Flow cytometry analysis of milk and peripheral blood cells from goats during lactation

Cells from goat's milk and peripheral blood taken during the lactation period were analysed by flow cytometry. The investigated cells were populations of leucocytes, lymphocyte subpopulations (T, T-helper, T-cytotoxic, B, WC1-N2) and all MHC class II positive cells. Labelling of cells was performed on whole blood and milk cell suspensions. Statistically significant differences were found between percentages of B and WC1-N2 lymphocytes and MHC II positive cells from peripheral blood during the lactation period and all of examined milk cells during the same time.     

The estimation of factor VIII levels in horse, cattle, sheep and pig plasma by the use of synthetic chromogenic substrate

Factor VIII level in horse, cattle, sheep and pig plasma was estimated by the use of synthetic chromogenic substrate S-2222 (benzoyl-isoleucyl-glutamyl-glycyl-arginyl-p-nitronilide). The highest level of this factor was stated in pig, the lowest one in sheep plasma.     

Distribution of androgen receptor in the porcine uterus throughout pregnancy.

The uterus is a well-known target of endocrine, paracrine and autocrine acting molecules among which steroid hormones (oestrogens, androgens and progesterone) are of special importance. The uterine tissues (endometrium and myometrium) undergo morphological and physiological changes which are associated with changes in expression of steroid hormone receptors. Androgen receptors (AR) that mediate the action of androgens have already been detected in porcine uteri during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy. To evaluate the role of AR in uterine physiology, the presence of ARmRNA and AR protein localization in the porcine uterus from day 10 to day 90 of pregnancy and in the uterus from the foetus of day 90 postcoitum (p.c.) and from the neonatal 1-day-old piglet was studied. ARmRNA was detected in the porcine endometrium up to day 18 p.c., while AR protein was detectable in glandular epithelium and stromal cells as through day 90 of pregnancy. AR was also detected in the myometrium on all investigated days of pregnancy; however, on day 90, the immunostaining was present only in a limited number of cells. AR immunostaining was clearly demonstrated in the uterus of the female foetuses on day 90 as well as in the uterus of 1-day-old piglets. The physiological relevance of this finding needs further elucidation.     

Poplar growth and wood production on a grassland irrigated for decades with potato starch wastewater

Irrigation of grasslands with potato starch wastewater causes changes in soil quality parameters, often resulting in decreased crop yields and sometimes causing animal diseases. Reduced agricultural income leads to designation of such grasslands for afforestation aimed at production of bioenergy crops and improvement of soil quality. In this study, Populus alba L. and seven different poplar clones were planted in 2009 on the grassland irrigated in 1973–2008 with potato starch wastewater and in non-irrigated, experimental forest. The survival, growth and wood production potential of planted poplars after 2–3 growing seasons were analyzed. Morphophysiological parameters of leaves, nutrients in leaves and fine roots, sugars in fine roots, leaf rust resistance, frost hardiness and their effects on growth were also determined. Stem diameter and stem volume index of poplars growing on the grassland were higher than in the experimental forest. Only Populus deltoides Bartr. × P. maximowiczii Henry clone ‘Eridano’ (in short ERI) had a survival rate of 100 % and the highest values of stem diameter (77 mm) and stem volume index (0.034 m³) in comparison with other poplars in both sites after 3 growing seasons. Clone ERI was also characterized by a high leaf rust resistance and frost hardiness. The results suggest that clone ERI is suitable as a bioenergy crop on grasslands irrigated with potato starch wastewater. Afforestation of the grassland improved the fertility of the soil by increasing concentrations of soil organic matter and availability of mineral nutrients (N, P, K, S and Fe).     

Identification and synthesis of a novel selenium-sulfur amino acid found in selenized yeast: Rapid indirect detection NMR methods for characterizing low-level organoselenium compounds in complex matrices

After proteolytic digestion, aqueous extraction, and derivatization with diethyl pyrocarbonate or ethyl chloroformate, HPLC-inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-MS, GC-atomic emission detection (AED), and GC-MS analysis of high-selenium yeast stored at room temperature for more than 10 years showed selenomethionine as the major Se product along with substantial amounts of selenomethionine selenoxide hydrate and the previously unreported selenoamino acid having a Se-S bond, S-(methylseleno)cysteine. The identity of the latter compound was confirmed by synthesis. The natural product was shown to be different from a synthetic sample of the isomeric compound Se-(methylthio)selenocysteine. Selenium-specific NMR spectroscopic methods were developed to directly analyze the aqueous extracts of the hydrolyzed selenized yeast without derivatization or separation. Selenomethionine and S-(methylseleno)cysteine were identified by 77Se-1H HMQC-TOCSY experiments.     

Decolourization of Diazo Evans Blue by Two Strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens Isolated from Different Wastewater Treatment Plants

The use of azo dyes is popular in different branches of industry. Discharge of colourants to surface water cause harmful environmental effects. The aim of the present study was evaluation of effectiveness of diazo Evans blue decolourization by two Pseudomonas strains and estimation of process byproducts toxicity. In static conditions, both tested strains removed more than 85?% of dye after 48?h and completely decolorized samples after 120?h. Agitation had negative impact on Evans blue removal (less than 70?% of dye removed after 120?h). Ecotoxicological effects were different for both studied strains beside comparable decolourization effectiveness. Increase of zootoxicity was noticed for strain Sz6 and decrease from IV to III class was noticed for strain SDz3. Optimization of process conditions for the most promising strain SDz3 should be deeply examined.     

AFLP analysis of genetic diversity in five accessions of Polish runner bean (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus coccineus</Emphasis> L.)

Runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus L.) is traditionally cultivated in Poland for dry seeds. The national collection of runner bean maintained in the National Center for Plant Genetic Resources gathers 152 accessions, which are mainly landraces originated in Poland (68%), Ukraine (17%) and Slovakia (10%). The collection contains valuable genetic resources for bean breeders and research. The aim of this study was to describe the level and structure of genetic diversity of three landraces and two commercial cultivars of runner bean from the national collection in order to assess their genetic potential for breeding. Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism analysis included five combinations of selective primers. Analysis of seven genetic diversity parameters reveled fair amount of genetic variation both in landraces and cultivars. High genetic diversity of commercial cultivars relative those of landraces suggests that the breeding process leading to their release was rather moderate and most likely included domestic gene pool of runner bean. Low gene diversity and low Nei’s genetic distance values as well as intergradations among accessions in the PCoA may indicate reduced variability P. coccineus grown in Poland as a result of its migration pathways.     

Genetic variability within <Emphasis Type="Italic">Septoria carvi</Emphasis> Syd.- a pathogen of caraway <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carum carvi</Emphasis> L

Genetic variability within Septoria carvi isolates obtained from various organs of caraway cultivated in south-eastern and central Poland was studied using the RAPD-PCR technique. The tests were performed using randomly selected primers. The DNA profiles obtained using four primers proved useful in determining genetic variability among the genotypes of Septoria carvi isolates. The present study characterized the differences in the nucleotide sequence within the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA (ITS1, 5.8S, ITS2) of selected S. carvi isolates and reference strains of Septoria spp. Moreover, eight isolates were sequenced for three loci: actin, calmodulin and translation elongation factor 1-alpha, and the obtained sequences were compared with the sequences of Septoria reference strains affecting other plants of the family Apiaceae. Phylogenetic analysis showed distinct differences of the tested isolates, which allowed to treat them Septoria carvi species affecting the above-ground organs of caraway Carum carvi L. This study is the first report on the genetic characteristics of the species S. carvi.