Effects of dormancy-breaking treatments on seed germination of Koelreuteria paniculata and Mahonia aquifolium

The present paper examines the germination requirements of the seeds of two woody species (Koelreuteria paniculata and Mahonia aquifolium). Koelreuteria paniculata seeds were subjected to a combination of acid scarification, gibberellic acid (GA3) and cold stratification treatments. Un-scarified seeds, which were only cold stratified (up to 3 months) as well as the seeds which were only acid-scarified (up to 60 minutes) exhibited low germination percentages. The combination of sulphuric acid scarification and cold stratification treatments significantly improved germination. In acid-scarified seeds, GA3 application improved germination, but did not fully replace the cold stratification period required to break seed dormancy. Mahonia aquifolium seeds were subjected to a combination of GA3 and cold stratification treatments. Notably, prolonged cold stratification is essential for the germination of M. aquifolium seeds since seeds stratified for 1 or even 2 months did not germinate. In almost all cases, the percentage of M. aquifolium seeds germinated was higher with GA3 treatment applied prior to cold stratification than with cold stratification only

Cardioprotective properties of omentin-1 in type 2 diabetes: evidence from clinical and in vitro studies

Contains fulltext : 118105.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)CONTEXT: Adipokines are linked to the development of cardiovascular dysfunction in type 2 diabetes (DM2). In DM2-patients, circulating levels of omentin-1, an adipokine preferentially expressed in epicardial adipose tissue, are decreased. This study investigated whether omentin-1 has a cardioprotective function. METHODS: Omentin-1 levels in plasma and cardiac fat depots were determined in DM2-patients versus controls. Moreover, the relation between omentin-1 levels and cardiac function was examined in men with uncomplicated DM2. Finally, we determined whether omentin-1 could reverse the induction of cardiomyocyte dysfunction by conditioned media derived from epicardial adipose tissue from patients with DM2. RESULTS: Omentin-1 was highly expressed and secreted by epicardial adipose tissue, and reduced in DM2. Circulating omentin-1 levels were lower in DM2 versus controls, and positively correlated with the diastolic parameters early peak filling rate, early deceleration peak and early deceleration mean (all P<0.05). The improved diastolic function following pioglitazone treatment associated with increases in omentin-1 levels (P<0.05). In vitro, exposure of cardiomyocytes to conditioned media derived from epicardial adipose tissue from patients with DM2 induced contractile dysfunction and insulin resistance, which was prevented by the addition of recombinant omentin. CONCLUSION: These data identify omentin-1 as a cardioprotective adipokine, and indicate that decreases in omentin-1 levels could contribute to the induction of cardiovascular dysfunction in DM2

The role of cold storage and seed source in the germination of three Mediterranean shrub species with contrasting dormancy types

The use of native species in ecological restoration is highly recommended but, in practice, it is often impaired by knowledge gaps in the germination ecology of suitable species. This study aimed to assess the role of storage conditions and seed source on the germination of three Mediterranean shrub species with contrasting types of dormancy. Ripe fruits were harvested at two or three distant locations in mainland Portugal. Seeds were subjected to three treatments consisting in different storage conditions: cold storage at low and high moisture conditions, plus a control. Five replicates of up to 30 seeds were placed under constant temperature conditions and germination was monitored weekly during 14 weeks. The effect of cold storage at high moisture on germination differed between the three species and seed source played a significant role in the germination of all three species. In the case of the species with dormancy, the observed differences in germination could reflect changes in the species' dormancy degree or sensitivity to dormancy breaking factors across their geographical range. In the case of Pistacia lentiscus (no dormancy), the results suggested a possible adaptation of the northern seed source to high moisture conditions. The observed differences between species agreed well with their dormancy types, and the seed source-related differences could be adaptive features, as they seemed related with local climate conditions