Highly divergent mitogenomes of Geukensia demissa (Bivalvia,Mytilidae) with extreme AT content

Complete sequences of two lineage-specific mitogenomes from mytilid bivalve Geukensia demissa are reported, confirming the existence of doubly uniparental inheritance system in this species. The reported mitogenomes show extreme sequence divergence; at protein level, it is in the range of 12%–55%, exceeding the highest values known from this family to date. Moreover, these mitogenomes are also extraordinarily AT-rich (~72%) making them the most compositionally biased mitogenomes from this family. The compositional bias is even more extreme at neutral sites, reaching 80% AT there. Despite high-sequence divergence, the mitogenomes are both compositionally and structurally similar, with only four trn genes relocated and overall gene order very similar to the phylogenetically close mitogenomes of Perumytilus purpuratus. Lineage-specific differences are limited to the non-coding regions and a short cox2 extension present in the paternally inherited M mitogenome. Phylogenetic analysis shows deeper separation of M and F lineages in Geukensia, than in Perumytilus consistent with higher protein divergence. It can be speculated that stronger mutational pressure in Geukensia is driving faster evolution of its mitogenomes.     

Estimation of thickness of concentration boundary layers by osmotic volume flux determination

The estimation method of the concentration boundary layers thicknesses (δ) in a single-membrane system containing non-electrolytic binary or ternary solutions was devised using the Kedem-Katchalsky formalism. A square equation used in this method contains membrane transport (L(p), σ, ω) and solution (D, C) parameters as well as a volume osmotic flux (J(v)). These values can be determined in a series of independent experiments. Calculated values δ are nonlinearly dependent on the concentrations of investigated solutions and the membrane system configuration. These nonlinearities are the effect of a competition between spontaneously occurring diffusion and natural convection. The mathematical model based on Kedem-Katchalsky equations and a concentration Rayleigh number (R(C)) was presented. On the basis of this model we introduce the dimensionless parameter, called by us a Katchalsky number (Ka), modifies R(C) of membrane transport. The critical value of this number well describes a moment of transition from the state of diffusion into convective diffusion membrane transport.     

Enhanced expression of Fas Ligand (FasL) in the lower airways of patients with fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (ILDs)

The exact role of FasL, and particularly its soluble and membrane-bound forms, in the development of chronic ILDs and lung fibrosis has not been extensively explored. We aimed at analyzing membrane-bound FasL expression on alveolar macrophages (AM) and lymphocytes (AL) as well as soluble FasL (sFasL) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from ILDs patients, incl. pulmonary sarcoidosis (PS), hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), silicosis, asbestosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), and healthy subjects (n = 89, 12, 7, 8, 23, 6, 17, respectively). In IPF, significantly increased percentage of AM FasL(+) and CD8(+)FasL(+) cells as well as sFasL levels in BAL were found. Increased sFasL levels were also observed in HP. NSIP and asbestosis were characterized by higher AM FasL(+) relative number; CD8(+)FasL(+) population was expanded in asbestosis only. There was a significant decline in AL FasL(+) percentage in PS and HP. Vital capacity was negatively correlated with sFasL levels, AM FasL(+) and CD8(+)FasL(+) cell relative count. CD4(+)FasL(+) and CD8(+)FasL(+) percentage strongly correlated with BAL neutrophilia, an unfavorable prognostic factor in lung fibrosis. The concurrent comparative BAL analysis of FasL expression indicates that FasL(+) AM and AL (mainly Tc cells) comprise an important element of the fibrotic process, mostly in IPF. FasL might play a crucial role in other fibrosis-complicated ILDs, like NSIP and asbestosis.     

Relationships between the properties of Spitsbergen soil,number and biodiversity of rhizosphere microorganisms,and heavy metal concentration in selected plant species

Plant and Soil - Ethylene-insensitive mutation (ein)-conferred Arabidopsis tolerance to Cd has been reported. However, the mechanisms involved are far from clear. This study explores possible...     

Structure of two crystal forms of sheep β‐lactoglobulin with EF‐loop in closed conformation

Ovine β‐lactoglobulin has been isolated from whey fraction of sheep milk and crystallized. The high‐resolution structures of two crystal forms (triclinic and trigonal) obtained at pH 7.0 have been determined revealing that ovine protein, similarly to its bovine analog, is dimeric. Access to the binding site located in the eight‐stranded antiparallel β‐barrel in both structures is blocked by the EF loop that has been found in closed conformation. Similarly to bovine lactoglobulin (BLG), conformation of the EF loop is stabilized by hydrogen bond between Glu89 and Ser116 indicating that Tanford transition might occur with the same mechanism. The substitution at six positions in relation to the most abundant isoform B of BLG also affects the distribution of electrostatic potentials and the total charge. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 101: 886–894, 2014.     

The influence of static magnetic fields on canine and equine mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue

The aim of this study was to evaluate the proliferation rate and morphological changes of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells of canine and equine origin (Eq- and CaAdMSC). Investigated cells were exposed to a static magnetic field (MF) with the intensity of 0.5 T. Proliferation activity of cells was determined with the Alamar Blue assay. Obtained results, normalized in respect to the control culture, showed that EqAdMSC exposed to MF maintained a high proliferation status, whereas proliferation activity of CaAdMSC cultured in the presence of MF was decreased. Estimations of population doubling time (PDT) also revealed that EqAdMSCs exposed to static MF achieved a twofold increase in the total number of cells in a shorter amount of time than the control culture. The PDT value obtained for investigated CaAdMSCs indicated that MF exposure resulted in the prolongation of population doubling time. Morphology of cells and cellular composition was investigated using a light inverted microscope and a fluorescent microscope. A scanning electron microscope was used for microvesicles (MVs) imaging. Obtained results showed that both cell types maintained fibroblastic morphology and did not reveal signs of apoptosis or necrosis. However, the MF had an influence on the MVs secretion. While EqAdMSCs propagated in the presence of MF were characterized by the abundant MVs presence, CaAdMSCs revealed poor secretory activity. The approach presented provides complex analysis, which enables one to determine changes in equine and canine cytophysiology.     

Hypersensitive response to Potato virus Y in potato cultivar Sárpo Mira is conferred by the Ny-Smira gene located on the long arm of chromosome IX

Potato virus Y (PVY, Potyvirus) is the fifth most important plant virus worldwide in terms of economic and scientific impact. It infects members of the family Solanaceae and causes losses in potato, tomato, tobacco, pepper and petunia production. In potato and its wild relatives, two types of resistance genes against PVY have been identified. While Ry genes confer symptomless extreme resistance, Ny genes cause a hypersensitive response visible as local necrosis that may also be able to prevent the virus from spreading under certain environmental conditions. The potato cultivar Sárpo Mira originates from Hungary and is highly resistant to PVY, although the source of this resistance remains unknown. We show that cv. Sárpo Mira reacts with a hypersensitive response leading to necrosis after PVY^NTN infection in detached leaf, whole plant and grafting assays. The hypersensitivity to PVY^NTN segregated amongst 140 individuals of tetraploid progeny of cvs. Sárpo Mira × Maris Piper in a 1:1 ratio, indicating that it was conferred by a single, dominant gene in simplex. Moreover, we identified five DNA markers linked to this trait and located the underlying locus (Ny-Smira) to the long arm of potato chromosome IX. This position corresponds to the location of the Ry _chc and Ny-1 genes for PVY resistance. A simple PCR marker, located 1 cM from the Ny-Smira gene, can be recommended for selection of PVY-resistant progeny of cv. Sárpo Mira.