Inactivation of Heparin by Cationically Modified Chitosan

This study was performed to evaluate the ability of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-3-trimethylammonium chitosan chloride (HTCC), the cationically modified chitosan, to form biologically inactive complexes with unfractionated heparin and thereby blocking its anticoagulant activity. Experiments were carried out in rats in vivo and in vitro using the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT) tests for evaluation of heparin anticoagulant activity. For the first time we have found that HTCC effectively neutralizes anticoagulant action of heparin in rat blood in vitro as well as in rats in vivo. The effect of HTCC on suppression of heparin activity is dose-dependent and its efficacy can be comparable to that of protamine-the only agent used in clinic for heparin neutralization. HTCC administered i.v. alone had no direct effect on any of the coagulation tests used. The potential adverse effects of HTCC were further explored using rat experimental model of acute toxicity. When administered i.p. at high doses (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight), HTCC induced some significant dose-dependent structural abnormalities in the liver. However, when HTCC was administered at low doses, comparable to those used for neutralization of anticoagulant effect of heparin, no histopathological abnormalities in liver were observed.     

Long unfolded linkers facilitate membrane protein import through the nuclear pore complex

Active nuclear import of soluble cargo involves transport factors that shuttle cargo through the nuclear pore complex (NPC) by binding to phenylalanine-glycine (FG) domains. How nuclear membrane proteins cross through the NPC to reach the inner membrane is presently unclear. We found that at least a 120-residue-long intrinsically disordered linker was required for the import of membrane proteins carrying a nuclear localization signal for the transport factor karyopherin-α. We propose an import mechanism for membrane proteins in which an unfolded linker slices through the NPC scaffold to enable binding between the transport factor and the FG domains in the center of the NPC.     

Over‐dispersed count data in crop and agronomy research

While evaluating plant response to biotic or abiotic stress and genotype–environment interactions and searching causes of yield gap, very often are observed data with non‐normal distributions. One of the commonly encountered types of variables with a non‐normal distribution is count data. Count data are defined as the type of observations which have a positive, non‐zero, integer value. The selection of appropriate probability distributions and model types is very important due to the risk of estimating the variance incorrectly—the phenomenon of over‐dispersion. Increasingly, biologists and agronomists have been using methods based on generalized linear models. However, sometimes, when including count data, they are not aware of or disregard their over‐dispersion. One of the solutions for over‐dispersed count data is to use probability distributions and model types which assume a more flexible mean and variance relationship. Thus, the aim of this study is to present various ways of assessing over‐dispersion. Additionally, we present alternative distributions and discuss other approaches to solve the problem of over‐dispersion in count data sets. As examples in this study are used real data sets from different agricultural experiments. In our study, in one out of the two data sets used, this phenomenon occurred. Thus, in the analysis of count data, instead of using default distribution (usually Poisson distribution), other distributions should be considered because of the possible occurrence of over‐dispersion. We also observed that there is not one universal distribution to use and each data set might need a separate assessment to choose its distribution. For an efficient and proper count data analysis, with potential over‐dispersion, it is important to explore several options, i.e. evaluate models with an alternative to Poisson probability distributions and then make an informed choice.     

The Activity and Localization of 3β-hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase/Δ5-Δ4 Isomerase and Release of Androstenedione and Progesterone by Uterine Tissues During Early Pregnancy and the Estrous Cycle in Pigs

Steroid hormones are produced by the porcine uterus. We hypothesized that the uterus in pigs possesses active 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ⁵-Δ⁴ isomerase (3β-HSD) responsible for progesterone and androstenedione production, that uterine steroids may supplement the amount of steroid hormones produced by embryos and corpus luteum and that these steroids are necessary for maintenance of pregnancy. In this study, we examined 1) endometrial and myometrial expression of 3β-HSD mRNA, 2) uterine 3β-HSD protein activity and 3) in vitro production of A₄ and P₄ by uterine slices harvested from pigs on days 10 to 11, 12 to 13 and 15 to 16 of pregnancy and the estrous cycle. The expression of 3β-HSD and the presence and activity of 3β-HSD protein were different in the endometrium and the myometrium during the examined periods of pregnancy and the estrous cycle. Production of A₄ by the endometrium and myometrium was highest on days 12 to 13 of pregnancy and the estrous cycle. Endometrial secretion of P₄ did not differ in the course of early pregnancy and on the respective days of the estrous cycle. The gravid myometrium was the highest source of P₄ in pregnant pigs on days 12 to 13. The release of P₄ by the cyclic myometrium rose during the examined days of the estrous cycle. The steroidogenic activity of the uterus, as described in this study, may support early pregnancy or the luteal phase of the estrous cycle in pigs.     

Novel Biodegradable Potato Starch-based Compositions as Candidates in Packaging Industry,Safe for Marine Environment

About 70 % of our planet’s surface is covered by seas and oceans to which even 10 million tons of waste go every year. It makes these places the largest global landfills, containing up to 90 % of plastic waste. In this article we present the results of research on novel starch-based compositions expected to be more safe for the marine environment. For these purpose biopolymers such as, thermoplastic starch (TPS), polylactide (PLA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were reactive extruded and formed into films by high-pressure compressing. Their physical, thermal and mechanical properties were examined. Compositions were tested in seawater collected from the Gulf of Gdansk Baltic Sea. The obtained samples were completely disintegrated after 3 weeks. BOD test in the presence of bacteria pseudomonas augerinosa confirmed biodegradation of prepared compositions. The impact assessment of received materials on the marine environment was also evaluated by degradation tests in the presence of Phaeodactylum tricornutum diatom. Cells growth of Phaeodactylum tricornutum diatoms was only slightly inhibited in the presence of TPS/PLA/PVA compositions.     

基于DEM的陕北黄土高原典型地貌分形特征研究

应用分形理论与方法,结合陕北黄土高原1∶5万DEM数据,通过河网分形维数和稳定性系数计算,研究了陕北黄土地貌空间分布特征。结果表明:(1)陕北黄土高原不同地貌类型分形结构复杂程度各异,表现出不同大小的水系分维值和稳定性系数,其中,黄土峁状、梁状丘陵沟壑区地貌结构最为复杂,分维值最大,稳定性系数最小。黄土残塬、黄土塬区分维值次之。黄土—风沙过渡区地形结构简单,地势相对平坦,分维值最低,稳定性程度最高。(2)以分形参数作为定量化指标进行黄土地貌特征研究是可行的,DEM数据集是研究过程中的核心和基础。分形值所描述的分形特征与地貌类型、地质结构等有一定的相关性。此外,对分形几何的地学机理还需要进一步分析。     

PIN proteins perform a rate-limiting function in cellular auxin efflux

Intercellular flow of the phytohormone auxin underpins multiple developmental processes in plants. Plant-specific pin-formed (PIN) proteins and several phosphoglycoprotein (PGP) transporters are crucial factors in auxin transport-related development, yet the molecular function of PINs remains unknown. Here, we show that PINs mediate auxin efflux from mammalian and yeast cells without needing additional plant-specific factors. Conditional gain-of-function alleles and quantitative measurements of auxin accumulation in Arabidopsis and tobacco cultured cells revealed that the action of PINs in auxin efflux is distinct from PGP, rate-limiting, specific to auxins, and sensitive to auxin transport inhibitors. This suggests a direct involvement of PINs in catalyzing cellular auxin efflux.     

Polar PIN localization directs auxin flow in plants

Polar flow of the phytohormone auxin requires plasma membrane-associated PIN proteins and underlies multiple developmental processes in plants. Here we address the importance of the polarity of subcellular PIN localization for the directionality of auxin transport in Arabidopsis thaliana. Expression of different PINs in the root epidermis revealed the importance of PIN polar positions for directional auxin flow and root gravitropic growth. Interfering with sequence-embedded polarity signals directly demonstrates that PIN polarity is a primary factor in determining the direction of auxin flow in meristematic tissues. This finding provides a crucial piece in the puzzle of how auxin flow can be redirected via rapid changes in PIN polarity.     

A Sensitive Spectrophotometric Method for Determination of Trace Quantities of Indium in Soil

A simple and very sensitive method determining microgram quantities of indium in soil has been developed. The spectrophotometric method (??=?1.74?×?10⁵ l mol^-1 cm^-1) based on the mixed complex In (III) with Chrome Azurol S and benzyldodecyldimethylammonium bromide was used for the analysis. A preliminary separation is made by extracting indium into butyl acetate from 5 M HBr solution. The selectivity of indium extraction and determination in the presence of macro- and micro components of soil was studied. Prior reduction of Fe (III) to Fe (II) with ascorbic acid prevents its co-extraction with indium. Indium was determined in synthetic mixtures corresponding to soil compositions and real samples of soil from different agricultural and industrial regions of Poland. The content of indium was found from the calibration graph (in the range, 0.12–0.48 μg/ml; r?=?0.9991) obtained after extraction. The precision was satisfactory: % RSD (n?=?6) ranged from 2.7 to 8.2. The average indium standard recovery ranged from 95 to 101%. Analysis using an ICP-OES method gave comparable results.