iH026a is a formulation containing a biochemical class of plant growth regulator that modulates glycoconjugation through the plant lectin cycle. While lectins are common to vascular plants, we observed, consistent with reversible binding of sugars from lectins, enhancements of quantities and qualities of various features, including significant enrichment of Brix soluble sugars compared to controls in cherry, grape, and melon in trials conducted in Arizona and California, USA., A. M. Nonomura, A. Pedersen, D. P. Brummel, L. Loveless, A. Lauria, B. Haschemeyer, M. S. McBride, and Obsahuje bibliografické odkazy
Anthropogenic activities and improper uses of phosphate fertilizers have led to an increase in cadmium concentrations in agricultural soils. Brassinosteroids are steroid hormones that are rapidly assimilated and metabolised with beneficial roles in physiological and biochemical processes in plants. Our aim was to ascertain whether exogenous treatment with 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) can mitigate the Cd toxicity, and whether this substance can reduce the Cd accumulation in plant tissues. Furthermore, the dose response to EBR was determined following exposure to Cd in Vigna unguiculata. The experiment was a completely randomised factorial design with two concentrations of Cd (0 and 500 μM) and three concentrations of EBR (0, 50, and 100 nM). Spraying plants exposed to Cd with EBR significantly reduced the concentrations of Cd and increased nutrient contents in all tissues. The EBR treatment caused significant enhancements in leaf, root, and total dry matter. Foliar application of EBR reduced the negative effects of Cd toxicity on chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange parameters. Pretreatment with EBR also increased contents of pigments in plants exposed to Cd, compared with the identical treatments without EBR. Cd elevated contents of oxidant compounds, inducing cell damages, while EBR significantly decreased the concentrations of these compounds. We confirmed that EBR mitigated the negative effects related to Cd toxicity, reduced the absorption and transport of Cd, and increased the contents of essential elements. In plants exposed to Cd, the most apparent dose response was found for 100 nM EBR, with beneficial repercussions on growth, gas exchange, primary photosynthetic processes, and photosynthetic pigments, which were intrinsically connected to lower production of oxidant compounds and cell damage., L. R. Santos, B. L. Batista, A. K. S. Lobato., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Biotopes of bromeliads observed in three national parks situated in south-eastern Brazil are described. Epiphytic and terres - trial species from tropical rainforests and cloud forests, together referred to as Mata atlântica, are pictured. An interesting story about a very popular cultivated variety Neo - regelia cv. Fireball is also mentioned. and Miloslav Studnička.
A global decline in pollinator abundance and diversity has demanded increased research attention to the ecology and genetics of bumblebees. However, as progressively more restrictions are placed on sampling for insects, researchers are increasingly obliged to use archival specimens collected for purposes other than genetic analyses. In this study we assessed the suitability, for population genetic studies, of popular, low-cost methods for preservation and storage of bumblebee specimens. Specimens of Bombus terrestris L. were held under six storage regimes for up to two years. DNA was extracted from the samples using three extraction protocols and the quality of the DNA was examined using PCR amplification of a mitochondrial and a nuclear gene. All extraction and storage methods provided sufficient DNA for successful PCR amplification. However, samples preserved in acetone or at freezing temperatures yielded the highest DNA concentrations. DNA yields from pinned specimens at room temperature declined over time, particularly when using standard extraction techniques. DNA concentrations were significantly lower from specimens preserved in 70% ethanol compared to all other extraction techniques and declined linearly over the two years of storage. These results indicate that two of the most popular insect storage methods (pinning and storage in ethanol) should be avoided for the long-term preservation of genetic material for future studies. We suggest that optimal insect preservation methods should be incorporated into research protocols in order to best capitalise on limited collection opportunities., António S. Moreira ... []., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) are undifferentiated cells capable of unlimited self-renewal. By introducing specific transcription factors, any somatic (fully differentiated) cell of the mammalian body can be changed (reprogrammed) into iPSC. The iPSCs are very similar to embryonic stem cells in their molecular and functional properties. By using specific factors, iPSCs can be differentiated into each of the about 200 cell types in the human body. The big advantage of iPSCs is the availability of somatic cells (isolation from blood or skin biopsy). Creation of "tailor made" iPSCs for each patient would allow transplantation of own cells and avoid problems with finding an immunologically compatible donor. and Kateřina Vodičková Kepková, Petr Vodička, Jan Motlík.