Phylogeny and biogeography of the alpine newt Mesotriton alpestris (Salamandridae, Caudata), inferred from mtDNA sequences

In this paper, we performed phylogenetic analyses of Mesotriton alpestris populations from the entire range of species distribution, using fragments of two mtDNA genes, cytochrome b (309bp) and 16S rRNA ( approximately 500bp). Sequence diversity patterns and phylogenetic analyses reveal the existence of a relict lineage (Clade A) of late Miocene origin, comprising populations from south-eastern Serbia. This lineage is proposed to be ancestor to a western and an eastern lineage, which diverged during the middle Pliocene. The western lineage is further divided in two clades (Clades B, C) of middle Pliocene origin that represent populations from Italy (B) and populations from central Europe and Iberia (C). Further subdivision, dated back to the middle-late Pliocene, was found within the eastern lineage, representing southern (Clade D) and central-northern (Clade E) Balkan populations, respectively. Extensive sequence divergence, implying greater isolation in multiple refugia, is found within eastern clades, while the western clades seem to have been involved in the colonization of central, western and north-eastern Europe from a hypothetical refugium in central Europe. The extent of divergence does not support the current taxonomy indicating cryptic speciation in the Balkans, while paedomorphic lineages were found to have been evolved during early-middle Pleistocene probably as a response to the ongoing dramatic climatic oscillations.     

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in exon 10 of the chinchilla growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene

The aim of this study was to detect SNPs in exon 10 of the chinchilla growth hormone receptor gene (GHR) by comparative sequencing. Sixty females of the same breed (Standard) were analysed. Four new SNPs were identified, which cause 3 amino acid substitutions in the intracellular domain of the receptor: G/C at position 135 bp (in relation to the total sequence of exon 10) (gln/his), CAG/AAA at 352 bp and 354 bp (gln/lys), and C/A at 641 bp (thr/asn).     

Effects of estradiol benzoate and progesterone on superoxide dismutase activity in the thymus of rats

The activity of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and cytosol superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) was measured in corresponding subcellular fractions prepared from the thymi of intact and chronically gonadectomized (GX) rats of both sexes, as well as of GX male and female rats injected subcutaneously with a single dose of 5 microg estradiol benzoate (EB) and/or 2 mg progesterone (P). Animals were sacrificed 2 h or 24 h following hormone treatment. In the females, the activity of MnSOD in the thymus was stable during the estrous cycle and did not change after ovariectomy. Treatment of GX females with estradiol benzoate resulted 2 h later in a significant elevation of MnSOD activity, whereas 24 h later the activity returned back to control values. On the other hand, treatment of GX females with progesterone had no effect on the MnSOD activity. However, combined hormone treatment, in which EB injection preceded progesterone injection by one hour, enhanced the effect on MnSOD activity similar to that of estradiol benzoate alone. The activity of CuZnSOD in cycling rats was increased in proestrus, whereas removal of the ovaries kept the values at low diestrus and estrus levels. Contrary to MnSOD, CuZnSOD activity did not change after EB treatment of GX females, while progesterone increased the enzyme activity at 2 h and 24 h after hormone treatment. However, combined EB+P treatment proved to be ineffective. In the males, neither MnSOD nor CuZnSOD activity was affected by the removal of testes or by progesterone treatment of GX animals. Only EB injection to GX rats significantly increased CuZnSOD activity 24 h later.     

The contribution of endophytic bacteria to Albizia lebbeck-mediated phytoremediation of tannery effluent contaminated soil

Toxicity of chromium often impairs the remediation capacity of plants used in phytoremediation of polluted soils. In this study, we have identified Albizia lebbeck as a prospective chromium hyperaccumulator and examined cultivable diversity of endophytes present in chromium-treated and control saplings. High numbers (22–100%) of endophytic bacteria, isolated from root, stem, and leaf tissues, could tolerate elevated (1–3 mM) concentrations of K₂CrO₇. 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic analysis showed that the 118 isolates obtained comprised of 17 operational taxonomic units affiliated with the proteobacterial genera Rhizobium (18%), Marinomonas (1%), Pseudomonas (16%), and Xanthomonas (7%) but also with members of Firmicutes genera, such as Bacillus (35%) and Salinococcus (3%). The novel isolates belonging to Salinococcus and Bacillus could tolerate high K₂CrO₇ concentrations (3 mM) and also showed elevated activity of chromate reductase. In addition, majority (%) of the endophytic isolates also showed production of indole-3-acetic acid. Taken together, our results indicate that the innate endophytic bacterial community assists plants in reducing heavy metal toxicity.     

Immunohistochemical study of cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix components in the notochord and notochordal sheath of amphioxus

A major cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix proteins of the amphioxus notochordal cells and sheath were detected by immunohistochemical techniques. The three-layered amphioxus notochordal sheath strongly expressed fish collagen type I in its outer and middle layers, while in the innermost layer expression did not occur. The amphioxus notochordal sheath was reactive to applied anti-human antibodies for intermediate filament proteins such as cytokeratins, desmin and vimentin, as well as to microtubule components (beta-tubulin), particularly in the area close to the epipharyngeal groove. Alpha-smooth muscle actin was expressed in some notochordal cells and in the area of the notochordal attachment to the sheath. Thus muscular nature of notochordal cells was shown by immunohistochemistry in tissue section. Our results confirm that genes encoding intermediate filament proteins, microtubules and microfilaments are highly conserved during evolution. Collagen type I was proven to be the key extracellular matrix protein that forms the amphioxus notochordal sheath.     

Trabeculectomy with mitomycin C in glaucoma associated with uveitis

The patients with uveitic glaucoma are at high risk for failure following drainage surgery because of young age of these patients, preoperative long-term control of inflammation and postoperative complications. Twenty-two trabeculectomies performed in 22 patients with uveitic glaucoma were retrospectively evaluated to analyze the effect of intraoperative application of mitomycin C (MMC). Success rates, postoperative levels of intraocular pressure (IOP) and postoperative complications were studied. After a mean follow-up of 10.6 months (range, 5-28 months), 15 patients (68.2%) achieved IOP of 21mmHg or less without antiglaucoma medications. There were statistically significant reduction in IOP postoperatively during the period studied (p < 0.001). Early postoperative complications included chorioidal detachment (9.1%), shallow anterior chamber (9.1%), hyphema (13.6%), macular edema (4.5%) and raised IOP (27.3%). Late postoperative complications included exacerbation of uveitis (4.5%), macular edema (4.5%), cataract (22.7%) and raised IOP (31.8%). The eyes with raised IOP needed additional antiglaucoma medication. The results of this retrospective and uncontrolled study suggest that intraoperative application of MMC may be a good option for enhancement of short-term trabeculectomy success rates in patients with uveitic glaucoma.     

Inheritance of quantitative traits in crosses between two <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pisum sativum</Emphasis> subspecies with particular reference to their breeding value

The experimental study was conducted during the period of 2008–2010 at the experimental field of the Institute of Forage Crops in Pleven. The hybridization scheme included direct and back crosses covering four varieties of forage pea (Pisum sativum L.), namely two spring ones, Usatii 90 and Kamerton from Ukraine, and a winter one from Bulgaria, Pleven 10. There was analyzed the inheritance of quantitative traits such as plant height, height to first pod, pod number per plant, seed number per plant, seed number per pod, seed weight per plant and number of fertile nodes per plant of parental components (P₁ and P₂) and both first (F₁) and second (F₂) hybrid generations. The cross Usatii 90 × Pleven 10 showed the highest real heterosis effect for plant height (8.26%), pods per plant (158.79%), seeds per plant (272.16%), seeds per pod (42.09%), seed weight per plant (432.43%) and number of fertile nodes per plant (117.14%). The cross Pleven 10 × Usatii 90 had the highest real heterosis effect height to first pod (11.06%). In F₂ plants, the strongest depression for plant height (5.88%), seeds per plant (57.88%), seeds per pod (55.93%) and seed weight per plant (55.99%) was in the cross Usatii 90 × Pleven 10, for height to first pod (1.47%) in the cross Kamerton × Pleven 10 and for number of fertile nodes per plant (15.91%) in the cross Pleven 10 × Usatii 90. The highest positive degree of transgression for number of fertile nodes per plant (165.64%) and seed weight per plant (162.10%) was in the cross Pleven 10 × Kamerton and for pod number per plant (102.54%) and seeds per plant (99.13%) in Kamerton × Pleven 10. The stability of the characters was determined. Low variability in F₁ and F₂ was found in plant height (3.97–6.85%). Variability of number seeds per plant in F₁ was highest (11.86–33.23%). For all other traits, the variability varied from average to high. A lower narrow-sense heritability coefficient was observed for plant height, height to first pod, pods per plant, seeds per plant and seed weight per plant (from 0.001 to 0.230). In few cases, such as in fertile nodes per plant (0.39 and 0.81) and seeds per pod (0.44), the coefficients of broad-sense heritability were higher.     

Personal identification by eyes

Identification of persons through the eyes is in the field of biometrical science. Many security systems are based on biometric methods of personal identification, to determine whether a person is presenting itself truly. The human eye contains an extremely large number of individual characteristics that make it particularly suitable for the process of identifying a person. Today, the eye is considered to be one of the most reliable body parts for human identification. Systems using iris recognition are among the most secure biometric systems.     

Interaction of gibberellins and fusicoccin in growth retardant- and far red light-inhibited germination of lettuce seeds

Germination of lettuce seeds cv. May Queen iscompletely prevented either with 10 µM tetcyclacisor with continuous FR illumination. GA₃ and the N-substituted phtalimide, AC 94,377, werepartially effective in overcoming tetcyclacis-inducedinhibition but ineffective on photoinhibited seeds. FCcompletely reversed tetcyclacis inhibition and inducedca. 60% germination in continuous FR light. Aninteraction between FC and GA₃ (as well asbetween FC and AC 94,377) was evident in stimulationof germination under both inhibitory conditions.Interaction was calculated as a ratio of thepercentage of seeds germinated under the simultaneousaction of stimulators compared to their additiveeffect. This was 2.54 for tetcyclacis- and 2.95 forphotoinhibited seeds. It is concluded that thistype of interaction is promotive synergism. Themagnitude of the interaction was highest if theapplication of FC was delayed after GA₃application, and the optimal time lag was 6 h fortetcyclacis-inhibited, or 24 h for photoinhibited seeds.