chromosome, was probably caused by silencing of highly active retrotransposons in males and represents an adaptive mechanism to suppress degenerative processes in the haploid stage. Sex specific silencing of transposons might be widespread in plants but hidden in traditional hermaphroditic model plants