Methodology of using molecular markers for detection of resistance genes to wheat rusts, powdery mildew and eyspot, and dwarfing genes of wheat

The aim of the publication is to summarize detailed protocols for detection of following resistance genes to wheat rusts, powdery mildew and eyspot (Lr10, Lr19, Lr24, Lr26+Sr31+Yr9+Pm8, Lr28, Lr34+Yr18, Lr37+Yr17+Sr38, Pch1), and dwarfing genes of wheat (Rht-B1 a Rht-D1) using molecular markers based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The protocoles are reliable optimized for routine use in a common laboratory with basic equipment needed for PCR

Heritable heading time variation in wheat lines with the same number of Ppd-B1 gene copies.

The ability of plants to identify an optimal flowering time is critical for ensuring the production of viable seeds. The main environmental factors that influence the flowering time include the ambient temperature and day length. In wheat, the ability to assess the day length is controlled by photoperiod (Ppd) genes. Due to its allohexaploid nature, bread wheat carries the following three Ppd-1 genes: Ppd-A1, Ppd-B1 and Ppd-D1. While photoperiod (in)sensitivity controlled by Ppd-A1 and Ppd-D1 is mainly determined by sequence changes in the promoter region, the impact of the Ppd-B1 alleles on the heading time has been linked to changes in the copy numbers (and possibly their methylation status) and sequence changes in the promoter region. Here, we report that plants with the same number of Ppd-B1 copies may have different heading times. Differences were observed among F7 lines derived from crossing two spring hexaploid wheat varieties. Several lines carrying three copies of Ppd-B1 headed 16 days later than other plants in the population with the same number of gene copies. This effect was associated with changes in the gene expression level and methylation of the Ppd-B1 gene

Correction: Heritable heading time variation in wheat lines with the same number of Ppd-B1 gene copies.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183745.]

Metodika pro uchování, exploataci a zpřístupnění obsahu historických divadelních cedulí:Cesta k divadlu

Vývoj metodiky a specifických nástrojů pro uchování, exploataci a zpřístupnění historických divadelních cedulí se zvláštním zřetelem ke sbírkovým fondům Národního muzea v Praze a Moravského zemského muzea v Brně

Interaction between Galectin-3 and Integrins Mediates Cell-Matrix Adhesion in Endothelial Cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a β-galactoside-binding protein that influences various cell functions, including cell adhesion. We focused on the role of Gal-3 as an extracellular ligand mediating cell-matrix adhesion. We used human adipose tissue-derived stem cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells that are promising for vascular tissue engineering. We found that these cells naturally contained Gal-3 on their surface and inside the cells. Moreover, they were able to associate with exogenous Gal-3 added to the culture medium. This association was reduced with a β-galactoside LacdiNAc (GalNAcβ1,4GlcNAc), a selective ligand of Gal-3, which binds to the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) in the Gal-3 molecule. This ligand was also able to detach Gal-3 newly associated with cells but not Gal-3 naturally present on cells. In addition, Gal-3 preadsorbed on plastic surfaces acted as an adhesion ligand for both cell types, and the cell adhesion was resistant to blocking with LacdiNAc. This result suggests that the adhesion was mediated by a binding site different from the CRD. The blocking of integrin adhesion receptors on cells with specific antibodies revealed that the cell adhesion to the preadsorbed Gal-3 was mediated, at least partially, by β1 and αV integrins—namely α5β1, αVβ3, and αVβ1 integrins

Beta-Titanium Alloy Covered by Ferroelectric Coating–Physicochemical Properties and Human Osteoblast-Like Cell Response

Beta-titanium alloys are promising materials for bone implants due to their advantageous mechanical properties. For enhancing the interaction of bone cells with this perspective material, we developed a ferroelectric barium titanate (BaTiO3) coating on a Ti39Nb alloy by hydrothermal synthesis. This coating was analyzed by scanning electron and Raman microscopy, X-ray diffraction, piezoresponse force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nanoindentation, and roughness measurement. Leaching experiments in a saline solution revealed that Ba is released from the coating. A progressive decrease of Ba concentration in the material was also found after 1, 3, and 7 days of cultivation of human osteoblast-like Saos-2 cells. On day 1, the Saos-2 cells adhered on the BaTiO3 film in higher initial numbers than on the bare alloy, but they were less spread, and their initial proliferation rate was slower. These cells also contained a lower amount of beta1-integrins and vinculin, i.e., molecules involved in cell adhesion, and produced a lower amount of collagen I. This cell behavior was attributed to a higher surface roughness of BaTiO3 film rather than to its potential cytotoxicity, because the cell viability on this film was very high, reaching almost 99%. The amount of alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme involved in bone matrix mineralization, was similar in cells on the BaTiO3-coated and uncoated alloy, and on day 7, the cells on BaTiO3 film attained a higher final cell population density. These results indicate that after some improvements, particularly in its roughness and stability, the hydrothermal ferroelectric BaTiO3 film could be promising coating for improved osseointegration of bone implants

Plasma-Activated Polyvinyl Alcohol Foils for Cell Growth

Hydrogels, and not only natural polysaccharide hydrogels, are substances capable of absorbing large amounts of water and physiological fluids. In this study, we set out to optimize the process for preparing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels. Subsequently, we doped PVA foils with cellulose powder, with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) or with gold nanoparticles in PEG colloid solutions (Au). The foils were then modified in a plasma discharge to improve their biocompatibility. The properties of PVA foils were studied by various analytical methods. The use of a suitable dopant can significantly affect the surface wettability, the roughness, the morphology and the mechanical properties of the material. Plasma treatment of PVA leads to ultraviolet light-induced crosslinking and decreasing water absorption. At the same time, this treatment significantly improves the cytocompatibility of the polymer, which is manifested by enhanced growth of human adipose-derived stem cells. This positive effect on the cell behavior was most pronounced on PVA foils doped with PEG or with Au. This modification of PVA therefore seems to be most suitable for the use of this polymer as a cell carrier for tissue engineering, wound healing and other regenerative applications