Effect of Sea-Buckthorn (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hippophaë rhamnoides</Emphasis> L.) Pulp Oil Consumption on Fatty Acids and Vitamin A and E Accumulation in Adipose Tissue and Liver of Rats

An in vivo experiment was conducted to determine the effect of sea-buckthorn pulp oil feeding on the fatty acid composition of liver and adipose tissue of Wistar rats and the liver accumulation of retinol, its esters and α-tocopherol. For a period of 28 days, rats were given a modified casein diet (AIN-93) in which sea-buckthorn pulp oil, soybean oil and pork lard were used as sources of fat. Compared to the other fat sources, sea-buckthorn pulp oil was the most abundant in C16 fatty acids, carotenoids (mainly β-carotene) and tocopherols (mainly α-tocopherol). Its consumption was reflected in an increased share of palmitoleic acid in adipose tissue and the liver and an increased level of retinol in liver tissues (this was not observed for its esters). Although the type of fat did not have a significant effect on the average content of α-tocopherol in the liver, the variation of saturation of this tissue with α-tocopherol was the lowest when rats were fed a diet containing sea-buckthorn oil. This experiment indicates the possibility of affecting adipose tissue and liver by a diet.     

Test of Mendelian segregation among 10 microsatellite loci in the fourth generation of bester (Huso huso L. ×Acipenser ruthenus L.)

Ten microsatellite loci were tested on Mendelian segregation in the bester – hybrid of beluga, Huso huso L. and sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus L. in the fourth generation. All studied loci showed disomic inheritance and Mendelian segregation of their alleles. The molecular approach by microsatellite DNA analysis represents a reliable tool for interspecific characterization of sturgeons and their hybrids (different alleles of several loci are present in sturgeon fishes, and interspecific hybrids posesses both maternal and paternal specific alleles). This is the first report of the Mendelian segregation testing in interspecific hybrid of acipenserid fishes using microsatellite DNA markers.     

Verification of ploidy level in sturgeon larvae

Chromosome preparations and assay of the microsatellite locus Afu‐68 were used to determine ploidy in Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri Brandt) and F₁ hybrids of Siberian sturgeon and Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedti Brandt). The chromosome number and microsatellite locus Afu‐68 were compared and these analyses were used for identification of ‘haploid’, ‘diploid’ and ‘triploid’ progeny of the studied cross of A. baeri× (A. baeri×A. gueldenstaedti).     

Procyanidin oligomers from Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica) fruit inhibit activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 metalloproteinases

The influence of procyanidin extract from Japanese quince fruit on the activities of matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 secreted to culture medium by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and by human leukemia HL-60 cells was investigated by gelatin zymography. The extract proved to be an effective inhibitor of the enzymes activities (for MMP-2 and MMP-9 secreted by PBMC IC50 = 16-19 microg extract/mL and 22-25 microg extract/mL, respectively). To identify the most effective components of the extract it was fractionated by means of column chromatography on TSKgel Toyopearl HW-40 (S) bed. The obtained fractions were analyzed by TLC, HPLC, and MALDI-TOF MS. Their antioxidant activity was measured as cation radicals ABTS(.+) scavenging efficiency. The fractions VIII-XIV containing oligomers from trimer to hexamer (and probably higher oligomers) appeared to be the most effective inhibitors of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity (IC50 value close to 4.6 microg total polyphenols/mL). To the best of our knowledge, it is the first report on gelatinase-inhibitory activity of Japanese quince fruit polyphenol extract. We conclude that polyphenols from Japanese quince can be used in cancer chemoprevention, although further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying their biological activities.     

Urban regeneration in urban functional areas in Poland as an instrument of implementation of the EU Cohesion Policy

This study examines the role of urban regeneration policies in planning and governance within urban functional areas (UFAs) in Poland, in the context of the EU Cohesion Policy (CP). The empirical part of this study is based on comparing the approaches adopted in two Polish regions: Pomerania and Silesia. We describe the first successes but also the bottlenecks of the process, from negotiations and programming up to the implementation of the first tranche of integrated projects. We consider the factors that strengthen planning and governance within UFAs, while simultaneously influencing the local development, and territorial impacts of the EU Cohesion Policy in the given regions. This study is based on interviews with national, regional, and local actors. It defines the role of urban regeneration policies in shaping local socio-economic and spatial development in these regions and identifies the conditions required for the implementation of urban regeneration in functional areas. We also draw lessons for the future CP programming period from the experience of Polish regions, among the main beneficiaries of the EU Cohesion Policy. By evaluating the influence of Cohesion Policy at different government levels, our study may influence the discourse on its future, particularly in the context of strengthening the cooperation and multilevel governance.     

Inheritance of microsatellite loci in polyploid Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri Brandt) based on uniparental haploids

Haploid gynogenesis was induced in Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri Brandt) using UV‐irradiated bester (hybrid of Huso huso L. and Acipenser ruthenus L.) sperm. The inactivated heterologous sperm was used successfully to produce gynogenetic haploids of Siberian sturgeon. All haploid progeny were screened using microsatellite DNA analysis and uniparental transmission in gynogenetic haploids was confirmed. The objective of this study was to obtain haploids of Siberian sturgeon and describe the inheritance of microsatellite loci in haploid embryos of this species. This initial work, based on inheritance in haploid Siberian sturgeon, suggests that three studied microsatellite loci segregate disomically, three tetrasomically and one octasomically.     

Use of cyclic voltammetry, photochemiluminescence, and spectrophotometric methods for the measurement of the antioxidant capacity of buckwheat sprouts

This paper describes the use of cyclic voltammetry, photochemiluminescence (PCL), and spectrophotometric methods (TEAC and FCR reducing capacity) for the measurement of the antioxidant capacity of dark- and light-grown buckwheat sprouts. Moreover, the flavonoid profile of studied material is provided. Methanol extracts (80%) from ungerminated buckwheat grain and 6 and 8 DAS (days after seeding) sprouts were used. The 8 day germination period was sufficient to obtain good quality sprouts with completely removed pericarps. The ungerminated buckwheat grain contained only rutin, whereas in sprouts produced in dark or light, a high level of isoorientin, orientin, vitexin, rutin, and isovitexin was found. The flavonoid content in sprouts produced under light was almost 2 times higher than those of sprouts produced in the dark. The antioxidant capacity of light-grown sprouts was higher than that of dark-grown ones. The results from voltammetric experiments obtained for buckwheat seeds and 6 and 8 DAS sprouts harvested under dark or light conditions highly correlated with those obtained by PCL antioxidant capacity of water-soluble substances (PCL ACW) (r = 0.99), PCL antioxidant capacity of lipid-soluble substances (r = 0.99), TEAC (r = 0.99), and FCR reducing capacity (r = 0.99). The use of cyclic voltammetry, PCL ACW, and TEAC was fully applicable for the evaluation of the antioxidant capacity of buckwheat sprouts.     

A survey of Nicotiana germplasm for resistance to Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV)

The reaction to Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) was evaluated in 94 accessions of Nicotiana, originating from the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation tobacco germplasm collection in Pu?awy, Poland. Tests for resistance were conducted under greenhouse conditions using single TSWV isolate collected from tobacco plantation in Lublin district, Poland. The presence of the virus was verified using DAS-ELISA. SCAR markers associated with TSWV resistance gene were applied. The members of the section Alatae, the genus Nicotiana: N. alata, N. forgetiana, and Nicotiana x sanderae as well as N. tabacum cultivars: ‘Polalta’ and ‘Wiktoria’ with the TSWV resistance gene introduced from N. alata, displayed the hypersensitive reaction (HR) against TSWV (grade 0 on symptom intensity scale). In some of those accessions, the virus spread from the initially infected areas eliciting systemic hypersensitive reaction (SHR). Five accessions of N. alata and three of Nicotiana x sanderae were composed of 6.3–50.0 % of plants in which SHR symptoms appeared. In all of N. forgetiana plants HR reaction was followed by systemic infection (SHR). In N. tabacum ‘Wiktoria’ 21.1 % of plants showed HR reaction, while the remaining were susceptible (S). All of the genotypes which responded with HR or SHR reaction to TSWV infection demonstrated the presence of SCAR markers linked to the resistance gene. The remaining eighty tested accessions were identified as being susceptible upon exposure to TSWV.