Absorption of the flavin dimers

The electronic absorption spectra of the flavomononucleotide (FMN) in aqueous solution and in glycerine-water solution with change of the dye concentration have been measured. The FMN dimer absorption spectrum, monomer absorption spectrum, dimerization constant K and molar fraction of the monomer were calculated. It was found that FMN dimerization constants in aqueous solution were K_a = 118.0 l/mol and in glycerine K_g = 20.5 l/mol. In the region of the monomer absorption band two dimer absorption bands appear, in accordance with the Kasha molecular exciton theory.     

In Vitro Detoxification of Aflatoxin B1, Deoxynivalenol,Fumonisins, T-2 Toxin and Zearalenone by Probiotic Bacteria from Genus Lactobacillus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Yeast

The aim of the following research was to determine the detoxification properties of probiotic Lactobacillus sp. bacteria (12 strains) and S. cerevisiae yeast (6 strains) towards mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin B₁, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, T-2 toxin and zearalenone, which pose as frequent feed contamination. The experiment involved analysing changes in concentration of mycotoxins in PBS solutions, after 6, 12 and 24 h of incubation with monocultures of tested microorganisms, measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). We found that all strains detoxified the mycotoxins, with the highest reduction in concentration observed for the fumonisin B₁ and B₂ mixture, ranging between 62 and 77% for bacterial strains and 67–74% for yeast. By contrast, deoxynivalenol was the most resistant mycotoxin: its concentration was reduced by 19–39% by Lactobacillus sp. strains and 22–43% by yeast after 24 h of incubation. High detoxification rates for aflatoxin B₁, T-2 toxin and zearalenone were also observed, with concentration reduced on average by 60%, 61% and 57% by Lactobacillus, respectively, and 65%, 69% and 52% by yeast, respectively. The greatest extent of reduction in the concentration for all mycotoxins was observed after 6 h of incubation; however, a decrease in concentration was noted even after 24 h of incubation. Thus, the tested microorganisms can potentially be used as additives to decrease the concentrations of toxins in animal feed.

     

Compositional turnover and variation in Eemian pollen sequences in Europe

Vegetation History and Archaeobotany - The Eemian interglacial represents a natural experiment on how past vegetation with negligible human impact responded to amplified temperature changes...     

Phytochemical variability during vegetation of Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub genotypes derived from in vitro cultures

The purpose of the study was to evaluate Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub genotypes for preliminary selection and further breeding programs aimed at obtaining a suitable industrial form for the pharmaceutical applications. Clonally propagated plants representing 10 genotypes of Ch. angustifolium were regenerated under in vitro conditions, hardened and planted in the field. Studies included an evaluation of shoot proliferation, phytochemical assessment of in vitro and ex vitro plants as well as investigations of intraspecies variability regarding four phenological stages: vegetative, beginning of blooming, full blooming, and green fruit phases. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of bioactive compounds were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and tandem mass spectrometer (HPLC–DAD–MS/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods. The efficiency of shoot multiplication varied between genotypes from 8.12 to 21.48 shoots per explant. A high reproduction rate (>?20 shoots per explant) was recorded for four lines (PL_45, PL_44, PL_58, DE_2). Plants grown in vitro synthesized oenothein B (11.2–22.3 mg g^?1 DW) and caffeic acid derivatives. Plants harvested from field contained the full spectrum of polyphenols characteristic for this species, and oenothein B and quercetin 3-O-glucuronide were the most abundant. The maximal content of oenothein B was determined in the vegetative phase of fireweed, while some flavonoids were found in the highest amount in full blooming phase. The results of analysis of variance indicated significant differences among genotypes in oenothein B, 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid and flavonoids accumulation in four phenological phases. PL_44 plants were characterized by high content of oenothein B and quercetin 3-O-glucuronide as well as a relatively high level of other flavonoids. Based on our phytochemical and micropropagation studies, PL_44 genotype was the best candidate for early selection and further breeding programs.

     

Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. in Dermacentor reticulatus ticks found within the city of Białystok,Poland—first data

Pathogens carried by ticks pose a threat to both human and animal health across the world. Typically associated with rural landscapes, ticks appear to adapt well to life in urban recreational areas. Although Dermacentor reticulatus is commonly found across Europe, data on the prevalence of pathogens in this tick species, in an urban environment, are very limited. PCR was used to examine 368 D. reticulatus individuals collected in the Zwierzyniecki Forest Nature Reserve in Bia?ystok, Poland. In total, 10.3% of ticks were infected, with Babesia spp. (9.2%), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (0.8%) and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (0.3%). Rickettsia spp., Bartonella spp., and Coxiella burnetii were not detected. Sequence analysis for Babesia-positive samples identified 79.4% of them as Babesia canis, 8.8% as Babesia microti, 5.9% as Babesia spp., 2.9% as Babesia venatorum, and 2.9% as Babesia vogeli. Results obtained in this study indicate that D. reticulatus ticks found within the urban premises of the study area are infected with at least three pathogens and therefore are an important factor in public health risk for tick-borne diseases.

     

Diet and trophic position of two mackerel species in the archipelago of Madeira,Portugal

The Atlantic chub mackerel Scomber colias and the blue jack mackerel Trachurus picturatus are two abundant species in the Macaronesia region which includes the archipelago of Madeira, Portugal. Both are key species in the trophic web, being important prey for several local top predators, such as seabirds and marine mammals. Nonetheless, little is known about their feeding ecology in oceanic environments. In this study, the authors describe the seasonal variation in the diet of S. colias and T. picturatus in the oceanic region of Madeira throughout a year. Visual inspection of stomach contents revealed that S. colias fed on a broader range of prey groups than T. picturatus, but for both species, zooplankton (particularly calanoid copepods) and fish were the most important food items. The diet of S. colias included a higher proportion of fish, namely Atlantic saury Scomberesox saurus and S. colias, than that of T. picturatus, that included mostly the longspine snipefish Macroramphosus scolopax. T. picturatus consumed a higher proportion of decapods and other copepods. Seasonal variation was found in the diet of both species, with zooplanktonic species being more important in colder months (February to April) for S. colias and during warm months (May to October) for T. picturatus. Their diet in other seasons was dominated by fish. Although they consume similar prey, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis of muscle of S. colias and T. picturatus showed little overlap in their diets, and T. picturatus showed higher δ¹⁵N and a narrower isotopic niche.     

The Cytotoxicity of Anti-PAI-I Oligonucleotides and Their Conjugates

Abstract

The cytotoxicity of anti-PAI-5 hexadecanucleotides (phosphodiesters and phosphorothioates) and their conjugates with lipophilic alcohols was tested in EA.hy 926 hybrid endothelial cells. Some cytotoxicity was found for cholesteryl and bornyl conjugates at concentrations higher than those used for antisense inhibition experiments.