Epigenetic natural variation in Arabidopsis thaliana

Cytosine methylation of repetitive sequences is widespread in plant genomes, occurring in both symmetric (CpG and CpNpG) as well as asymmetric sequence contexts. We used the methylation-dependent restriction enzyme McrBC to profile methylated DNA using tiling microarrays of Arabidopsis Chromosome 4 in two distinct ecotypes, Columbia and Landsberg erecta. We also used comparative genome hybridization to profile copy number polymorphisms. Repeated sequences and transposable elements (TEs), especially long terminal repeat retrotransposons, are densely methylated, but one third of genes also have low but detectable methylation in their transcribed regions. While TEs are almost always methylated, genic methylation is highly polymorphic, with half of all methylated genes being methylated in only one of the two ecotypes. A survey of loci in 96 Arabidopsis accessions revealed a similar degree of methylation polymorphism. Within-gene methylation is heritable, but is lost at a high frequency in segregating F₂ families. Promoter methylation is rare, and gene expression is not generally affected by differences in DNA methylation. Small interfering RNA are preferentially associated with methylated TEs, but not with methylated genes, indicating that most genic methylation is not guided by small interfering RNA. This may account for the instability of gene methylation, if occasional failure of maintenance methylation cannot be restored by other means.     

Ground beetle assemblages and distribution of functional traits in olive orchards and vineyards depend on the agricultural management practice

BioControl - Biodiversity in the Mediterranean is undergoing a decline resulting in reduced ecosystem service provisions. Here we analysed the functional diversity of ground beetles in...     

Importance of an appropriate visual presentation for avoiding a misconception of the menstrual cycle

Family planning, the prevention of unwanted pregnancy, and women’s reproductive health are topics that have received close attention for decades. It would therefore be fair to assume that there exists a good knowledge of the menstrual cycle. However, it is clear that many people have various misconceptions about the menstrual cycle and fertile days or ovulation, and that this process is still largely taught with the aid of materials and images that have not changed for many years. We investigated the effect of moving away from the usual teaching practice of using a 28-day diagram showing ovulation on the 14th day. A total of 184 students from three different high schools, aged between 17 and 18, participated in this research. The students who were taught using three diagrams showing different durations of the menstrual cycle showed a significantly better adoption of the facts and concepts compared to the students who were taught using a diagram of the average 28-day cycle. Our results confirmed that it is highly important to use appropriate visual displays in the teaching of the menstrual cycle and that it is essential to enhance the visual literacy of students and teachers.     

Application of the salt stress to the protoplast cultures of the carrot (Daucus carota L.) and evaluation of the response of regenerants to soil salinity

This is the first study to generate carrot plants for enhanced salinity tolerance using a single-cell in vitro system. Protoplasts of three carrot accessions were exposed to treatment by seven different concentrations of NaCl (10–400 mM). Salt concentrations higher than 50 mM decreased plating efficiency and those of 200–400 mM of NaCl completely arrested mitotic divisions of cultured cells. The protoplast-derived plants from the control and 50–100 mM NaCl treatment were subjected to an 8-week salt stress in greenhouse conditions induced by salinized soil (EC 3 and 6 mS cm^?1). 50 mM NaCl stress applied in vitro induced polyploidy among regenerated plants. The regenerants obtained from the 50 and 100 mM NaCl-treated protoplast cultures grown in saline soil had a higher survival rate compared to the regenerants from the control cultures. The salt-stressed plants accumulated anthocyanins in petioles and produced denser hairs on leaves and petioles in comparison to the control plants. Salt stress influenced pollen viability and seed setting of obtained regenerants. The results suggest that salt stress applied in vitro in protoplast cultures creates variation which allows alleviating the negative effects of salt stress on the development and reproduction of the carrot.

     

Metabolism of angiotensin I by guinea pig aqueous humor

We investigated the degradation of angiotensin I (Ang I) by guinea pig aqueous humor at physiological pH (pH 7.4) and assessed the activity of responsible enzymes using various enzyme inhibitors. The aqueous humor was incubated with Ang I in the presence or absence of an enzyme inhibitor at 37 degrees C for the appropriate time period. The resulting peptides were analyzed by a Beckman HPLC system with a Waters microBondapak C18 analytical column using a 30-min increasing linear gradient of 10 to 40% acetonitrile containing 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and H2O containing 0.05% TFA at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Detection was done by absorbance at 214 nm. Angiotensin II (Ang II) was a major product (39.3+/-4.10 nmol x h(-1) mL(-1), n = 5) of Ang I hydrolysis. Traces of angiotensin 1-9, angiotensin IV, and angiotensin 1-7 were also produced. Chymostatin (0.05 mmol/L), EDTA (1 mmol/L), enalaprilat (0.1 mmol/L), and ebelacton B (0.01 mmol/L) inhibited generation of Ang II from Ang I by guinea pig aqueous humor by 89+/-4.6, 56+/-7.6, 33+/-5.1, 20+/-6.5%, respectively. Our findings indicate that guinea pig aqueous humor contains several enzymes that can form Ang II. The chymostatin-sensitive type of enzyme was the most active one found in guinea pig aqueous humor. Angiotensin I converting enzyme, carboxypeptidase A, and deamidase may also contribute to angiotensin II formation in guinea pig ocular fluid.     

Modulation of CD8+ T cell response to antigen by the levels of self MHC class I

The response of H-Y-specific TCR-transgenic CD8(+) T cells to Ag is characterized by poor proliferation, cytolytic activity, and IFN-gamma secretion. IFN-gamma secretion, but not cytotoxic function, can be rescued by the B7.1 molecule, suggesting that costimulation can selectively enhance some, but not all, effector CD8(+) T cell responses. Although the H-Y epitope binds H-2D(b) relatively less well than some other epitopes, it can induce potent CTL responses in nontransgenic mice, suggesting that the observed poor responsiveness of transgenic CD8(+) T cells cannot be ascribed to the epitope itself. Previously reported reactivity of this TCR to H-2A(b) is also not the cause of the poor responsiveness of the H-Y-specific CD8(+) T cells, as H-Y-specific CD8(+) T cells obtained from genetic backgrounds lacking H-2A(b) also responded poorly. Rather, reducing the levels of H-2(b) class I molecules by breeding the mice to (C57BL/6 x B10.D2)F(1) or TAP1(+/-) backgrounds partially restored cytotoxic activity and enhanced proliferative responses. These findings demonstrate that the self MHC class I gene dosage may regulate the extent of CD8(+) T cell responsiveness to Ag.     

Platelet serotonin concentration in dialysis patients with somatic symptoms of depression

Platelet serotonin (5-HT) concentration was measured in 65 male and 45 female chronic renal patients on hemodialysis (HD) with different somatic symptoms of depression (crying spells, irritability, sleep disturbance, fatigability, loss of appetite, weight loss, somatic preoccupation and loss of libido), to find out the relationship between the severity of symptoms and platelet 5-HT concentration. Male and female patients had significantly lower platelet 5-HT concentration than 62 male and 38 female healthy subjects. Gender-differences in platelet 5-HT values observed in healthy subjects were not found in patients. Platelet 5-HT concentration differed in the groups of patients with the different scores of particular somatic symptoms (loss of appetite and loss of libido), but was similar in patients with other somatic symptoms. There was no relationship between platelet 5-HT concentration and the severity of somatic symptoms, or between platelet 5-HT concentration and age of the patients. Gender-related differences in the occurrence of somatic symptoms were detected in patients with the different degrees of weight loss, somatic preoccupation and loss of libido. Our results suggest that platelet 5-HT concentration could not be used as a biological marker for the severity of somatic symptoms in chronic renal patients on HD.     

Contributo alla conoscenza dell'ecologia delle biocenosi sulle cascade travertinose nella regione Carstica Jugoslava

Riassunto Il nostro lavoro di molti anni sulle cascade travertinose dei fiumi carstici jugoslavi era diretto verso le esplorazioni delle condizioni di vita su questi specifici biotopi. A causa di questa specificità loro erano potuti popolati solo da determinati specie di piante e di animali, i queli sono adattati su queste condizioni speciali. Esse creano le associazioni, ai queli fa la base la vigorosa vegetazione di muschi e di alghe, e un po'di meno anche di altri piante. Questa vegetazione e accompagnata da numerosi rappresentanti dai diversi gruppi di animali, come queli di Turbellaria, Gastropoda, Oligochaeta, Hirudinea, Amphipoda, Insecta ed a.Dai fattori ecologici erano esplorati le condizioni di vita fisicochimiche e biologiche. In estate la temperatura dell'aqua era sempre oltre la temperatura-limite di deposizione (oltre 14° C), e durante l'inverno generalmente erano le condizioni inconvenienti per i processi di deposizione.Nella parte superficiale delle cascade abiamo constatato due specie di abitazione in relazione della luce. Forte illuminate cascade erano popolate dalle associazioni della luce, ed a causa di meno calcificata vegetazione erano molto più. ricche di animali. Meno illuminate cascade avevano più favorevoli condizioni per il sviluppo della vegetazione travertinosa, la quale era molto calcificata, the cosa non porgeva favorevoli condizioni per il sviluppo del mondo animale.Abiamo constatato the la più favorevole velocità dell'aqua per lo sviluppo dei organismi, i quali popolano i posti delle cascade travertinose, è tra 0,5 e l,5 m/sec., sebbene sui singoli abitazioni la velocita dell'aqua era fra 0,5–3,5 m/sec.A causa di una favorevole alcalità, la quale nelle aque esplorate ammonta tra 2,8 e 5,2, i processi di deposizione sono molto attivi. E costattato un graduale abassamento dell'alcalità in direzione scendente del flume, the cosa si mette in relazione colla perdita del carbonato durante il processo di deposizione.La quantità del ossigeno ammontava da 3,5–9 ccm/l. e perciò generalmente tutte queste aque si possono considerare come poliossitipiche.Per le biocenosi delle cascade travertinose e caratteristica una grande dinamica nel Toro sviluppo. Le più primitive forme delle associazioni sono composte principalmente dai idrofiti. Con un avanzato sviluppo delle formazioni travertinose appariscono nuove stazioni con nuove associazioni. Il climax presenta la vegetazione fanerogama, la quala crew stazioni ombreggiate, dove si sviluppa speciale vegetazione travertinosa dell' ombra. Questi cambiamenti di vegetazione vengono accompagnati da numerose specie di animali dei gruppi Amphipoda, Ephemerida, Trichoptera, Plecoptera, Coleoptera ed a.In fine sono dimostrate le principali caratteristiche di vita in relazione colle condizioni fisico-chimiche e biologiche.

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Summary For a number of years, our work on travertine cascades of Yugoslav Karstic rivers has been directed towards the study of living conditions in these specific biotypes. Owing to their specificity, they could have been inhabited only by certain plant and animal species which have been adapted to these specific conditions. Their communities have been created on a rich moss and seaweed vegetation basis and, to a somewhat smaller extent, also on that of other plants. This vegetation is accompanied by numerous representatives of various animal groups such as: turbellaria, gastropods, oligochaeta, hirudinoids, amphipods, insects et al.As far as ecologic factors are concerned, physical, chemical and biological living conditions have been studied. In summer, water temperature is always above the deposition boundary (above 14°C), while in winter, conditions are generally unfavourable for deposition processes.In connection with light, two habitats were observed on the surface parts of the cascades. The strongly lighted cascades were inhabited by light communities which were considerably richer in animal population, owing to poorly calcified vegetation. As to the development of travertine vegetation, poorly lighted cascades which had been amply calcified, were in a much more favourable position and thus provided unfavourable conditions for the development of animal life.The water speed most favourable for the development of organisms inhabiting travertine cascades has been found to lie between 0.5 and 1.5 meters per second, although in individual habitats water speed amounted to between 0.5 and 3.5 meters per second.Owing to favourable alkalinity, amounting, in the waters investigated, to between 2.8 and 5.2, depositing processes have been very intense. The gradual lowering of alkalinity in the downstream course of rivers, which is brought into connection with the losing of carbonates during the deposition process, has also been established.As the quantity of oxygen amounted to between 3.5–9 ccm/l, these waters can be considered to be polyoxitypical.The biocenosis on travertine cascades are characterized by their very dynamic development. The most primitive forms of communities are mainly composed of hydrophytes. The further development of travertine forms brings about new habitats with new communities. The climax is represented by phanerogamic vegetation, creating rocky habitats where special travertine shade vegetation develops. These changes in vegetation have been accompanied by numerous animal species of the afore-mentioned groups.Finaly, the main characteristics of life in terms of physical, chemical and biological conditions have been presented.

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Zusammenfassung Die mehrjärige Arbeit der Autoren auf den Kalktuffbildenden Wasserfällen der jugoslawischen Karstgewässer war den Erforschungen der Lebensbedingungen auf diesen spezifischen Biotopen gewidmet. Wegen ihrer Eigentümlichkeit konnten die Kalktuffwasserfälle nur von bestimmten Pflanzen- und Tierarten besiedelt werden, die an these besonderen Bedingungen angepasst sind. Sie bilden Gemeinschaften auf eine üppige Moos- und Algenvegetation und etwas weniger auch auf anderen Pflanzen. Diese Vegetation wird von zahlreichen Vertretern verschiedener Tiergruppen begleitet, wie Turbellaria, Gastropoda, Oligochaeta, Hirudinea, Amphipoda, Insecta u.a.Von ökologischen Faktoren wurden die physikalisch-chemischen und biologischen Bedingungen untersucht. Im Sommer war die Wassertemperatuur immer über der Grenztemperatur der Ablagerung (über 14°C), während die Ablagerungsbedingungen im Winter im allgemeinen ungünstig waren.In den oberflächenlichen Teilen der Wässer\:falle wurden, im Verhältnis zu dem Licht, zwei Arten von Standorten festgestellt. Die stark belichteten Wasserfälle sind von Lichtgerneinschaften besiedelt, die wegen der weniger kalzifizierten Vegetation viel mehr Tiere enthalten. Weniger belichtete Wasserfälle zeigen günstigere Bedingungen für eine Entwicklung der Kalktuffvegetation. Diese Vegetation wird sehr kalzifiziert und ist für der Entwicklung der Tierwelt ungünstig.Es wurde festgestellt, dass die günstige Wassergeschwindigkeit für die Entwicklung von Organismen, die die Standorte der Kalktuffwasserfälle besiedeln, zwischen 0,5 and 1,5 m-Sek ist, wiewohl die Wassergeschwindigkeit an einzelnen Standorten zwischen 0,5 and 3,5 m-Sek betrug.Wegen der günstigen Alkalität (2,8–5,2) sind die Ablagerungsvorgänge sehr aktiv. Flussabwärts wurde ein allmählicher Fall der Alkalitätwerte festgestellt, was auf den Verlust des Karbonates während der Ablagerungsvorgänge zurückgeführt wird.Die Sauerstoffmenge beträgt zwischen 3,5–9 ccm/l; im allgemeinen können wir deshalb all these Gewässer als polyoxytypisch betrachten.Für die Gemeinschaften der Kalktuffwasserfälle ist eine grosse Dynamik in ihrer Entwicklung charakteristisch. Die primitivsten Formen der Lebensgemeinschaften sind hauptsächlich aus Hydrophyten zusammengesetzt. Mit der weiteren Entwicklung der Kalktufformen erscheinen neue Standorte mit neuen Gemeinschaften. Das Klimax stellt die Vegetation der höheren Pflanzen tar, die Schattenstandorte macht, wo sich eine besondere Schattenkalktuf-vegetation entwickelt. Diese Vegetationsänderungen werden von zahlreichen Tierarten der genanten Gruppen begleitet.Zum Schluss wird die Hauptcharakteristik des Lebens in Bezug auf die physikalisch-chemischen und biologischen Bedingungen dargestellt.

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Botaniki institut Univerziteta Zagreb

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Bioloki institut Univerziteta Zagreb