Climate change impact on development rates of the codling moth (Cydia pomonella L.) in the Wielkopolska region, Poland

The main goal of this paper is to estimate how the observed and predicted climate changes may affect the development rates and emergence of the codling moth in the southern part of the Wielkopolska region in Poland. In order to simulate the future climate conditions one of the most frequently used A1B SRES scenarios and two different IPCC climate models (HadCM3 and GISS modelE) are considered. A daily weather generator (WGENK) was used to generate temperature values for present and future climate conditions (time horizons 2020–2040 and 2040–2060). Based on the generated data set, the degree-days values were then calculated and the emergence dates of the codling moth at key stages were estimated basing on the defined thresholds. Our analyses showed that the average air surface temperature in the Wielkopolska region may increase from 2.8°C (according to GISS modelE) even up to 3.3°C (HadCM3) in the period of 2040–2060. With the warming climate conditions the cumulated degree-days values may increase at a rate of about 142 DD per decade when the low temperature threshold (T _low ) of 0°C is considered and 91 DD per decade when T _low ?=?10°C. The key developmental stages of the codling moth may occur much earlier in the future climate conditions than currently, at a rate of about 3.8–6.8 days per decade, depending on the considered GCM model and the pest developmental stage. The fastest changes may be observed in the emergence dates of 95% of larvae of the second codling moth generation. This could increase the emergence probability of the pest third generation that has not currently occurred in Poland.     

A microsatellite-based consensus linkage map for species of Eucalyptus and a novel set of 230 microsatellite markers for the genus

Background  

Eucalypts are the most widely planted hardwood trees in the world occupying globally more than 18 million hectares as an important source of carbon neutral renewable energy and raw material for pulp, paper and solid wood. Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) in Eucalyptus have been localized on pedigree-specific RAPD or AFLP maps seriously limiting the value of such QTL mapping efforts for molecular breeding. The availability of a genus-wide genetic map with transferable microsatellite markers has become a must for the effective advancement of genomic undertakings. This report describes the development of a novel set of 230 EMBRA microsatellites, the construction of the first comprehensive microsatellite-based consensus linkage map for Eucalyptus and the consolidation of existing linkage information for other microsatellites and candidate genes mapped in other species of the genus.     

The Cu(II)-fluconazole complex revisited. Part I: Structural characteristics of the system

Protonation equilibria and Cu(II) binding processes by an antifungal agent fluconazole, α-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-α-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl-methyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol, were studied using the UV-Vis, EPR and NMR spectroscopic techniques. The protonation constant of fluconazole was determined from NMR titration and attributed to N4′ nitrogen atoms using the DFT methods. The spectroscopic data suggest that at pH as low as 0.4 the first complex is formed, in which one or two Cu(II) ions are bound to one of the nitrogen atoms (N4′) from triazole rings. Above pH 1.5 each Cu(II) ion is surrounded by two nitrogen atoms (also N4′) from two different ligand molecules, forming primary monomeric complexes and above pH = 5, both dimeric or oligomeric species occur, which is well registered by the EPR technique.The mixture of Cu(NO₃)₂ with fluconazole in a 1:1 molar ratio in a water (pH = 4.5)/ethanol solution gave crystals of [Cu₂(H₂O){(C₆H₃-2,4-F₂)(CH₂N₃C₂H₂)₂C-OH}{(C₆H₃-2,4-F₂)(CH₂N₃C₂H₂)₂C-O}(NO₃)](NO₃)₂·9(H₂O). This complex is the first example of a cupric 3D polymeric structure with a fluconazole ligand coordinated via both N2′ and N4′ atoms from the same triazole rings. At higher pH values, we obtained a binuclear complex [Cu₂(L)₂(H₂O)₂(NO₃)₂], in which the copper(II) atoms were bridged by the oxygen atoms of the deprotonated OH group of fluconazole.The hypothetical oxidative properties of this system were also examined, however it failed to generate either reactive oxygen species or DNA scission products.     

Role of epigenetic DNA alterations in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus

Epigenetic alternations in genomic DNA encompass cytosine methylation in cytosine and guanine (CpG) dinucleotide islands, which are usually extended in the promoter and first exon of genes. The DNA methylation is carried out by DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) and it serves as an epigenetic method of gene expression modulation. The epigenetic alternations in genomic DNA have been implicated in the development of malignant and autoimmune diseases. The epigenetic aberration in regulatory DNA sequences may also be responsible for the emergence of changes in the immune system in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The agents 5-azacytidine (azacitidine) and 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (decitabine) belong to inhibitors of methyltransferase. These compounds affect the methylation level of promoter sequences and cause phenotypic changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), which are similar to those observed in PBMC of SLE patients. The lack of methylcytosine in CpG dinucleotides may be responsible for the antigenic properties of microbial DNA. The presence of low-apoptotic methylated DNA fragments has been identified in plasma of SLE patients. These DNA fragments exhibit antigenic properties and may elicit the humoral response responsible for the flare of SLE. The low methylation of CpG residues in the regulatory sequences may also contribute to the elevated expression of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in PBMC of SLE patients. The HERV components exhibit a profound similarity with nuclear antigens and may be responsible for the enhancement of the production of anti-antinuclear antibodies (ANA). Recent advances in the investigation of epigenetic DNA changes have formed the basis of improved understanding of etiopathogenesis of SLE, which may thereby facilitate improvement in therapeutic principles of this disease.     

Differences between rats and mice in induction of 4S beta-naphthoflavone-binding protein expression by treatment with beta-naphthoflavone

Sprague-Dawley rats and several inbred strains of mice were compared with respect to the induction of 4S BNF-binding protein expression by treatment with beta-naphthoflavone (BNF), an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligand. Inbred strains of mice chosen for the study encompassed 3 allelic forms of AhR found in Mus musculus so far. As it was reported by us earlier, treating rats with BNF caused a significant induction of BNF-binding protein expression. By contrast, no BNF-binding protein was detected in mice treated with BNF in corn oil as a vehicle or with corn oil itself.     

Mathematical inference of the underground clonal growth of Epipactis helleborine (L.) Crantz (Orchidaceae, Neottieae)

Epipactis helleborine (L.) Crantz (Orchidaceae, Neottieae) can spread by sexual or vegetative propagation. The choice of strategy likely depends on the environmental conditions. The rhizome is the organ of vegetative reproduction; hence, it is crucial to understand its development. Unfortunately, it is hardly possible to investigate rhizome morphology directly, since E. helleborine is a protected species in most European countries. The goal of our investigation was to infer the growth patterns of underground parts of an orchid population from long-term annual observations of its aboveground shoots. We implemented the Minimum Spanning Tree method to determine a likely set of underground connections between shoots and to simulate the annual growth of new rhizomes. Furthermore, we modelled the spatial distribution of shoots with a density kernel estimator to compare the density gradients with the direction of growth of the rhizomes. Observed shoot numbers fluctuated between 72 and 183 from year to year. Our results suggest that (1) vegetative reproduction prevails in the studied population, (2) the population consists of about a dozen clones with a diameter of up to 6 m, (3) rhizomes produce up to five new shoots at one branch end per year, (4) rhizomes develop in the direction of decreasing population density, and (5) nodes of rhizomes may produce new offshoots after up to 7 years of dormancy.