Stomata in some species of genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arum</Emphasis> from the Eastern Slavonia and Baranya region

Types and the number of stomata in the following Arum species: Arum italicum Mill., Arum maculatum var. maculatum L. and Arum maculatum var. immaculatum L., Arum alpinum var. pannonicum Terpo. and Arum alpinum var. intermedium Schur. in three different locations in Zablaće, Normanci and Bilje were investigated. The most prevalent stomata type at both upper and lower epidermis for each Arum species was mostly stomata type paracytic, followed by hexacytic, tetracytic or brachyparacytic as far as locality is concerned. Helicocytic type was more prevalent in Arum alpinum var. pannonicum Terpo. and Arum alpinum var. intermedium Schur. at Bilje. Other stomata types were very rare. A striking regularity in the occurrence of stomata types was not found within a single species. Some stomata types, however, were found either at adaxial or abaxial epidermis or were not present at all. The number of stomata per square mm varied from 25 to 651. A statistically significant difference in the number of stomata per square mm at upper and lower epidermis among Arum species was determined in locations Zablaće and Normanci, whereas no statistically significant differences were found in location Bilje.     

A Novel Bipartite Nuclear Localization Signal Guides BPM1 Protein to Nucleolus Suggesting Its Cullin3 Independent Function

BPM1 belongs to the MATH-BTB family of proteins, which act as substrate-binding adaptors for the Cullin3-based E3 ubiquitin ligase. MATH-BTB proteins associate with Cullin3 via the BTB domain and with the substrate protein via the MATH domain. Few BPM1-interacting proteins with different functions are recognized, however, specific roles of BPM1, depending on its cellular localization have not been studied so far. Here, we found a novel bipartite nuclear localization signal at the C-terminus of the BPM1 protein, responsible for its nuclear and nucleolar localization and sufficient to drive the green fluorescent protein and cytoplasmic BPM4 protein into the nucleus. Co-localization analysis in live Nicotiana tabacum BY2 cells indicates a Cullin3 independent function since BPM1 localization is predominantly nucleolar and thus devoid of Cullin3. Treatment of BY2 cells with the proteasome inhibitor MG132 blocks BPM1 and Cullin3 degradation, suggesting turnover of both proteins through the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. Possible roles of BPM1 in relation to its in vivo localization are discussed.     

Repetitive sequences in Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx L.) mitochondrial DNA control region

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (CR) of numerous species is known to include up to five different repetitive sequences (RS1-RS5) that are found at various locations, involving motifs of different length and extensive length heteroplasmy. Two repetitive sequences (RS2 and RS3) on opposite sides of mtDNA central conserved region have been described in domestic cat (Felis catus) and some other felid species. However, the presence of repetitive sequence RS3 has not been detected in Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) yet. We analyzed mtDNA CR of 35 Eurasian lynx (L. lynx L.) samples to characterize repetitive sequences and to compare them with those found in other felid species. We confirmed the presence of 80 base pairs (bp) repetitive sequence (RS2) at the 5' end of the Eurasian lynx mtDNA CR L strand and for the first time we described RS3 repetitive sequence at its 3' end, consisting of an array of tandem repeats five to ten bp long. We found that felid species share similar RS3 repetitive pattern and fundamental repeat motif TACAC.     

Prostaglandin treatment is associated with a withdrawal of progesterone and androgen at the receptor level in the uterine cervix

Treatment with prostaglandin(PG)-E₂ is clinically efficient for cervical priming. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of PG-E₂ on the expression of the progesterone (PR), androgen (AR) and glucocorticoid (GR) receptors in human uterine cervix in prolonged pregnancy.     

Epilepsy due to malformations of cortical development--correlation of clinical, MRI and Tc-99mECD SPECT findings

Malformations of cortical development (MCD) have been increasingly recognized as an important cause of intractable epilepsy. The aim of our study was to define epileptogenicity of MCDs by correlating MRI, EEG and semiology of epileptic attacks, and to determine the effect of MCD on drug resistant epilepsy. We also intended to reveal the utility of interictal single photo emission computed tomography (SPECT) in verification of MCD lesions and relative prevalence of different MCDs. Based on interictal EEG finding, semiology of the epileptic attacks and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) "electroclinical epileptogenicity" of MCD was defined. Brain MRI revealed cortical dysplasia (CD) in nine patients, polymicrogyria in four patients, lissencephaly and schizencephaly in one patient each. Three patients had a combination of malformations. The localization of SPECT hypoperfusion corresponded to MCD lesion in ten (66.67%) patients. Electroclinically confirmed epileptogenicity of MCD overlapped with MR and interictal SPECT findings in fourteen (93.3%) and nine (60.0%) patients, respectively. Our study results demonstrated the MCD lesions to be highly epileptogenic and a frequent cause of intractability.     

Characterization of Sugar and Polyphenolic Diversity in Floral Nectar of Different ‘Oblačinska’ Sour Cherry Clones

‘Obla?inska’ sour cherry, an autochthonous cultivar, is the most planted cultivar in Serbian orchards. Since fruit trees in temperate zone reward insects by producing nectar which ‘quality’ affects the efficiency of insect pollination, the aim of this study was analyzing of sugars and polyphenolics in floral nectar of 16 ‘Obla?inska’ sour cherry clones with different yielding potential. The contents of sugars and sugar alcohols were analyzed by ion chromatography, while polyphenolic profile was established using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry technique. Fourteen sugars and six sugar alcohols were detected in nectar samples and the most abundant were fructose, glucose, and sucrose. Eleven polyphenols were quantified using available standards, while another 17 were identified according to their exact masses and characteristic fragmentations. Among quantified polyphenols, rutin, naringenin, and chrysin were the most abundant in nectar. Principal component analysis showed that some polyphenol components (naringin, naringenin, and rutin) together with sugars had high impact of spatial distribution of nectar samples on score plot.     

Water nutrient concentrations in channels in relation to occurrence of aquatic plants: a case study in eastern Croatia

In this paper we analyzed nutrient concentration in the channels of eastern Croatia and investigated whether certain plant species and associations can be used as direct estimators of water quality. One hundred and twenty-two channel sites were visited and water samples taken for laboratory analysis (pH and concentrations of sulfate, chloride, ammonium, nitrate, and total phosphorus). At each site, macrophyte vegetation was recognized and its occurrence recorded. Three groups of analyses were performed: (a) principal component analysis to describe habitat characteristics of the investigated channels, (b) stepwise regression analysis to build estimation models for nutrient concentrations, and (c) geostatistical analysis including fitting of variograms and interpolation of values over the whole area of interest. High values of water nutrients in the eastern Croatian channels were reported (90% intervals): 5.3–29.4 for nitrates, 27.8–54.2 for sulfates, 0.1–0.4 for total P, and 0.18–0.34 mg l⁻¹ for ammonium. Water nutrient concentrations can be successfully mapped over the channel network in eastern Croatia using geostatistics (regression kriging). The nutrient concentration variables required log transformation prior to regression or variogram analysis because their distributions were distinctly skewed towards lower values. Species were found to be a more successful estimator of nutrient concentrations than plant associations. In all cases, species had a higher adjusted R-square value, ranging from 0.302 (ammonium) to 0.485 (sulfates). Additional load of nutrients in water could lead to the disappearance of the more-sensitive species Lemna trisulca, Riccia fluitans, and Ricciocarpus natans and the spread of Potamogeton pectinatus, Glyceria maxima, and Glyceria fluitans. Further studies are needed to develop strategies for incorporating permanent monitoring networks to observe environmental changes and succession of vegetation.     

History of endemic goiter in Croatia: from severe iodine deficiency to iodine sufficiency

At the time after the Second World War, endemic goiter was present in most parts of Croatia with a prevalence of more than 50% and presence of cretinism. In the village of Rude near Zagreb, goiter was detected in 85% of school children with 2.3% of cretins in the village population. In 1953 the first regulation on obligatory salt iodination, requiring 10 mg of potassium iodide (KI) per kg of salt was established in former Yugoslavia. A three-fold reduction of goiter prevalence, together with disappearance of cretinism was recorded ten years later In 1992, the National Committee for Eradication of Goiter was founded. The survey performed during 1991-1993 exhibited prevalence of goiter among school children between 8% and 35% and urinary iodine excretion under 10 microg/dL in most of the children from continental parts of the country. The new obligatory regulation, requiring 25 mg of KI/kg of salt, was proposed by the National Comittee and finally established in 1996. In 2002 thyroid volumes and medians of urinary iodine excretion were normal according to the ICCIDD criteria. Overall median of urinary iodine excretion for schoolchildren in Croatia was 14 ug/dL. Croatia crossed a path from severe iodine deficiency detected in the 1950's to the period of mild to moderate iodine deficiency during the 1990's, and finally, nowadays, iodine sufficiency has been achieved.