Erratum

Genetic relationships among grapevine cultivars native to Croatia, Greece and TurkeyVitis 44 (2),73-77 (2005

Genetic relationships among grapevine cultivars native to Croatia, Greece and Turkey

Three sets of grapevine cultivars were analysed: (1) 6 Croatian cultivars from the island of Hvar, (2) 5 Greek cultivars from the island of Paros and (3) 9 Turkish cultivars from the region of Anatolia. These cultivars were assayed by molecular markers (RAPDs with 8 primers and SSRs on 8 loci) and analyzed in terms of genetic similarity. Cluster analysis based on Dice genetic similarity indices resulted in dendrograms using two types of data. The cultivar DNA profiles showed that there were no synonyms among the groups of cultivars tested. Cluster analysis did not point to any particular relationship among cultivars from different regions, although AMOVA analysis showed greater genetic similarity between Greek and Croatian cultivars in contrast to Turkish cultivars.

Morphometric and molecular analysis of a pink-berried mutant within the population of grape cultivar 'Plavac mali'

This study reports characteristics of pink-berried mutants found in the clone population of the Croatian red wine cultivar 'Plavac mali' on the basis of comparative ampelographic and DNA marker (SSR and Gret1) analysis. The pink-berried accession, also called 'Plavac mali sivi' (Croatian: sivi = English: grey or French: gris), along with the other 58 'Plavac mali' accessions of standard blue-black berry skin color, has been characterized for the first time using OIV descriptors and molecular markers. Using a set of 9 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, an identical SSR profile for all the analyzed accessions was revealed, indicating their monozygotic status. The analysis of Gret1 insertion within the VvMYBA1 locus revealed no DNA polymorphism responsible for the pink-berried phenotype. Surface color of the berry skin was measured with the CIELab technique using a reflectance spectrophotometer at full ripeness. The results of colorimetric variables (L*, a* and b*) suggest a significantly lower accumulation of anthocyanins in the pink-berried accession compared to the standard blue-black berries. The pink-berried accession shares all assessed morphological and genetic traits of 'Plavac mali', with the only difference being the color of the berry skin. This suggests that the pinkberried genotype is the result of a spontaneous mutation of a standard 'Plavac mali' genotype

Determination of tenside mixtures efficiency: conductometric and stalagmometric investigation

The performances of mixtures of different surfactants: anionic (sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) and ά-olefin sulfonates (AOS), amphoteric (coco betaine) and nonionic (coco amide, amine oxide, AO and various etoxylated alcohols, C12-C15-7EO, C10-7EO and C9-C11-7EO), were studied. The parameters measured were critical micelle concentration (CMC) and surface tension of particular tenside mixture. The combination of SLES/AOS/C9- C11-7EO/AO at ratio 75/15/7/3 achieved the lowest both the CMC and surface tension compared to the other examined tenside mixtures (SLES/AOS, SLES/AOS/coco betaine/AO, SLES/AOS/coco amide/AO, SLES/AOS/C12-C15-7EO/AO and SLES/AOS/C10-7EO/AO). This study showed that adding nonionic tenside (alcohol ethoxylate, C9-C11-7EO) improved SLES/AOS foaming properties, synergism in detergency between them. The reduction in the surface tension was obtained, thus indicated that alcohol ethoxylate, C12-C15-7EO, C10-7EO and C9-C11-7EO can be used to produce better cleaning products

Ampelographic and genetic characterization of Croatian grapevine varieties

Before the Phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae) crisis in Croatia more than 400 grape varieties were under cultivation. Today their number is drastically decreased. Recently, many efforts in the preservation of grapevine biodiversity were undertaken: detailed inventory of varieties in different wine-growing regions, establishing of national and regional collections and their systematic ampelographic and genetic characterisation. This paper shows results of multiannual ampelographic and genetic research concerning Croatian grapevines considered as autochthonous varieties. After identification, many synonyms and homonyms were detected and unique genotypes were selected. Basic data of them are shown: description (according to OIV descriptors) and genetic profiles (9 SSR loci), growing area and status of vulnerability. Also, genetic relationship based on the shared allele distance is computed from SSR data. Results show certain level of similarity among varieties, and classify Croatia as important gene-pool in Europe. Some additional accessions which were detected and introduced into collections recently are still being investigated and characterized so that the here presented list of Croatian native grapevine cultivars is not final

Antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in endometrium of patients with polyps, myoma, hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant system have been proposed as a potential factors involved in the pathophysiology of diverse disease states, including carcinogenesis. In this study, we explored the lipid peroxidation levels and antioxidant enzyme activities in women diagnosed with different forms of gynecological diseases in order to evaluate the antioxidant status in endometrium of such patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Endometrial tissues of gynecological patients with different diagnoses were collected and subjected to assays for superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and lipid hydroperoxides.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Superoxide dismutase activity was significantly decreased (50% in average) in hyperplastic and adenocarcinoma patients. Activities of both glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were increased 60% and 100% on average, in hyperplastic patients, while in adenocarcinoma patients only glutathione reductase activity was elevated 100%. Catalase activity was significantly decreased in adenocarcinoma patients (47%). Lipid hydroperoxides level was negatively correlated to superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, and positively correlated to glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study provided the first comparison of antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in endometrial tissues of patients with polyps, myoma, hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma. The results showed that patients with premalignant (hyperplastic) and malignant (adenocarcinoma) lesions had enhanced lipid peroxidation and altered uterine antioxidant enzyme activities than patients with benign uterine diseases, polyps and myoma, although the extent of disturbance varied with the diagnosis. Further investigation is needed to clarify the mechanisms responsible for the observed alterations and whether lipid hydroperoxide levels and antioxidant enzyme activities in uterus of gynecological patients might be used as additional parameter in clinical evaluation of gynecological disorders.</p

Immunohistochemical expression of nestin in rhabdomyosarcoma: implications for clinicopathology and patient outcome

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a highly malignant cancer. Over the last two decades, prognosis for RMS patients has significantly improved, with the exception of those in the high-risk group. In order to identify new prognostic factors, we investigated the expression of nestin in RMS cells and its correlation with clinicopathological features and patient outcome. The analysis of overall survival for all patients (N = 30) revealed 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year survival rates of 93.3, 83.3, 66.7, 63.3, and 63.3%, respectively. Nestin overexpression significantly correlated with survival (P = 0.044). Survival of patients with = 50% nestin-positive cells was 90, 70, and 40% after 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively, and remained unchanged until the end of the investigation period. The study group composed of patients exhibiting nestin expression in GT 50% of cells showed 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year survival rates of 95, 90, 80, and 75%, respectively, remaining stable at 75% for the fifth year of observation. A nestin-positive expression rate lower than 50% was observed more frequently in older patients (43.60 +/- 27.58 years; P = 0.028). In addition, higher rates of nestin expression were observed in most embryonal RMS specimens and low-grade tumors, in early stages of the disease, and among younger patients. Our results lead us to propose nestin as possible positive prognostic factor in RMS

Effect of crop rotation on weed seed bank

Knowledge of weed soil seed bank is of great importance for forecasting weediness for next years. Crop rotation and tillage are two primary practices that have an impact on soil seed bank. In our study, soil samples were taken in order to evaluate the size and species composition of the weed seed bank in the soil on plots under different growing systems: monoculture of corn of about 40 years, crop rotation of corn, wheat and soybeans with different variations of fertilization. Samples were collected during October, using probe (diameter 5 cm) in a layer of 15 cm. Four soil samples collected from 10 sampling points were taken from each of 7 plots. Seeds were extracted from the soil by washing and were determined and counted. Next year (during August) weediness (abundance and species composition) evaluated in the same plots. The weed seed bank was dominated by Chenopodium album, Amaranthus retroflexus, Datura stramonium, Sorghum halepense in all treatments. In the plots which were under wheat in the previous year, beside the listed species, seeds of species characteristic for grain crops were also present as dominant. The higher number of seeds was observed in treatments where manure was applied. In the unfertilized treatments the seed bank was higher and represented by a higher number of weed species than in other plots. Composition of weed species emerged in the next year were in accordance with results of seed bank analysis and the fact that the investigated plots were seeded to maize. In fact, the dominant species were those typical of row crops