Morus alba L. and Morus nigra L. Leaves as a Promising Food Source of Phenolic Compounds with Antioxidant Activity

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Bioactivity of mulberry has been widely described, but mostly related to its fruits, while studies with leaves are scarce. Herein, in this study leaves of two...     

Decorin concentrations in canine normal and neoplastic mammary gland tissues

In the present study, the concentration of decorin in canine normal and neoplastic mammary gland tissues was examined to understand the potential role of decorin in development and progression of canine mammary tumours. The homogenates of 48 mammary gland tumours (10 benign and 38 malignant) and 10 samples of normal canine mammary gland tissue were used in the study. The presence and quantification of decorin was examined in the homogenates using Western blot and specific canine ELISA. Western blotting confirmed the presence of decorin both in the normal mammary gland tissues and in the mammary gland tumours. The concentration of decorin was significantly higher (p < .05) in the benign tumours and non-metastatic malignant tumours than in the normal mammary gland. The concentration of decorin was significantly lower (p < .05) in the malignant tumours with metastasis to regional lymph nodes compared with benign tumours and non-metastatic malignant tumours. No significant differences were found in the level of decorin between the benign and the non-metastatic malignant tumours. Both the histological type of malignant tumours and the histological grade did not significantly affect the concentration of decorin. These findings suggest that neoplastic transformation in the canine mammary gland leads to increase in the decorin protein synthesis. The reducing decorin concentration in canine malignant mammary tumours appears to facilitate the metastatic spread of these tumours.     

The reversal and splitting of waves in an excitable medium caused by an electrical field

The reversal and splitting of traveling concentration waves was observed in a one-dimensional Belousov-Zhabotinski reaction medium under the influence of low-intensity electric field gradients ( approximately 10 V per centimeter). The wave reversal and splitting were strongly correlated with a characteristic transformation of the shape of both the wave front and the refractory tail of a wave in the local field gradient. The secondary role of generated hydrodynamic flow on wave transformation was also investigated.     

Detection of potato spindle tuber viroid by molecular hybridization and bioassay. A large-scale comparison

Summary To assess the reliability of dot-spot hybridization assay for the Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid, more than 1000 potato samples were cross-tested by biological and hybridization methods. Both methods gave similar results with a range of cultivars. The dot-spot hybridization test was reproducible with formaldehyde-denaturated cell-sap samples stored at room temperature for over 6 months. This finding means that samples can be transported from field stations to a diagnostic laboratory and allows for cross-checking of results between laboratories. The data suggest that dot-spot hybridization is suitable for breeding and quarantine purposes.     

Change in Sox9 protein localization through gonad development in Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii)

The Russian sturgeon is a highly prized species reared in aquaculture. The process of gonad development in this critically endangered species is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to describe the localization of Sox9 protein during gonad development of the Russian sturgeon from the day of hatching to the 1440 day post hatching (dph). The larvae at age 1, 10, 25 dph and prepared gonads of 300, 720, 1440 dph individuals were immunohistochemistry‐stained for Sox9 detection. Sox9‐positive regions were detected in larvae in primordial germ cells cytoplasm. Analysis of 300 dph sturgeon gonads revealed the presence of the Sox9 protein in cytoplasm of some oocytes in the chromatin nucleus stage. In testes at 720 dph, Sox9 was observed in the cytoplasm of type A and early B spermatogonias. In the ovaries, Sox9 was observed in the cytoplasm of diplotene oocytes and prefollicular cells. In testes of 1440 dph sturgeon, Sox9 was present in the nucleus of the spermatocytes and in types A and B spermatogonias cytoplasm. Analysis of ovaries at 1440 dph reveals multiple diplotene oocytes with a Sox9‐positive cytoplasm. Furthermore, in 720 and 1440 dph, sturgeon presence of intersexual gonads was detected. In intersex gonads, Sox9 was observed in the cytoplasm of diplotene oocytes and type A spermatogonias. This study may be the first attempt to determine Sox9 protein localization during ontogenesis of the Russian sturgeon. Localization of Sox9 protein may become a useful marker of the maturation level in testis of the Russian sturgeon.     

Heritability estimates for processing and quality traits in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) using a molecular pedigree

Heritability estimates with a microsatellite parentage assignment based pedigree are of special interest in common carp cultured under traditional pond conditions. This method reduces common environment effects as all families can be grown immediately after hatching mixed in the same pond. We applied this method to study genetics of growth and processing traits in common carp at market size (1.5 kg and more). The experimental progeny was established by crossing 147 two-year old males and 8 females (six to eight-year old) of Hungarian synthetic mirror carp population. The fish grew up through three vegetation seasons and at the end a sample of 331 fish was examined for biometrical traits (standard length, body weight, relative head length, relative body height, relative body width), percent fat and processing traits (% processed body, % fillets with skin, % fillets without skin). It was shown that sex had a significant effect on most traits: females were larger and fatter than males, and they had both higher percent processed body and percent fillet with skin. Standard length, body weight, percent fat and relative head length had a high heritability (> 0.5), while relative body height, relative body width, percent processed body and fillet yields had a medium heritability (0.2–0.5). We found relatively high positive genetic correlations between body size (standard length and body weight) and percent fat (0.71 and 0.59, respectively), favourable genetic correlations between body size and percent processed body (0.69 for standard length and 0.74 for body weight) and between body size and fillet yields (0.50–0.77). Genetic correlations between body size and body shape (relative head length, relative body height and relative body width) were weak to moderate, thus selection for better growth should have little impact towards more rotund shape. Relative head length had strong negative correlation (− 0.7 to − 0.9) with percent fat, percent processed body and percent fillet yields. This means that indirect selection for reduced relative head length should be effective in improving of fillet yield.