Development and characteristics of ω-gliadin-free wheat genotypes

Omega gliadin proteins are one of the most allergenic components of wheat gluten. Proteins of the ω-5 subgroup are recognized as main allergens causing wheat dependent exercise induced anaphylaxis—the most dangerous, life-threatening IgE mediated food allergy. A set of wheat genotypes lacking all ω-gliadins has been developed by cumulating inactive gene variants in three gliadin coding loci (Gli A1, Gli B1 and Gli D1), using traditional plant breeding methods. Endosperm proteins of ω-gliadin-free genotypes were compared to a control genotype containing all ω-gliadins by A-PAGE, SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC. A considerable decrease (about 30 %) of gliadin immunoreactivity as a consequence of ω-gliadin elimination was demonstrated by ELISA, using sera of ten patients allergic to gluten. Preliminary evaluation of the technological properties of the ω-gliadin-free genotype by the SDS sedimentation test suggests that elimination of all ω-gliadins may also significantly improve wheat bread making quality.     

Thrips (Thysanoptera) associated with two genetically modified types of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The aim of this study was to determine thrips abundance, species composition and seasonal dynamics on two genetically modified types of linseed, i.e.,...     

Retained Fetal Membranes in Heavy Draft Mares Associated with Histological Abnormalities

Retention of fetal membranes is one of the most common life-threatening peripartum problems; however, its etiology is still unknown. Draft mares are more likely to retain fetal membranes than other breeds of mares. Because a strong connection between the fetal membranes and the endometrium has been observed in cases of retention, we studied the changes in the endometrium and the allantochorion of heavy draft mares with this condition. Tissue samples were taken from 90 mares that retained the fetal membranes and from 21 that did not. Retained fetal membranes were associated with adhesion of the allantochorion to the endometrium in 88% of the mares; this adhesion depended on the following factors: occurrence of fibrosis both in the lamina propria of the allantochorial villi and in the allantochorial stromal connective tissue, overdevelopment of the allantochorial stromal connective tissue, oversized allantochorial epithelial cells, and sparser and less-branched allantochorial villi.     

Genetic and historical studies on the origin of Norway spruce in Białowieża Primeval Forest in Poland

Białowieża Primeval Forest lies within the boreal part of the Norway spruce range, which, according to pollen data, was formed by a refugium located in the Russian Upland. However, recent genetic studies have indicated that spruce from the Eastern Carpathian refugium also occurs in Białowieża Forest. In order to investigate whether the Norway spruce from the Eastern Carpathian refugium migrated naturally into the boreal part of the Norway spruce range, we assessed the refugial origin of 234 of the oldest Norway spruce individuals from Białowieża Forest using mitochondrial marker mt15-D02. Out of the trees that we studied, 64.8% carried mitotype 1, which is specific to the Carpathian refugium, while 35.2% had mitotype 3, specific to the Russian refugium. Our genetic analysis, combined with historical data on forest management in this part of Europe, argues for a natural contribution of spruce from the Eastern Carpathian refugium during postglacial recolonization of Białowieża Primeval Forest.     

Bia?owie?a Primeval Forest as a remnant of culturally modified ancient forest

The present and past population status of oak (Quercus robur) in the Bia?owie?a National Park preserve (BNP) was analyzed with respect to the historic use of the ecosystem. I assessed average parameters (density, dbh distribution, differences between habitat categories) of the oak population in the whole BNP preserve, and performed detailed analyses of local populations on three 26.5-ha and one 3.5-ha plots, representing eutrophic sites of deciduous forest (3) and a mesotrophic site of mixed forest (1). Based on the tree ring data, I reconstructed the historic dbh distribution back to 1750–1825. The results of the reconstruction confirm the early 1800s expert account and the 1889 forestry survey report. The high oak concentration in eutrophic habitats are legacies of either active game management (e.g., bison habitat improvement measures, supplementary feeding), forest recovery after the ban on forest industries (baking potash, tar, charcoal), or abandonment of inner small farms. The emergence of oak on poorer sites in the mid 1800s coincides with the ban on use of fire—a common practice that earlier had perpetuated the dominating position of fire-resistant pine. The present oak regeneration in declining spruce stands is a further step of the forest natural adaptation to environmental changes. The study supports the view that BNP is a remnant of an ecosystem substantially shaped by human uses. Modern forestry, as practiced in the managed part of the Bia?owie?a forest, does not mimic either natural processes (as observed in BNP) or historic forest uses.     

Acute phase protein concentrations after limited distance and long distance endurance rides in horses

Acute phase proteins (APP) have been described as useful for assessing health in human and animal patients, as they closely reflect the acute phase reaction (APR). In humans and dogs a reaction analogous to APR has also been described after prolonged or strenuous exercise. The aim of this study was to determine, if similar reactions occur in endurance horses after limited and long distance rides. Seventeen horses that successfully completed various distance competitions were tested. Routine haematological and biochemical tests were performed and the concentrations of serum amyloid A (SAA), C-reactive protein (CRP) and haptoglobin were measured. Typical endurance exercise-induced haematological and biochemical changes were observed in all horses, regardless the distance. After long distance rides, the level of SAA markedly increased, but CRP and haptoglobin concentrations remained unchanged. After limited distance rides no changes in the levels of APPs were noted. Exercise-induced APR in horses occurred only after prolonged, strenuous exertion, and differed from APR in inflammation in that only SAA concentration was increased.     

The effect of conglutinin on production of reactive oxygen species in bovine granulocytes

Conglutinin is a high molecular-weight lectin originally detected in bovine serum. It belongs to the family of collectins that bind sugar residues in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner and are effector molecules in innate immunity. Conglutinin appears to play an important role in immune defense mechanisms, showing antiviral and antibacterial activities when tested in vivo and in vitro. The present study evaluated the effect of conglutinin on the respiratory bursts in bovine peripheral phagocytes. Using nitroblue tetrazolium and hydrogen peroxide assays, we showed that sugar ligand-bound conglutinin stimulated the production of superoxide and H₂O₂ in granulocytes whereas the non-sugar-bound form of conglutinin inhibited these processes. These results indicate that both forms of conglutinin are able to interact with surface leukocyte receptors but have opposite effects on phagocytic activity. Our findings suggest that conglutinin bound to sugar residues on microbial surfaces can induce oxygen burst in phagocytes, and thereby mediates the elimination of pathogens and prevents the spread of infection.     

Predicting the effects of climate change on the latency period of wheat leaf rust in western Poland

Leaf rust caused by Puccinia recondita f. sp. tritici belongs to the most important diseases of wheat worldwide. The progress of the disease is highly dependent on meteorological conditions. One of the parameters affecting the disease progress is latency period driven mostly by temperature. Examination of the influence of predicted temperature changes on the monthly sum of the daily latency period expressed as rate (MSLPR) in western Poland was the aim of our study. Experiments in quasi-natural conditions were performed with the aim of validating models describing the influence of temperature on leaf rust latency period in two wheat varieties, Turnia and Ostroga. Both models used for assessment of latency period duration on cv. Turnia and cv. Ostroga performed well. The influence of climate changes on leaf rust latency period was then simulated using meteorological data from three weather stations located in western Poland and virtual data obtained after transformation of the recorded data to reflect a temperature changes under RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 scenarios according to giss_e2_r climate model. The study shows that without mitigation of greenhouse gas emission latency period of wheat leaf rust is going to decrease which may result in increase of wheat leaf rust incidence.     

The colonisation of Scots pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> L.) by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tomicus minor</Emphasis> Hartig in southern Poland: modelling and monitoring

Tomicus minor Hartig (Col., Curculionidae, Scolytinae), occurring on Pinus sylvestris L., is a species which demonstrates high reproductive capability on weakened stands, accelerating the process of forest death. In protected areas, T. minor is regarded as a sensitive bioindicator that reacts to decline in the health and vitality of forests. Although there have been many publications concerning T. minor, no precise method has yet been given for estimating its population so as to enable the monitoring of forest vitality and assessment of the role played by T. minor in the forest ecosystem. The aim of the present work is to develop a statistical method for estimating populations of T. minor, requiring minimum work and interference with the forest ecosystem and permitting the computation of estimation errors. Research was carried out in the years 1992–2011 in pine stands aged over 80 years, growing in a variety of habitats and situated at varying distances from sawmill timber yards. Attack density of T. minor was measured on trap logs made from uninfested living trees. The population of T. minor on the trap logs was described using a multiple linear regression model with two explanatory variables. Among the features investigated, the T. minor population was found to depend significantly on the number of egg galleries on the fifth metre of the trap log counted from the thinner end (p < 0.001) and on the diameter of the trap log in bark at the thinner end (p < 0.05). The model explains approximately 85% (R ² = 0.8564) of the variation in the total number of T. minor egg galleries on the trap logs. The numbering of units beginning from the thinner end of the log enabled increased precision in determining the model parameter resulting from the concentration of egg galleries on certain units of the log. In all validated plots, the mean real and model values for the number of T. minor egg galleries on the trap logs are similar (p > 0.5), confirming the high accuracy of the developed model.