Enantiomer Distribution of Major Chiral Volatile Organic Compounds in Selected Types of Herbal Honeys

In this article, volatile organic compounds in 14 honey samples (rosemary, eucalyptus, orange, thyme, sage, and lavender) were identified. Volatile organic compounds were extracted using a solid phase microextraction method followed by gas chromatography connected with mass spectrometry analysis. The studied honey samples were compared based on their volatile organic compounds composition. In total, more than 180 compounds were detected in the studied samples. The detected compounds belong to various chemical classes such as terpenes, alcohols, acids, aldehydes, ketones, esters, norisoprenoids, benzene and furane derivatives, and organic compounds containing sulfur and nitrogen heteroatom. Ten chiral compounds (linalool, trans‐linalool oxide, cis‐linalool oxide, 4‐terpineol, α‐terpineol, hotrienol, and four stereoisomers of lilac aldehydes) were selected for further chiral separation. Chirality 26:670‐674, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Limitations to the use of arthropods as temperate forests indicators

Because arthropods dominate terrestrial ecosystems in species number and biomass, they can potentially play a major role as environmental indicators in applied ecology and nature conservation. We tested the suitability of arthropods as indicators for particular forest types based on a comprehensive standardized sampling of various taxa by different trap types in 93 mature temperate forest sites in three regions of Germany. We tested whether indicator species (1) can be derived for different forest types across regions, (2) are more widespread and more abundant than non-indicator ones, (3) belong to a particular taxon or trophic guild, and (4) are consistent between regions and years. Among 2041 sampled arthropod species, only four were significant indicator species for the same forest type in all region, and no single taxon or guild performed better than other groups. Indicators were generally more abundant and more widespread than non-indicators, but both abundance and distribution varied widely between species. When the analysis was repeated using data from the next year, indicator values of species significantly correlated between years, but the identity of more than 50 % of significant indicators changed, suggesting high among-year variability. We conclude that overall, arthropods did not turn out to be reliable indicators, at least at the scale of Germany. If anything, arthropod indicator species should be defined at the regional scale. Furthermore, indicators should be selected across taxa and trophic levels. Future evaluation of indicator species among arthropods should be conducted over several years based on standardized sampling protocols to develop a reliable definition of indicator species despite the high fluctuations in abundance of species among arthropods, which might either mask or overestimate the indicator value of particular species.     

Mapping of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hieracium</Emphasis> (Asteraceae) chromosomes with genus-specific satDNA elements derived from next-generation sequencing data

The highly repetitive DNA fraction of the eukaryotic genome is considered a mobile, rapidly changing entity, thus reflecting trajectories of short-term evolutionary change. It consists of several large classes in which transposable elements and satellite DNA (satDNA) predominate. Despite a growing awareness of its structure and functional significance, the evolutionary dynamics of repetitive elements and, particularly, satDNA remain poorly characterized. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has opened up new possibilities for high-throughput genome analysis. Here, we applied satDNA repeatome elements derived from NGS data as probes for fluorescence in situ hybridization to characterize the karyotypes of three diploid hawkweed species of the predominantly polyploid apomictic genus Hieracium, namely H. intybaceum, H. prenanthoides and H. alpinum. Three cluster-distributed, genus-specific satDNA elements that are not present in the sister genus Pilosella were identified; notably, one element spans the functional centromeres. Each of the investigated diploids possessed a species-specific assortment of detected repeats. Their utilization as molecular-cytogenetic markers, in combination with ribosomal DNA loci, allowed for the development of a system to identify the individual chromosomes of the Hieracium species, thus providing a basis for the future investigation of karyotype evolution in diploid hawkweeds and for exploring satDNA dynamics in hybrids and apomicts of allopolyploid origin.     

Microsatellite markers polymorphism in the breeding nutria (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Myocastor coypus</Emphasis>) population in Poland

The aim of the research was to establish a microsatellite panel to determine the genetic diversity within the breeding nutria population in Poland. In the study, 92 animals representing six color forms were used. Ten fluorescently labeled microsatellite markers were investigated by multicolored capillary electrophoresis. All the microsatellites were polymorphic. The average heterozygosity observed among the population was 41%. The mean number of alleles per locus was 9.2. The average heterozygosity observed in the whole population was lower than expected. This implies that the nutria population deviates from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Low M values (from 0.078 to 0.545) of the Garza–Williamson index reveal a reduction of genetic variation in the investigated population and suggest that the breeding nutria population is remnant.     

Finite element analysis of the transfer of sound in the myringosclerotic ear

This work presents a biomechanical study of myringosclerosis (MS), an abnormal condition of the ear that produces calcification of the lamina propria of the eardrum. The study researched the transfer of sound to the stapes depending on the localization, dimension and calcification degree of the MS plaques. Results were obtained using a validated finite element model of the ear. The mechanical properties of the lamina propria were modified, in order to model MS plaques, using the rule of mixtures for particle composites considering that the plaques are made of hydroxyapatite particles in a matrix of connective tissue. Results show that the localization and dimension of the plaques are a factor of higher importance than calcification for loss of hearing through MS. The mobility of the stapes decreased with the presence of larger plaques and also when the tympanic annulus and the area of the handle of the malleus were involved.