Selection of fecund and chemically valuable clones of thyme (Thymus) species growing wild in Lithuania

The high infraspecific chemical and morphological polymorphism is characteristic for species of genus thyme (Thymus L.). This characteristic can be subservient to the selection of valuable clones from natural habitats. The objective of the present study was to select valuable Thyme clones from native flora of Lithuania according to the productivity of biomass and chemical composition of essential oils for the cultivation. Two Thymus species, namely large thyme (T. pulegioides L.) and wild thyme (T. serpyllum L.), grow wild in Lithuania and other Baltic States (Latvia and Estonia). Was established that T. pulegioides is more suitable for the cultivation than T. serpyllum, because can grow more dried total biomass (up to 3 times), are higher (2.8 times) and synthesize higher amount of essential oils with significant amounts of such biologically active compounds as the thymol, carvacrol, geraniol or linalool. Four most fecund clones of T. pulegioides (the total biomass of dried plant 29–45 g, the amount of essential oil in whole plant 0.5–0.7%) were selected which accumulate the highest amounts of thymol (up to 26.1%), carvacrol (up to 31.0%), geraniol (up to 45.0%) and linalool (up to 80.3%). The cultivation of these clones enables to get the high yield of biomass and chemically homogeneous herbal raw material of desirable chemical composition for the phytomedicines and phytocosmetics.     

Applied information retrieval and multidisciplinary research: new mechanistic hypotheses in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Background

Collaborative efforts of physicians and basic scientists are often necessary in the investigation of complex disorders. Difficulties can arise, however, when large amounts of information need to reviewed. Advanced information retrieval can be beneficial in combining and reviewing data obtained from the various scientific fields. In this paper, a team of investigators with varying backgrounds has applied advanced information retrieval methods, in the form of text mining and entity relationship tools, to review the current literature, with the intention to generate new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying a complex disorder. As an example of such a disorder the Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) was chosen. CRPS is a painful and debilitating syndrome with a complex etiology that is still unraveled for a considerable part, resulting in suboptimal diagnosis and treatment.

Results

A text mining based approach combined with a simple network analysis identified Nuclear Factor kappa B (NFκB) as a possible central mediator in both the initiation and progression of CRPS.

Conclusion

The result shows the added value of a multidisciplinary approach combined with information retrieval in hypothesis discovery in biomedical research. The new hypothesis, which was derived in silico, provides a framework for further mechanistic studies into the underlying molecular mechanisms of CRPS and requires evaluation in clinical and epidemiological studies.

     

Mustelidae are natural hosts of Staphylococcus delphini group A

According to the current taxonomy, the Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG) comprises of at least three distinct species. While S. intermedius and S. pseudintermedius are associated with specific hosts (pigeons and dogs, respectively), the natural host of S. delphini remains unclear. We analysed 158 SIG isolates from less studied animal species belonging to the order Carnivora, including mink (n=118), fox (n=33), badger (n=6) and ferret (n=1). Species identification was performed by nuc PCR in combination with sodA sequence analysis and pta PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The results showed a consistent association between host and bacterial species. All isolates from minks, ferret and badgers belonged to S. delphini group A, whereas all fox isolates except one were identified as S. pseudintermedius. The remaining fox isolate belonged to S. delphini group A. The results indicate that Mustelidae such as minks, ferrets and badgers are natural hosts of S. delphini group A. This is in contrast with Canidae, which are primarily colonized and infected with S. pseudintermedius. These findings suggest that coagulase-positive staphylococcal species may have evolved and diverged through host adaptation.     

Manure contaminated with the antibiotic sulfadiazine impairs the abundance of nirK- and nirS-type denitrifiers in the gut of the earthworm Eisenia fetida

The antibiotic sulfadiazine (SDZ) can affect denitrifying bacteria in soil. However, effects on denitrifiers in the gut of earthworms have not been described so far. Therefore, the influence of SDZ-contaminated manure applied to soil on denitrifiers in the gut of the earthworm Eisenia fetida was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction targeting genes coding for nirK- and nirS-type nitrite reductases of denitrifiers. Gut contents of Eisenia fetida contained 2.5 × 10⁶ and 5.1 × 10⁵ gene copies of nirK and nirS, respectively, after 2 weeks in soils amended with manure only. Copy numbers of nirK and nirS in gut contents from manure treatments with SDZ were up to ten times less. Overall, the data indicate a negative impact of SDZ on denitrifiers in the gut of earthworms.     

Biological Potential of Flaxseed Protein Hydrolysates Obtained by Different Proteases

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Flaxseed meal, a byproduct of flaxseed oil extraction, was treated as low-value agrowaste for a long time despite its high protein content. Flaxseed meal has...     

The greening of the “barrios”: Urban agriculture for food security in Cuba

Urban agriculture in Cuba has rapidly become a significant source of fresh produce for the urban and suburban populations. A large number of urban gardens in Havana and other major cities have emerged as a grassroots movement in response to the crisis brought about by the loss of trade, with the collapse of the socialist bloc in 1989. These gardens are helping to stabilize the supply of fresh produce to Cuba's urban centers. During 1996, Havana's urban farms provided the city's urban population with 8,500 tons of agricultural produce, 4 million dozens of flowers, 7.5 million eggs, and 3,650 tons of meat. This system of urban agriculture, composed of about 8,000 gardens nationwide has been developed and managed along agroecological principles, which eliminate the use of synthetic chemical pesticides and fertilizers, emphasizing diversification, recycling, and the use of local resources. This article explores the systems utilized by Cuba's urban farmers, and the impact that this movement has had on Cuban food security.