Ovules anatomy of selected apomictic taxa from Asteraceae family

The present paper reports on our observations on the ovule structure of autonomous obligatory apomicts. We analyzed two triploid species of Taraxacum: T. udum, T. alatum and two triploid species of Chondrilla: Ch. juncea, Ch. brevirostris. The ovules of all studied species show a structure typical for the members of Asteraceae. One basal ovule develops into an inferior and unilocular ovary. The ovule is anatropous, tenuinucellate and unitegmic. Structural changes were observed in the ovule at the time of the embryo sac maturation. The innermost layer of integument develops into an endothelium surrounding the female gametophyte. Moreover, considerable modifications occurred in the integumentary cell layers adjacent to the endothelium. These cells show signs of programmed cell death and their walls begin to thicken. Histological analysis revealed that the prominent thick cell walls were rich in pectins. Layers of thick-walled cells formed a special storage tissue which, most likely, is an additional source of nutrients necessary for the proper nourishment of a female gametophyte and then of a proembryo

Pattern of callose deposition during the course of meiotic diplospory in Chondrilla juncea (Asteraceae, Cichorioideae)

Total absence of callose in the ovules of diplosporous species has been previously suggested. This paper is the first description of callose events in the ovules of Chondrilla juncea, which exhibits meiotic diplospory of the Taraxacum type. We found the presence of callose in the megasporocyte wall and stated that the pattern of callose deposition is dynamically changing during megasporogenesis. At the premeiotic stage, no callose was observed in the ovules. Callose appeared at the micropylar pole of the cell entering prophase of the first meioticdivision restitution but did not surround the megasporocyte. After the formation of a restitution nucleus, a conspicuous callose micropylar cap and dispersed deposits of callose were detected in the megasporocyte wall. During the formation of a diplodyad, the micropylar callose cap decreased and the walls of a newly formed megaspores showed scattered distribution of callose. Within the older diplodyad, callose was mainly accumulated in the wall between megaspores, as well as in the wall of the micropylar cell; however, a dotted fluorescence of callose was also visible in the wall of the chalazal megaspore. Gradual degradation of callose in the wall of the chalazal cell and intense callose accumulation in the wall of the micropylar cell were related to the selection of the functional megaspore. Thus, our findings may suggest that callose fulfills a similar role both during megasporogenesis in sexual angiosperms and in the course of meiotic diplospory in apomicts and seems to form a regulatory interface between reproductive and somatic cells

Egg apparatus in sexual and apomictic species of Taraxacum : structural and immunocytochemical aspects of synergid cells

The paper reports a comparative study of the female gametophyte and especially synergid structure in sexual and apomictic dandelions. We analyzed diploid sexually reproducing Taraxacum linearisquameum (2n = 2x = 16) and two triploids, T. alatum and T. udum (2n = 3x =24), with autonomous embryo and endosperm development. There were no observed differences in the organization of the mature megagametophyte between the examined species. Both meiotically reduced and diplosporous embryo sacs showed typical polarity of the egg apparatus cells, together with development of a filiform apparatus in the synergids, but immunocytochemical analyses indicated that microtubules form longitudinal brush-like bundles adjacent to the filiform apparatus in the synergids of the sexual T. linearisquameum. This arrangement of cytoskeletal elements is similar to the configuration described in other amphimictic plants. The synergids of the apomictic T. alatum and T. udum show a uncharacteristic and relatively weak cytoskeleton with no brush-like bundles. We discuss the role of synergids in autonomous apomicts

Embryological processes in ovules of Rudbeckia laciniata L. (Asteraceae) from Poland

Embryological researches of an invasive plant Rudbeckia laciniata focused on the process of megasporogenesis, female gametophyte formation, and fertilization. A disturbed first meiotic division results in the formation of restitution nucleus. In some megaspore mother cells micronuclei or vacuoles were observed near the restitution nucleus. Different course of megasporogenesis led to the development of unreduced embryo sacs with various organization which is reflected in the embryo formation and capacity of seed germination. Our research confirmed the occurrence of hemigamy in the Polish representatives of R . laciniata. In spite of a reduced germination capacity of R . laciniata seeds, their production allows a long-distance dispersal and expansion of the species

Cardiovascular risk assessment, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and lung function parameters

Background: Decreased lung function is related to higher cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and mortality. However, little is known about the relationship between the risk factors of CVD and pulmonary function. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, the total CVD risk, and pulmonary function. Methods: The analysis included 4104 men and women aged 45 to 69 years, participants of the Polish part of the Health, Alcohol, and Psychosocial factors In Eastern Europe (HAPIEE) Project, who provided valid measurements of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) using a Micro-Medical Microplus spirometer. The prevalence of CVD risk factors was defined as follows: hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg or taking hypertension medication), diabetes (glucose ≥ 7.1 mmol/L or self-reported diabetes), and hypercholesterolaemia (total cholesterol ≥ 5 mmol/L or low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ≥ 3 mmol/L or taking lipid lowering medication). Categories of total CVD risk were defined according to the 2016 European Guidelines on CVD prevention in clinical practice. The analysis of covariance was used to compare the lung function in the CVD risk factors and the total CVD risk categories. Results: Mean values of FEV1 and FVC, adjusted for age and height, were significantly higher in men than in women (3.02 L; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.96–3.08 L vs. 2.52 L; 95% CI 2.45–2.63 L for FEV1 and 3.62 L; 95% CI 3.56–3.69 L vs. 3.05 L; 95% CI 2.98–3.12 L for FVC). Obesity was significantly associated with FVC in men and women; it was associated with FEV1 only in men. Compared with participants with normal body mass index, obese men and women had 280 mL and 112 mL lower mean FVC, respectively. Men without hypertension had almost 100 mL higher mean FVC than those with hypertension. The difference in FVC in women was approximately 80 mL. Diabetes was associated with lower values of FVC in both sexes and with FEV1 in women. A significant negative trend was observed in the mean FVC and FEV1 by the considered CVD risk categories. Conclusions: Impaired lung function was associated with higher CVD risk, which could be explained partly by an adverse association between lung function and prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.Wstęp: Upośledzenie funkcji oddechowych  jest związane z wyższym ryzykiem zachorowania i zgonu  z powodu chorób  sercowo-naczyniowych (ChSN). Jednak  wiedza dotycząca związku pomiędzy czynnikami ryzyka ChSN oraz ogólną oceną ryzyka sercowo-naczyniowego, a funkcjami oddechowymi nie jest pełna. Cel: Oszacowanie związku pomiędzy występowaniem czynników ryzyka ChSN oraz  całkowitym ryzykiem sercowo-naczyniowym a funkcjami oddechowymi. Metody: Do analizy zakwalifikowano 4104 mężczyzn i kobiet w wieku pomiędzy 45 a 69 lat, uczestników polskiej części badania HAPIEE (Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial factors In Eastern Europe), dla których uzyskano wiarygodne pomiary natężonej pojemności życiowej płuc (FVC) oraz  natężonej objętości wydechowej pierwszo-sekundowej (FEV1) przy użyciu aparatu Micro-Medical Microplus. Przyjęto następujące definicje czynników ryzyka: nadciśnienie tętnicze (SBP≥140 [mmHg] lub DBP≥90 [mmHg] lub przyjmowanie leków hipotensyjnych), cukrzyca (glukoza≥7,1[mmol/l] lub cukrzyca rozpoznana przez lekarza), hipercholesterolemia (cholesterol całkowity≥5 [mmol/l]  lub LDL-cholesterol≥3 [mmol/l] lub przyjmowanie leków hipolipemizujących). Kategorie całkowitego ryzyka sercowo-naczyniowego  zostały określone w oparciu o wytyczne ESC dotyczące prewencji chorób układu sercowo-naczyniowego w praktyce klinicznej w 2016 roku.. Do porównania funkcji oddechowych w kategoriach narażenia na czynniki ryzyka ChSN zastosowana została analiza kowariancji. Wyniki: Średnie wartości FEV1 oraz FVC standaryzowane do wieku oraz wzrostu były istotnie wyższe u mężczyzn w porównaniu do kobiet i wynosiły odpowiednio FEV1:3.02 L; 95% CI = 2,96–3,08 L vs. 2,52 L; 95% CI = 2,45–2,63 L;  FVC: 3,62 L: 95% CI= 3,56-3,69 L  vs.  3,05L; 95% CI= 2,98-3,12 L). Otyłość była istotnie związana z FVC u kobiet i mężczyzn, natomiast z FEV1 tylko u kobiet. W porównaniu do badanych o pożądanej masie ciała (BMI=20-25), otyli mężczyźni i kobiety (BMI>30) mieli niższe wartości FVC odpowiednio o 280 ml i 122 ml. Nadciśnienie tętnicze było istotnie związane z FEV1 i FVC. Mężczyźni z nadciśnieniem mieli o 100 ml niższe FVC w porównaniu do mężczyzn bez nadciśnienia. U kobiet różnica ta była mniejsza i wynosiła 80 ml. Występowanie cukrzycy było istotnie związane z niższymi wartościami  FVC u mężczyzn i u kobiet, natomiast z FEV1 tylko u kobiet. Nie zaobserwowano istotnego związku pomiędzy hipercholesterolemią a FEV1 i FVC. Zaobserwowano istotny ujemny trend w średnich wartościach FEV1 i FVC pomiędzy kategoriami całkowitego ryzyka sercowo-naczyniowego. Wniosek: Upośledzenie funkcji oddechowych  było związane z wyższym ryzykiem sercowo-naczyniowym, co częściowo może być wyjaśnione odwrotnym związkiem pomiędzy obniżonymi funkcjami  oddechowymi a występowaniem otyłości, nadciśnienia tętniczego  i cukrzycy.

Insights into developmental processes in anthers, ovaries, and ovules of Taraxacum belorussicum (Asteraceae-Cichorioideae) using DIC optics

This study represents the first report on the embryological characteristics of triploid male-sterile dandelion Taraxacum belorussicum (section Palustria) from Poland. While this taxon is considered to be a male-sterile species, we found that the investigated individuals produced pollen. Irregular tetrads, triads and diads with microspores of unequal size were observed in the pollen loculi as a result of disturbed meiotic division, while anthers’ tapetum did not show structural disorders. Possible reasons for the plasticity in the expression of male sterility, as well as the role of pollen in apomicts, are discussed. Flowers of the examined individuals contained well-developed nectaries. The course of embryological processes in the ovules indicated an apomictic mode of reproduction in T. belorussicum. We observed meiotic diplospory of the Taraxacum type, in which first meiotic division starts but results in nuclear restitution, while undisturbed second meiotic division gives rise to a dyad of unreduced megaspores (diplodyad). After three mitotic divisions of the chalazal megaspore, a seven-celled unreduced female gametophyte developed. The features of ovule anatomy and characteristics of a mature female gametophyte corresponded to these described in sexually reproducing dandelions

Epidemia palenia w Krakowie

Smoking Epidemic in KrakowElimination of tobacco smoking is an important measure to support health and increase life expectancy. Availability of local data on smoking prevalence and health consequences of smoking is of crucial importance for any anti-smoking campaign.The aim of the present paper is to: 1) describe prevalence of smoking in population of middle-aged residents of Krakow, 2) assess a smokingrelated total mortality risk, and 3) evaluate an excess total mortality attributed to smoking.The study was based on data from Polish part of the HAPIEE Project (Health, Alcohol, Psychosocial Factors in Eastern Europe), a prospective study initiated in 2002. Krakow residents at age 45–69 years were randomly selected within age and gender strata from population registers. Out of initial 10,728 participants, 4857 men and 5127 women were included to the present analysis. Out of them 1630 (34%) men and 1330 (26%) women were current smokers, and 1763 (36%) men and 1077 (22%) women were former smokers. Altogether 71% men and 48% women were ever-smokers. Mean follow-up time was 61 (SD = 10.6) and 62 (SD = 8.0) months for men and women respectively. During the follow-up period there were 294 (6.1%) deaths in men and 135 (2.7%) deaths in women. In total 51,345 person-years were observed. After adjustment to the main cardiovascular risk factors (age, education, BMI, systolic blood pressure , total cholesterol, physical activity and alcohol consumption) more then 3 times higher hazard ratio (HR = 3.3, 95% CI: 2.25–4.99) for currently smoking men and 2 times higher hazard ratio (HR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.29–3.39) for women compared to non-smokers were observed. In ever-smokers the hazard ratios were as follows: HR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.78–3.71 for men and HR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.17–2.69 for women. Among former smokers, the lowest hazard ratio was observed in those who quit smoking more than 15 years ago. In total, 53% of all deaths in men and 18% of all deaths in women were attributed to smoking.In conclusion, implementation of an effective intervention program on smoking cessation should be one of the main targets of public health and preventive medicine in Krakow