Growth and Anatomical Parameters of Adventitious Roots Formed on Mung Bean Hypocotyls Are Correlated with Galactoglucomannan Oligosaccharides Structure

The effect of galactoglucomannan oligosaccharides (GGMOs) compared with chemically modified oligosaccharides, GGMOs-g (with reduced number of D-galactose side chains) and GGMOs-r (with reduced reducing ends) on mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek) adventitious roots formation, elongation, and anatomical structure have been studied. All types of oligosaccharides influenced adventitious root formation in the same way: stimulation in the absence of exogenous auxin and inhibition in the presence of exogenous auxin. Both reactions are probably related with the presence/content of endogenous auxin in plant cuttings. However, the adventitious root length was inhibited by GGMOs both in the absence as well as in the presence of auxin (IBA or NAA), while GGMOs-g inhibition was significantly weaker compared with GGMOs. GGMOs-r were without significant difference on both processes, compared with GGMOs. GGMOs affected not only the adventitious root length but also their anatomy in dependence on the combination with certain type of auxin. The oligosaccharides influenced cortical cells division, which was reflected in the cortex area and in the root diameter. All processes followed were dependent on oligosaccharides chemical structure. The results suggest also that GGM-derived oligosaccharides may play an important role in adventitious roots elongation but not in their formation

Reflexivity and the construction of competing discourses of masculinity in a female-dominated profession

This paper contributes to the debates on reflexivity and change by extending our understanding of (non-)reflexivity mechanisms in the discursive constructions of gender. Specifically, I explore how and why women persistently construct contradictory discursive accounts of men and masculinity in a female-dominated profession of counselling psychology in Russia. Drawing on the concept of ‘interpretative repertoires’ I argue that female counsellors construct different kinds of masculinities based on three ‘repertoires’: psycho-biological, structural and relational. I demonstrate how these constructions of masculinity are imbued with different meanings and are used to explain only certain contexts, which precludes women's ability to reflect on their contradictory nature. I conclude by discussing how an exploration of discursive (non-)reflexivity extends our understanding of the conditions for gender transformation

Upalni i hematotoksični potencijal metabolita plijesni Stachybotrys chartarum (Ehrenb.) Hughes u zatvorenim prostorijama

Mould Stachybotrys chartarum (Ehrenb.) Hughes is known to pose a health risk in indoor environments. Most of its strains can produce several intra- and extracellular trichothecene mycotoxins. Complex secondary metabolites of stachybotrys isolates from mouldy dwellings/public buildings in Slovakia were intratracheally instilled in Wistar male rats (4 μg in 0.2 mL of 0.2 % dimethylsulphoxide; diacetoxyscirpenol as the positive control). After three days, haematological parameters were measured in peripheral blood and infl ammatory response biomarkers in bronchoalveolar lavage fl uid (BALF), and the results were statistically analysed. Exometabolites proved to suppress red blood cell (RBC), decreasing the total RBC count, haemoglobin, and haematocrit. The exposed rats showed signifi cantly higher total BALF cell count, indicating infl ammation, lower alveolar macrophage counts, and increased granulocyte count related to the BALF cells. Due to haematotoxic and infl ammation-inducing properties, metabolites of S. chartarum can cause damage to the airways and haematological disorders in occupants of mouldy buildings.Plijesan Stachybotrys chartarum (Ehrenb.) Hughes poznata je kao rizični mikroorganizam u zatvorenim prostorijama. Većina njezinih sojeva može proizvesti nekoliko unutarstaničnih i izvanstaničnih trikotecenskih mikotoksina. Muškim Wistar štakorima instilirani su intratrahealno kompleksni sekundarni metaboliti stahibotrisa izolirani iz stambenih i javnih zgrada u Slovačkoj zahvaćenima plijesni (4 μg na 0,2 mL 0,2 %-tnog dimetilsulfoksida; dok se diacetoksiscirpenol rabio kao pozitivna kontrola). Tri dana kasnije izmjereni su hematološki parametri u perifernoj krvi te biopokazatelji upalnoga odgovora u bronhoalveolarnome ispirku te su rezultati obrađeni statistički. Pokazalo se da egzometaboliti suprimiraju eritrocite, smanjujući njihov ukupni broj, hemoglobin i hematokrit. Izloženi štakori imali su značajno veći broj stanica u bronhoalveolarnome ispirku, što upućuje na upalu, dok im je broj alveolarnih makrofaga bio manji, a broj granulocita povezanih sa stanicama u ispirku veći. Zbog svojih hematotoksičnih i upalnih svojstava S. chartarum može dovesti do oštećenja dišnih putova i poremećaja u krvotvornome sustavu osoba koje žive i/ili rade u zgradama zahvaćenima tom plijesni

Twist exome capture allows for lower average sequence coverage in clinical exome sequencing

Background Exome and genome sequencing are the predominant techniques in the diagnosis and research of genetic disorders. Sufficient, uniform and reproducible/consistent sequence coverage is a main determinant for the sensitivity to detect single-nucleotide (SNVs) and copy number variants (CNVs). Here we compared the ability to obtain comprehensive exome coverage for recent exome capture kits and genome sequencing techniques. Results We compared three different widely used enrichment kits (Agilent SureSelect Human All Exon V5, Agilent SureSelect Human All Exon V7 and Twist Bioscience) as well as short-read and long-read WGS. We show that the Twist exome capture significantly improves complete coverage and coverage uniformity across coding regions compared to other exome capture kits. Twist performance is comparable to that of both short- and long-read whole genome sequencing. Additionally, we show that even at a reduced average coverage of 70× there is only minimal loss in sensitivity for SNV and CNV detection. Conclusion We conclude that exome sequencing with Twist represents a significant improvement and could be performed at lower sequence coverage compared to other exome capture techniques

A Solve-RD ClinVar-based reanalysis of 1522 index cases from ERN-ITHACA reveals common pitfalls and misinterpretations in exome sequencing

Purpose Within the Solve-RD project (https://solve-rd.eu/), the European Reference Network for Intellectual disability, TeleHealth, Autism and Congenital Anomalies aimed to investigate whether a reanalysis of exomes from unsolved cases based on ClinVar annotations could establish additional diagnoses. We present the results of the “ClinVar low-hanging fruit” reanalysis, reasons for the failure of previous analyses, and lessons learned. Methods Data from the first 3576 exomes (1522 probands and 2054 relatives) collected from European Reference Network for Intellectual disability, TeleHealth, Autism and Congenital Anomalies was reanalyzed by the Solve-RD consortium by evaluating for the presence of single-nucleotide variant, and small insertions and deletions already reported as (likely) pathogenic in ClinVar. Variants were filtered according to frequency, genotype, and mode of inheritance and reinterpreted. Results We identified causal variants in 59 cases (3.9%), 50 of them also raised by other approaches and 9 leading to new diagnoses, highlighting interpretation challenges: variants in genes not known to be involved in human disease at the time of the first analysis, misleading genotypes, or variants undetected by local pipelines (variants in off-target regions, low quality filters, low allelic balance, or high frequency). Conclusion The “ClinVar low-hanging fruit” analysis represents an effective, fast, and easy approach to recover causal variants from exome sequencing data, herewith contributing to the reduction of the diagnostic deadlock

Dental Check-Ups in Czech Preschool and School Children in 2001-2010 and their Trends

The aim of the study was to determine frequency and structure of preventive dental check-ups in children aged 0-14 years in 2010 and to assess their trend in the last decade (2001-2010). Material and methods: The following data were extracted from datasets on dental care provided to children covered by the General Health Insurance Fund of the Czech Republic: geographical area code, date of the check-up, child's ID and codes of procedures provided during the check-up (check-up, filling, extraction). Calculated parameters for the age-groups of 2-3, 3-6, 6-10 and 10-14 years: per cent seen by a dentist at least once a year, per cent seen twice a year, per cent of check-ups, which included restorative treatment (fillings) or tooth extractions. Statistical methods: Comparison of check-up frequencies - Snedecor's χ2 test with Yates correction, trends in check-up frequencies - linear regression, both at the significance of 95% (p = 0.05). Results: 2010: at the age of 2-3 years 66.7% of children visited dentist at least once a year, 28.6% of them visited dentist twice. At the age of 3-6 years the proportions were 66.4%/ 31.8%, respectively, at 6-10 yrs 84.2%/ 58.8%, respectively, and at 10-14 yrs 71.1%/ 55.8%, respectively. Over the period 2001-2010, the percentage of 2-3 yr-olds seen at least once a year or twice a year increased significantly (p=0.001). The frequency of check-ups in older preschool children did not change. About 85% of school children were seen at least once a year and the proportions of 6-10 and 10- 14 yr-olds seen twice a year increased significantly (p6-10=0.001, p10-14=0.012, resp.). Conclusion: Despite the fact that caries experience and treatment needs in Czech paediatric population declined over the investigated period, the trend in indicators of preventive dental care improved only partially, reflecting weaknesses of a current preventive health care system that lacks effective tools and incentives to enhance accessibility of preventive dental check-ups to preschool and school children

The occurrence and predictive factors of sleep paralysis in university students

Monika Lišková,1,2 Denisa Janečková,1 Lucie Klůzová Kráčmarová,3 Karolína Mladá,1 Jitka Bušková1,2 1Institute of Sleep Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, 2Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, 3Olomouc University Social Health Institute, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic Abstract: The aim of the present study was to assess the occurrence and predictive factors of sleep paralysis (SP) in Czech university students. Our sample included 606 students who had experienced at least one episode of SP. The participants completed an online battery of questionnaires involving questionnaires focused on describing their sleep habits and SP episodes, the 18-item Boundary Questionnaire (BQ-18), the Modified Tellegen Absorption Scale (MODTAS), the Dissociative Experience Scale Taxon, the Beck Depression Inventory II and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The strongest predictive factor for the frequency of SP episodes was nightmares. The strongest predictive factor for the intensity of fear was dream occurrences. In our study sample, SP was more common in women than in men. Those who scored higher in BQ-18 experienced more often pleasant episodes of SP and those who scored higher in MODTAS were more likely to experience SP accompanied with hallucinations. While 62% of respondents answered that their SP was accompanied by intense fear, 16% reported that they experienced pleasant feelings during SP episodes. We suggest that not only the known rapid eye movement sleep dysregulation but also some personality variables may contribute to the characteristics of SP. Keywords: sleep paralysis, absorption, personality boundaries, dissociation, nightmare

CDTE quantum dots – preparation, physico-chemical properties and application as fluorescent markers

A set of water-soluble CdTe quantum dots (QDs) was prepared by the chemical reaction between cadmium chloride and sodium hydrogen telluride in the presence of 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA). QDs were characterized using fluorescence spectroscopy, lifetime measurements, slab-gel and capillary electrophoresis. The particle sizes, determining the wavelength of the fluorescence emission, were evaluated to be from 2.5 nm (500 nm) to 5.2 nm (750 nm). The fluorescence lifetimes determined by the time-resolved fluorescence spectrometry, increases from 3.05 to 20.5 ns with the increasing size of particles. The uptake of non-conjugated QDs into the living cells, which has a potential for single cell analyses, was apparent for human lymphocytes and yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) after 30 minutes and 3 hours, respectively. The cell manipulation, lysis and monitoring was performed in microfluidic devices with laser-induced fluorescence detection. The conjugation of QDs with functional biomolecules allows the selective labeling and localization of specific molecules. Several coupling agents such as N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide (NHS) and 1-ethyl-3-(3- dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) or carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) were used. The concentrations of reaction products were checked by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

β-lactoglobulin as a molecular carrier of linoleate: characterisation and effects on intestinal epithelial cells in vitro

S. Le Maux is currently supported by a Teagasc Walsh Fellowship and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (FIRM project 08/RD/TMFRC/650). We also acknowledge funding from IRCSET-Ulysses Travel Grant.peer-reviewedThe dairy protein β-lactoglobulin (βlg) is known to bind hydrophobic ligands such as fatty acids. In the present work, we investigated the biological activity in vitro of linoleate once complexed to bovine βlg. Binding of linoleate (C18:2) to bovine βlg was achieved by heating at 60 °C for 30 min at pH 7.4, resulting in a linoleate/βlg molar binding stoichiometry of 1.1, 2.1, and 3.4. Two types of binding sites were determined by ITC titrations. Binding of linoleate induced the formation of covalent dimers and trimers of βlg. The LD50 on Caco-2 cells after 24 h was 58 μM linoleate. However, cell viability was unaffected when 200 μM linoleate was presented to the Caco-2 cells as part of the βlg complex. The Caco-2 cells did not increase mRNA transcript levels of long chain fatty acid transport genes, FATP4 and FABPpm, or increase levels of the cAMP signal, in response to the presence of 50 μM linoleate alone or as part of the βlg complex. Therefore, it is proposed that βlg can act as a molecular carrier and alter the bioaccessibility of linoleate/linoleic acid