DNA damage induced by mutagens in plant and human cell nuclei in acellular comet assay

Higher plant cells have a long tradition of use in the studies on environmental mutagenesis in situ, especially in relation to human health risk determination. The studies on the response of plant and human cells to physical and chemical mutagens showed differences in their sensitivity. The differences in the presence of cell components in plants and humans could influence such response. Additionally, the level of the organization of the employed material could influence DNA-damaging effect: leukocytes are isolated cells and plant - an intact organism. To preclude these obstacles, the effects of direct treatment of isolated nuclei with genotoxic agents were determined to compare the sensitivity of plant and human cells. In the present study, we have determined the DNA-damaging effects of two chemical mutagens: maleic acid hydrazide (MH) and N-methyl-N-nitroso-urea (MNU) applied to isolated nuclei of both plant and human cells. In order to compare the sensitivity of the nuclei of Nicotiana tabacum var. xanthi and the nuclei of leukocytes, the acellular Comet assay was carried out. The results showed higher sensitivity of the nuclei of leukocytes as compared to the nuclei of plant cells to mutagenic treatment with the applied doses of MH and MNU

DNA damage in Crepis capillaris cells in response to in vitro condition

We analyzed DNA damage, mitotic activity and polyploidization in Crepis capillaris callus cells during short- and long-term in vitro culture, and the influence of plant growth regulators on these processes. Changes in the concentration of growth regulators altered the stability of callus. The level of DNA damage was highly dependent on the growth regulator composition of the medium. Cytokinin at high concentrations damaged DNA in the absence of auxin. Short- and long-term callus differed in sensitivity to growth regulators. Mitotic activity changed when callus was transferred to medium with modified growth regulators. Callus cell nuclear DNA content increased with age and in response to plant growth regulators. Hormones played a role in the genetic changes in C. capillaries callus culture. We demonstrated the usefulness of C. capillaris callus culture as a model for analyzing the effect of culture conditions, including plant growth regulators, on genetic stability

Comparative analysis of structure of allopolyploid liverwort Pellia borealis and ancestral taxa

Pellia borealis Lorb. is a simple thalloid liverwort that originated after hybridization between two allopatric taxa: Pellia epiphylla N and Pellia epiphylla S. The morphological and anatomical similarity of Pellia species along with its plasticity cause difficulties in clearly defining the species. Species from the Pellia epiphylla complex differ from the remaining Pellia species by bisexuality. Microstructure of the gametophytes of all three taxa and sporophytes of P. borealis and P. epiphylla S was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. As a result of these observations, some new diagnostic characters between analyzed taxa were discovered. P. borealis shows a different pattern of papillae distribution on the dorsal surface of the thallus compared to ancestral taxa and has larger cells. P. epiphylla N was distinguished by the localization and shape of archegonia. Comparison of P. borealis and P. epiphylla S capsule surface showed a significantly different microstructure

Comparative cytogenetic analysis of diploid and hexaploid Chenopodium album agg.

Two cytotypes of Chenopodium album, diploid (2n=2x=18) and hexaploid (2n=6x=54), were analysed using flow cytometry and aFisH experiment. The genome size was indicated as 1.795 pg for the diploid and 3.845 pg for the hexaploid plants which suggested genome downsizing in the evolution of hexaploid cytotype. Double FisH with 25s rDNA and 5s rDNA allowed three to five homologue chromosome pairs to be distinguished depending on the cytotype. The variation in size and number of rDNA sites between the polyploid C. album and its putative diploid ancestor indicated that rDNA loci underwent rearrangements after polyploidization. Flow cytometry measurements of the relative nuclear DNA content in the somatic tissue of C. album revealed extensive endopolyploidization resulting in tissues comprising a mixture of cells with a different DNA content (from 2Cto 32C) in varying proportions. The pattern of endopolyploidy was characteristic for the developmental stage of the plant and for the individual organ. Polysomaty was not observed in the embryo tissues however endo- polyploidization had taken place in most tested organs of seedlings. The endopolyploidy in diploid and hexaploid C. album was compared to find any relationship between the pattern of polysomaty and polyploidy level in this species. This revealed that polyploid plants showed a decline in the number of endocycles as well as in the frequency of endopolyploidy cells compared to diploid plants

Molecular cytogenetic studies in Chenopodium quinoa and Amaranthus caudatus

Chenopodium quinoa Wild, and Amaranthus caudatus L„ two plant species from South America, have small and numerous chromosomes. Looking for chromosome markers to distinguish pairs of homologous chromosomes double fluorescence staining, in situ hybridization with 45S rDNA and silver staining were applied. Fluorescent in situ hybridization with 45S rDNA has shown two sites of hybridization occurring on one pair of chromosomes in quinua genome (lines PQ-I. PQ-X). The number of rDNA loci in Amaranthus caudatus L. genome depends on the accession. Kiwicha 3 line has one pair of chromosomes with signals and Kiwicha Molincra cultivar two pairs. All observed rDNA loci were active. After chromomycin/ DAPl staining in all cases, except Kiwicha Molinera cultivar, the CMA, positive bands co-localized with signals of in situ hybridization with rDNA. In Kiwicha Molinera the number of CMA+ bands was higher than the number of 45S rDNA signals after FISH. Genomy dwóch południowoamerykańskich gatunków. Chenopodiuma quinoa Wild, i Amaranthus caudatus L.. charakteryzują się dużą liczbą niewielkich i morfologicznie mało zróżnicowanych chromosomów. Dla opracowania kariotypu tych gatunków niezbędne jest znalezienie cytogenetycznych markerów pozwalających odróżnić pary chromosomów homologicznych. W tym celu zastosowano barwienie fluorescencyjne (CMA,/DAPI) i hybrydyzację in situ z 45S rDNA oraz srebrzenie dla określenia jąderkowej aktywności transkrypcyjnej. Po fluorescencyjnej hybrydyzacji in situ z. 45S rDNA w genomie C. quinoa (linie PQ-I. PQ-8) obserwowano dwa sygnały występujące w jednej parze chromosomów. Liczba loci rDNA w genomie A. caudatus była różna. W linii Kiwicha .3 obserwowano dwa sygnały a u odmiany Kiwicha Molinera cztery. Wszystkie obserwowane loci rDNA są aktywne transkrypcyjnic. We wszystkich przypadkach, za wyjątkiem odmiany Kiwicha Molinera, pozytywne prążki CM A, pokrywały się z sygnałami hybrydyzacji in situ. U Kiwicha Molinera liczba pozytywnych prążków CMA( była większa niż liczba sygnałów po hybrydyzacji z 45S rDNA

Revitalization of selected brownfields in urban space of Skierniewice with particular emphasis on environmentally friendly elements.

Transformation of urban space is a result of constant changes, which can also lead to a deterioration of the state of such space. City revitalization programs allow for the release of brownfields from crisis situations and adapting them to the needs of local communities, with particular emphasis on environmentally friendly elements. The aim of the article was to present the concept of revitalization activities, proposed for introduction in the brownfield site, in the city of Skierniewice, currently used by Stal-Car. These activities include treatments that can result in the creation of urban public spaces with environmentally friendly elements.Przekształcenie przestrzeni miejskiej to efekt ciągłych przemian, które mogą prowadzić również do pogorszenia jej stanu. Programy rewitalizacji miast pozwalają na wyprowadzenie ze stanu kryzysowego m.in. terenów poprzemysłowych i dostosowanie ich do wymogów lokalnych społeczności, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem elementów przyjaznych środowisku. W artykule za cel przyjęto stworzenie koncepcji działań rewitalizacyjnych proponowanych do wprowadzenia na terenie poprzemysłowym w Skierniewicach, obecnie użytkowanym przez firmę Stal-Car. Działania te obejmują zabiegi, których następstwem może być powstanie miejskiej przestrzeni publicznej z elementami przyjaznymi środowisku

Cytogenetic studies of three European species of Centaurea L. (Asteraceae)

Cytogenetic analysis of several populations of Centaurea jacea (2n = 4x = 44), C. oxylepis (2n = 4x = 44) and C. phrygia (2n = 2x = 22) was performed using flow cytometry, differential chromosome staining and FISH. In all species Arabidopsis-type telomeric repeats hybridized only to the terminal part of chromosomes. In C. phrygia three pairs and in C. oxylepis six pairs of chromosomes revealed the hybridization signals of 45S rDNA. Centaurea jacea showed polymorphism in the 45S rDNA loci number, five or six pairs of sites were observed. 5S rDNA loci were located in two pairs of chromosomes in C. phrygia. In C. jacea and C. oxylepis the number and position of 5S rDNA loci were the same: three pairs located interstitially and one terminally. The genome size of the diploid C. phrygia was established as 2.14 pg/2C. The genomes of tetraploid species were nearly two times larger and genome size polymorphism was observed among C. jacea populations

The analysis of the traits determining the development of some plant species typical for the meadow habitats of the Natura 2000 network

The aim of this study was to determine the traits in peculiar species which most influence their survivability during early growth and development. Eight representative plant species typical for four non-afforested habitats of river valleys were tested. The results showed that for the restoration of natural habitats, the following species are best suited: Allium angulosum (Cnidion dubii, 6440) due to its good seed germination capacity and fast growth rate of its seedlings; Galium boreale (Molinion, 6410) due to the fast growth rate of its seedlings; Tragopogon pratensis (Arrhenatherion elatioris, 6510) due to its large seeds, good seed germination capacity and fast growth rate of its seedlings; regarding to tested species of Festuco-Brometea (6210), the obtained results do not give a definite answer

The importance of urban green areas in the creation of spatial city policies on the example of Pruszków city

In urban space, there is a growing need for urban greenery in undeveloped and degraded areas, as well as the need to revitalize already existing urban greenery, which has been neglected and has become a crisis area. Green areas play a key role in every city and are an integral part of every city. They provide aeration of the city, transport corridors for migratory birds, stop rainwater, reduce air temperature. Their presence in urban space is particularly important in the context of growing urban development. For urban residents they are equally important because they are meeting and resting places. The paper presents the proposal of revitalization solutions for urban green areas of the Pruszków on the example of Potulickich Park.W przestrzeni miasta zauważa się coraz większą potrzebę tworzenia zieleni miejskiej na terenach niezagospodarowanych i zdegradowanych, jak również rewitalizacji już istniejącej, która zaniedbana ulega degradacji i staje się obszarem kryzysowym. Tereny zieleni odgrywają kluczową rolę w każdym mieście i są jego nieodłącznym elementem. Zapewniają one przewietrzanie miasta, stanowią korytarze komunikacyjne dla ptaków wędrownych, zatrzymują wody opadowe, obniżają temperaturę powietrza. Ich obecność w przestrzeni miejskiej jest szczególnie ważna w kontekście zwiększającej się zabudowy. Dla mieszkańców miast są one równie ważne, ponieważ stanowią miejsca spotkań i wypoczynku. W artykule przedstawiono propozycję rozwiązań rewitalizacyjnych dla obszarów zieleni miejskiej Pruszkowa na przykładzie Parku Potulickich

Genome size variation in Chenopodium quinoa (Chenopodiaceae)

The extent and significance of intraspecific genome size variation were analysed in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), a pseudocereal important for human consumption in the Andean region of South America. Flow cytometry, with propidium iodide as the DNA stain, was used to estimate the genome size of 20 quinoa accessions from Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile and the USA. Limited genome size variation was found among the analysed accessions. The differences between the accessions were statistically significant but the maximum inter-accession difference between the populations with the largest and the smallest genome reached only 5.9%. The largest genome was found in population C4 from Chile (mean 3.077 pg/2C) and the smallest in the Peruvian population P2 (mean 2.905 pg/2C). The variation was not correlated with collection site; however, the quinoa accessions analysed in this study belonged to three distinct geographical groups: northern highland, southern highland and lowland