Presence and possible origin of positive Eu anomaly in shoot samples of Juncus effusus L

BackgroundThe rare earth elements (REE) are non-essential elements for plants. They stimulate plant growth at low doses, but at high levels are phytotoxic. There are differences in concentrations of REE in various organs of the same plant species, but the normalized REE patterns can be very similar in samples of the same species collected in different locations. Here we compare normalized REE curves in above-ground samples of Juncus effusus L. (common rush, soft rush) collected from sites with different land-use types.MethodsThe concentrations of rare earth elements were measured in 55 shoot samples of J. effusus L. The samples were collected from 15 sampling sites located in the Holy Cross Mts., south-central Poland and analyzed with the use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results were normalized to the North American Shale Composite and anomalies of different elements were calculated.ResultsTotal REE concentrations varied from 0.028 mg/kg to 2.7 mg/kg. The samples were enriched in the light REE (from La to Eu) with the highest concentrations of La and Ce. The North American Shale Composite (NASC)-normalized REE curves were roughly similar in all samples except for two samples collected in the acid mine drainageaffected areas.ConclusionAll samples showed positive europium anomalies in NASC-normalized REE concentration patterns. The most probable explanation of this is that the uptake and translocation of Eu in J. effusus (and possibly in other wetland plants) is caused by a short-term decrease of the redox potential in a rhizosphere favoring reduction of Eu³⁺ to Eu²⁺ and thus enhancing Eu mobility in the soil-plant environment.     

Immunolocalization of the Na,K-ATPase in photoreceptor cells of the moth Manduca sexta-evidence for Na,K-ATPase on both the nonmicrovillar and the microvillar domains of the plasma membrane

Immunohistochemical and physiological studies on various insect photoreceptors have demonstrated that the Na,K-ATPase (sodium pump) is restricted to the nonreceptive nonmicrovillar area of the plasma membrane. Here, we examined the distribution of the Na,K-ATPase in photoreceptor cells of the superposition-type compound eye in the moth Manduca sexta. Using immunofluorescent and immunogold cytochemistry, we show that the Na,K-ATPase is localized to both the nonmicrovillar and the microvillar parts of the plasma membrane. Manduca photoreceptors thus deviate from the common concept that the sodium pump and the molecular components of the photoreceptive machinery reside on different domains of the plasma membrane.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Indian major carp,Catla catla using next-generation sequencing platform

Catla catla, the second most important Indian major carp, is gaining its popularity among Indian fish farmers due to its high growth rate and consumer preferences. Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are rapidly evolving, versatile, co-dominant and highly informative molecular markers used in genetic research. However, the time and cost involved in developing such resources has limited their extensive use. Advent of massive parallel sequencing technology has considerably eased these limitations. In the present investigation, we used Ion Torrent sequencing platform to identify potentially amplifiable microsatellite loci for catla. A modest sequencing volume generated approximately 5.7 MB of sequence data. Out of 29,794 sequences generated, 21,477 contained simple sequence repeats. Only 81 sequences had enough flanking sequences for primer designing. Out of 81 loci, 51 were successfully PCR amplified in a panel of five unrelated individuals. Out of 15 loci randomly checked for polymorphism, 13 loci were polymorphic with allele number ranged from 3 to 6 and two loci were found to be monomorphic. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.565 to 0.870 and 0.483–0.804, respectively. These markers will be useful for studying genetics of wild populations, breeding programs of C. catla and closely related species.     

一类带参数的泛函微分方程的正周期解的存在性(英文)

利用锥上不动点理论,本文研究了一类非线性泛函微分方程正周期解的存在多样性和ω-周期解的不存在性.获得了一些新的结果.应用这些新的结果,讨论了一类带参数的血细胞生成模型,给出该模型的正周期解的存在性,此结果利用以前的方法是无法得到的.     

Quercetin-induced yeast apoptosis through mitochondrial dysfunction under the accumulation of magnesium in Candida albicans

Latterly, the upsurge in use of antifungal drugs has brought about the emergence of several drug-resistance strains, making it skeptical to continue relying on current therapeutic regime. In the necessity of resistance-free antifungal agent, flavonoids presented possibilities of replacing existing drugs, displaying antifungal activity against pathogenic fungi. Among them, quercetin, one of the most representative flavonoids, exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans. To inspect the further understanding regarding quercetin, the antifungal mode of action of quercetin was investigated. In the initial step, the apoptosis was monitored after quercetin treatment. Moreover, intracellular levels of Mg²⁺ was assessed and was determined that Mg²⁺ increase occurred under the influence of quercetin. In addition, several features of mitochondrial dysfunction were monitored. Mitochondrial dysfunction triggers decrease in mitochondrial redox levels and leads to disruption in mitochondrial antioxidant system. Increased intracellular ROS and decreased intracellular redox levels were also displayed, indicating the occurrence of overall disruption in antioxidant systems. Sequentially, DNA fragmentation was observed and this DNA damage in turn induces apoptosis. In analyses, hexaamminecobalt(III) chloride (Cohex) was applied to inhibit Mg²⁺ transport between cytosol and mitochondria. Cohex attenuated the effects induced by quercetin, which demonstrates that the presence of Mg²⁺ is essential in quercetin-induced apoptosis.     

Effect of ouabain on the lactogenic action of prolactin and on the level of mammary prolactin receptors

Ouabain added to the culture medium of rabbit mammary gland inhibits prolactin action on the initiation of lactose and casein synthesis. The degree of inhibition is a function of the ouabain concentration in the medium. Likewise, ouabain blocks the accumulation of casein mRNA supported by prolactin. In addition, ouabain provokes a rapid disappearance of prolactin receptors. Conversely prolactin keeps its capacity to enhance the concentration of casein mRNA and the parallel casein synthesis when K+ ions are totally absent from the culture medium. These results suggest that although prolactin induces a modification of the K+/Na+ ratio in the mammary cell and ouabain prevents this effect of prolactin, the inhibitory action of ouabain on lactogenesis can be explained essentially by its effect on the hormone receptors.     

Perspectives of reducing the deleterious effect of de-icing salt upon vegetation

Summary The protective effect of a nutrient solution upon young forest plants, seriously stressed by de-icing salt (NaCl) were investigated. The results show, that the adsorbed salt ions in the soil are already exchanged at low concentrations (2 bars), whilst plant survival and growth showed only at higher concentrations (10 bars) a significant optimum.     

Differences between ranamargarin and other tachykinins in the stimulation of ion transport in frog skin

In frog skin, tachykinins stimulate ion transport by interaction with NK1-like receptors. The structural requirements of the peptide are the presence of the C-terminal sequence Phe-X-Gly-Leu-Met-NH₂ and at least one Pro residue in the N-terminal sequence. In this paper, we demonstrate that the C-terminal amino acid must be amidated but it can be different from Met, and that the sequence cannot be longer or shorter than 11–12 amino acids. Unexpectedly, Ranamargarin (14 amino acids, no Pro residue) increased the short circuit current value by 48 ± 0.3%. On the basis of considerable experimental evidence, we suggest that Ranamargarin interacts with a receptor different from those of other tachykinins.     

Characterization of a commercial scintillation detector for 2-D dosimetry in scanned proton and carbon ion beams

IntroductionPencil beam scanning technique used at CNAO requires beam characteristics to be carefully assessed and periodically checked to guarantee patient safety. This study aimed at characterizing the Lynx® detector (IBA Dosimetry) for commissioning and periodic quality assurance (QA) for proton and carbon ion beams, as compared to EBT3 films, currently used for QA checks.Methods and materialsThe Lynx® is a 2-D high-resolution dosimetry system consisting of a scintillating screen coupled with a CCD camera, in a compact light-tight box. The scintillator was preliminarily characterized in terms of short-term stability, linearity with number of particles, image quality and response dependence on iris setting and beam current; Lynx® was then systematically tested against EBT3 films. The detector response dependence on radiation LET was also assessed.ResultsPreliminary results have shown that Lynx is suitable to be used for commissioning and QA checks for proton and carbon ion scanning beams; the cross-check with EBT3 films showed a good agreement between the two detectors, for both single spot and scanned field measurements. The strong LET dependence of the scintillator due to quenching effect makes Lynx® suitable only for relative 2-D dosimetry measurements.ConclusionLynx® appears as a promising tool for commissioning and periodic QA checks for both protons and carbon ion beams. This detector can be used as an alternative of EBT3 films, allowing real-time measurements and analysis, with a significant time sparing.