Caspase-3 Mediates the Pathogenic Effect of \u3cem\u3e Yersinia pestis \u3c/em\u3e YopM in Liver of C57BL/6 Mice and Contributes to YopM\u27s Function in Spleen

The virulence protein YopM of the plague bacterium Yersinia pestis has different dominant effects in liver and spleen. Previous studies focused on spleen, where YopM inhibits accumulation of inflammatory dendritic cells. In the present study we focused on liver, where PMN function may be directly undermined by YopM without changes in inflammatory cell numbers in the initial days of infection, and foci of inflammation are easily identified. Mice were infected with parent and ΔyopM-1 Y. pestis KIM5, and effects of YopM were assessed by immunohistochemistry and determinations of bacterial viable numbers in organs. The bacteria were found associated with myeloid cells in foci of inflammation and in liver sinusoids. A new in-vivo phenotype of YopM was revealed: death of inflammatory cells, evidenced by TUNEL staining beginning at d 1 of infection. Based on distributions of Ly6G+, F4/80+, and iNOS+ cells within foci, the cells that were killed could have included both PMNs and macrophages. By 2 d post-infection, YopM had no effect on distribution of these cells, but by 3 d cellular decomposition had outstripped acute inflammation in foci due to parent Y. pestis, while foci due to the Δ-1yopM strain still contained many inflammatory cells. The destruction depended on the presence of both PMNs in the mice and YopM in the bacteria. In mice that lacked the apoptosis mediator caspase-3 the infection dynamics were novel: the parent Y. pestis was limited in growth comparably to the ΔyopM-1 strain in liver, and in spleen a partial growth limitation for parent Y. pestis was seen. This result identified caspase-3 as a co-factor or effector in YopM\u27s action and supports the hypothesis that in liver YopM\u27s main pathogenic effect is mediated by caspase-3 to cause apoptosis of PMNs

Multigenic phylogeny and analysis of tree incongruences in Triticeae (Poaceae)

Background: Introgressive events (e.g., hybridization, gene flow, horizontal gene transfer) and incomplete lineage sorting of ancestral polymorphisms are a challenge for phylogenetic analyses since different genes may exhibit conflicting genealogical histories. Grasses of the Triticeae tribe provide a particularly striking example of incongruence among gene trees. Previous phylogenies, mostly inferred with one gene, are in conflict for several taxon positions. Therefore, obtaining a resolved picture of relationships among genera and species of this tribe has been a challenging task. Here, we obtain the most comprehensive molecular dataset to date in Triticeae, including one chloroplastic and 26 nuclear genes. We aim to test whether it is possible to infer phylogenetic relationships in the face of (potentially) large-scale introgressive events and/or incomplete lineage sorting; to identify parts of the evolutionary history that have not evolved in a tree-like manner; and to decipher the biological causes of genetree conflicts in this tribe. Results: We obtain resolved phylogenetic hypotheses using the supermatrix and Bayesian Concordance Factors (BCF) approaches despite numerous incongruences among gene trees. These phylogenies suggest the existence of 4-5 major clades within Triticeae, with Psathyrostachys and Hordeum being the deepest genera. In addition, we construct a multigenic network that highlights parts of the Triticeae history that have not evolved in a tree-lik

Zielonka z amarantusa jako surowiec kiszonkarski oraz ocena i wartosc pokarmowa kiszonki w zywieniu opasow

Określono skład chemiczny zielonki i kiszonki z amarantusa oraz przeprowadzono ocenę wartości pokarmowej kiszonki w doświadczeniu na byczkach opasowych. Stwierdzono, że proces zakiszania zielonki z amarantusa spowodował straty składników pokarmowych: białka ogólnego o 10,1%, popiołu surowego o 10,3%. Spadkowi uległa również zawartość β-karotenu z 77,9 mg/kg s.m. w zielonce do 56,8 mg/kg s.m. w kiszonce. Zaobserwowane straty składników pokarmowych w wyciekającym soku komórkowym, przy zawartości 15,65% suchej masy w zielonce wskazywały na konieczność zakiszania tej rośliny po przewiędnięciu, przy bardzo dobrej pogodzie. Analiza mierników wartości pokarmowej pasz wskazywała na średniobiałkowy charakter ocenianej kiszonki. Wartość pH kiszonki wahała się na poziomie 4,3, udział kwasu mlekowego w ogólnej zawartości wszystkich kwasów wynosił 65,8%, kwasu octowego 34,2%, kwasu masłowego nie stwierdzono. Ocena kiszonki według zmodyfikowanego klucza królewieckiego oraz według skali Fliega-Zimmera pozwoliła zakwalifikować badaną paszę do klasy dobrych.The chemical composition of Amaranth green fodder and silage were analysed and their nutritive value was determined on young fattened bulls. It was found that the process of ensiling green fodder caused the losses of nutritive components: 10.1% crude protein, 10.3% crude ash. β-Carotene content fell down from 77.9 mg/kg DM in green fodder to 56.8 mg/kg DM in the silage. Losses of nutrients in leaking cellular sap, at 15.65% dry matter content in green fodder, showed the necessity of wilting plants for silage during very good weather. Analysis of nutritive value indices showed the medium protein equivalent of estimated silage. At pH value of about 4.3, the lactic acid part in total acid content was 65.8%, the acetic acid 34.2% and the butyric acid was not found. According to modified Königsberg scale and Flieg-Zimmer’s scale the silage could be classified as a good one