Analysis of a deletion in the nephronophthisis 4 gene in different dog breeds

Cone‐rod dystrophy is a progressive inherited retinal degenerative disorder that occurs in humans and dogs. The deletion in the nephronophthisis 4 (NPHP4) gene was established as a causative mutation in standard wire‐haired Dachshunds. We analyzed all varieties of Dachshunds from the Czech Republic and five other dog breeds and found that the deletion in the NPHP4 (in heterozygous state) is present not only in standard‐, but also in miniature wire‐haired Dachshunds, but not in other varieties of Dachshunds or in other breeds.     

Litter decomposition along a primary post-mining chronosequence

Biology and Fertility of Soils - The aim of this study was to describe the decomposition of litter along a successive series of sites developed at a post-mining overburden deposit over 12, 21 and...     

Uptake of thallium from artificially and naturally contaminated soils into rape (Brassica napus L.)

An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) method was used for the evaluation of thallium transfer from naturally (pedogeochemically) and artificially contaminated soils into rape. Two sets of three different types of top soils (heavy, medium, and light) were used for pot experiments. The first set was collected from areas with high levels of pedogeochemical thallium (0.3, 1.5, and 3.3 mg kg(-1) DM). The second set of three soils with naturally low content of thallium was artificially contaminated with thallium sulfate to achieve five levels of contamination (0, 0.4, 2, 4, and 6 mg kg(-1) DM Tl). The soil samples and the samples of winter and spring rape (straw, seeds) from both sets were collected and analyzed. Plant and soil samples from fields were collected at 42 selected sites situated in South Bohemia and in Czech-Moravian Highlands where higher pedogeochemical content of thallium was expected. More intensive transport (better availability) of Tl was observed in the case of artificially contaminated soils. The physicochemical form and the total content of Tl in soil were found to be the main factors influencing its uptake by plants. The concentration of Tl in rapeseeds in the field samplings was mostly 45% of its content in the particular soil. Nevertheless the uptake of Tl from soils with naturally high pedogeochemical content can be high enough to seriously endanger food chains. These findings are very important because of the high toxicity of Tl and the absence of threshold limits for Tl in soils, agricultural products, feedstuffs, and foodstuffs in most countries including the Czech Republic.     

Assessment of screening methods for the identification of genetically modified potatoes in raw materials and finished products

Qualitative polymerase chain reaction methods for the detection of genetically modified potatoes have been investigated that can be used for screening purposes and identification of insect-resistant and virus-resistant potatoes in food. The presence of the nos terminator from Agrobacterium tumefaciens and the antibiotic marker gene nptII (neomycin-phosphotransferase II) was demonstrated in three commercialized Bt-potato lines (Monsanto Co., St. Louis, MO, USA) and one noncommercial GM-potato product (high amylopectin starch, AVEBE, Veendam, The Netherlands) and allows for general screening in foods. For further identification, specific primers for the FMV promoter derived from the figwort mosaic virus, the CryIIIA gene (delta-endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. tenebrionis), potato leafroll virus replicase gene, and the potato virus Y coat protein gene, were designed. The methods described were successfully applied to processed potato raw materials (dehydrated potato powders and flakes), starch samples, and finished products.     

Clustering of Chickpea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cicer arietinum</Emphasis> L.) Accessions

The variation in 20 morphological and agronomical traits has been evaluated in a set of chickpea genetic resources from four countries. Data indicated differences between accessions in leaf, flower, pod, and seed traits and characteristics, as well as in vegetation period. Multivariate analyses of these data segregated chickpeas into groups. Polymorphism in seed glutelines was absent, while variation in seed prolamines was very limited. DNA amplification patterns have been analyzed by semi-arbitrary primers and by specific microsatellite primers. Only some of semi-arbitrary primers generated usable DNA banding patterns, moreover interpretation of these patterns can be more or less difficult. On the contrary specific primers amplifying microsatellites at the specific loci generated unambiguous and reproducible differences between chickpeas.     

Quantitative determination of beta-carotene stereoisomers in fresh, dried, and solar-dried mangoes (Mangifera indica L.)

A rapid method for quantitative determination of beta-carotene, including cis-isomers, in dried mango has been developed. Applicability of available methods to dried products was limited because of formation of artifacts caused by extraction and preparation. The analytical procedure was based on the extraction of carotenoids from dried mango mesocarp using a mixture of methanol and acetone/hexane, allowing the separation of disturbing fibers. No saponification was required. Furthermore, carotenoid determination by HPLC on a C30 stationary phase was achieved. This method was applied to determine beta-carotene and its stereoisomers in fresh, dried, and solar-dried mango slices of four cultivars. Drying resulted in a complete and partial degradation of xanthophylls and all-trans-beta-carotene, respectively. Isomerization was shown to depend on the drying process. Whereas conventionally dried mangoes were characterized by elevated amounts of 13-cis-beta-carotene, solar-dried mango slices contained additional amounts of the 9-cis-isomer. Calculation of vitamin A values was based on the real amount of the beta-carotene stereoisomers and ranged from 113 to 420 and from 425 to 1010 RE/100 g for fresh and dried mango slices, respectively.     

Evaluation of three different histamine concentrations in intradermal testing of normal cats and attempted determination of 'irritant' threshold concentrations for 48 allergens

The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal histamine concentration and 'irritant' allergen threshold concentrations in intradermal testing (IDT) in normal cats. Thirty healthy cats were tested with three different histamine concentrations and four different concentrations of each allergen. The optimal histamine concentration was determined to be 1: 50,000 w/v (0.05 mg mL(-1)). Using this histamine concentration, the 'irritant' threshold concentration for most allergens was above the highest concentrations tested (4,000 PNU mL(-1) for 41 allergens and 700 PNU mL(-1) for human dander). The 'irritant' threshold concentration for flea antigen was determined to be 1:750 w/v. More than 10% of the tested cats showed positive reactions to Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, housefly, mosquito and moth at every allergen concentration, which suggests that the 'irritant' threshold concentration for these allergens is below 1,000 PNU mL(-1), the lowest allergen concentration tested. Our results confirm previous studies in indicating that allergen and histamine concentrations used in feline IDT may need to be revised.     

Heavy Metal Content of Plant Species along Nilüfer Stream in Industrialized Bursa City, Turkey

The Paraíba do Sul river is located in one of the most developed part of Brazil and receives many organic and industrial effluents directly affecting the ichthyofauna. Concentration of four heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Zn and Pb) were determined in two tissues (muscle and gonads) of three abundant fish species from different trophic levels (Oligosarcus hepsetus—carnivore, Geophagus brasiliensis—omnivore and Hypostomus luetkeni—detritivore) between November 2002 and April 2003. The aim was to test the hypothesis that the trophic level and the proximity from impacted areas influence levels of contamination and to assess if these species are indicators of large-scale habitat quality. Levels of heavy metals were detected by Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence with Synchrotron Radiation (SR-TXRF) at the Brazilian National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory (LNLS). Generally, gonads showed higher metal concentration than muscles, except for Cr. All examined metals, but Cu, exceeded the maximum permitted concentration (mpc) by the Brazilian legislation for human consumption in at least one tissue. O. hepsetus (carnivore) showed the highest contamination levels, followed by G. brasiliensis (omnivore) and H. luetkeni (detritivore). The middle-upper segment, which encompasses large urban areas, showed the highest levels of metal contamination in most cases. O. hepsetus showed the highest levels of contamination in muscles for Pb in the middle-upper river segment (7.98?±?3.73; mpc?=?2.0 μg g^?1) and for Cr in the upper (5.53?±?0.05; mpc?=?0.10 μg g^?1) and middle-upper (4.20?±?0.85; mpc?=?0.10 μg g^?1) segments, which indicates that human population should avoid to consume these fishes species from these segments of the Paraíba do Sul river.     

Genetic differentiation between local populations of Ips typographus in the high Tatra Mountains range

Many studies have addressed the question of dispersal potential of Ips typographus, however the approach of molecular ecology have been used only in a few of them. Moreover, none of them has done it on fine scale of just one mountain range. Molecular analysis using a set of six polymorphic microsatellite markers was applied in this study. Adult beetles of I. typographus collected in 22 localities of the High Tatra Mountains were used for the study of genetic differentiation between rapidly expanded local populations of bark beetles after windstorm calamities in spruce stands. Almost none genetic differentiation among local populations or among larger spatial units has been revealed. Analyses did not indicate isolation of populations by distance or formation of population structure. This suggests high potential of I. typographus to disperse over large distances and even the possibility to overcome high mountains ridges.