Volume 8, Issue 8

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the effect of apolipoprotein E polymorphism (APOE) on somatic and lipid risk parameters varies in women of differing reproductive status. We analyzed 447 Slovak women aged between 39 and 90 years. APOE genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP. Regression analysis confirmed the effect of the APOE genotype on the levels of LDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein B (apoB), nonHDL-cholesterol and on the three atherogenic indices: apoB-to-apoA1, TC-to-HDLcholesterol, LDL-C-to-HDL-cholesterol. Here, lower mean levels were registered in the E2 carriers than in the E3 and E4 subgroups. However, the impact of menopausal status on lipid parameters was not confirmed. Bonferroni correction showed that systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in the E4 carriers compared to the E3 group (P=0.017). Univariate analysis of covariance revealed a significant interaction between the menopausal group and the APOE group, and their common effect on waist-to-hipratio (WHR). Bonferroni correction in early postmenopausal women showed that the mean WHR values were significantly different between E2 and E4 groups (P=0.008). This study demonstrates that the E*2 allele has a protective effect against higher blood lipid levels. Moreover, the results suggest that E*2 could have a partial negative effect on WHR in early postmenopausal Slovak women.

The effect of Li+ ions as a transformation inducing agent on the yeast cell wall has been studied. Two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, p63-DC5 with a native cell wall, and strain XCY42-30D(mnn1) which contains structural changes in the mannan-protein complex, were used. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy has been used for the characterization of the yeast strains and for determination of the effect of lithium cations on the cell wall. A comparison of the carbohydrate absorption band positions in the 970–1185 cm−1 range, of Na+ and Li+ treated yeast cells has been estimated. Absorption band positions of the cell wall carbohydrates of p63-DC5 were not influenced by the studied ions. On the contrary, the treatment of XCY42-30D(mnn1) cells with Li+ ions shifted glucan band positions, implying that the cell wall structure of strain XCY42-30D(mnn1) is more sensitive to Li+ ion treatment.

The gastrointestinal microbiota in rabbits play an important role in protection against potential pathogens via the development of the mucosal immune system. The gut health, including the microbial and immunological stability, is often influenced by exogenous factors, mainly around the weaning period. Therefore, alternative strategies are required to improve the animal’s health. In this study, the diet of rabbits was supplemented with the semi-purified enterocins Ent 2019, Ent M and Ent 4231, produced by bacteriocinogenic strains with probiotic properties, rabbit-derived Enterococcus faecium CCM7420 and non rabbit-derived E. faecium strains AL41 and CCM4231. The phagocytic activity, index of phagocytic activity and the gluthatione-peroxidase enzyme activity in blood were determined during the Ents consumption and also 3 weeks after their cessation. At 21 days into the experiment the highest phagocytic activity was observed in rabbits receiving Ent M. A significant increase in phagocytosis was noted in rabbits with Ent 2019 over the entire experiment. Moreover, a lower gluthatione-peroxidase activity was measured in rabbits receiving Ent M and Ent 2019. No effect of Ent 4231 application on the tested parameters was recorded. The Ent M and Ent 2019 improved the digestive immunity and the host’s defense capacities by stimulating leucocyte phagocytosis, without oxidative stress induction in rabbits.

The activities of antioxidant defence enzymes — total, manganese and copper zinc containing superoxide dismutase (Tot SOD, Mn SOD, CuZn SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GR) and biotransformation phase II enzyme glutathione-S-transferase (GST) — in the liver of longfin gurnard (Chelidonichthys obscurus) from the Montenegrin coastline (Adriatic sea) were investigated. The specimens were collected in winter (February) and late spring (May) at two localities: Platamuni (PL, potentially unpolluted) and the Estuary of the River Bojana (EB, potentially polluted). The obtained results show that the activities of Mn SOD, CAT, GSH-Px and GST in winter were significantly lower at EB than at PL. In spring, the activities of CAT and GST were decreased, while GR activity was increased at EB in comparison to PL. The activities of Mn SOD and GST at PL were decreased and GSH-Px, GR and GST activities at EB were increased in spring compared to winter. Our work represents the first study of liver antioxidant enzymes of longfin gurnard from the Montenegrin coastline and reveals that locality, as a variable, has a greater influence on antioxidant enzymes and biotransformation phase II enzyme GST activities compared to season.

The invasive Cotton Bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera Hübner, Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) has become a serious pest of several agricultural plants since its first mass occurrence in Hungary (1993). During the decades of the species’ presence in the Carpathian Basin, a remarkable fluctuation was detected in its abundance and flight phenology. We analysed long term light trap records and meteorological data to identify the possible factors behind these fluctuations. This study presents an overview of the areal dispersion and the rate of accumulation and flight phenology of this invasive pest, from its first Hungarian mass occurrence until the present, focusing on the influence of climatic factors on the Hungarian distribution of H. armigera. According to our estimation, this pest occupied 94% of the area of Hungary within eight years. There were significant differences in pest pressure by regions, corroborated by the average number of trapped specimens and the regression coefficients. Fluctuations of specimen numbers in the different years are clearly visible in the flight phenology diagrams, which depend on the rate of the growing abundance. The results indicate that abiotic elements may also play a significant role in the areal dispersion of this important invasive insect.

In order to quickly and efficiently evaluate the salt tolerance of alfalfa, salinity tests were conducted on Medicago sativa L. var. australis, var. icon, var. loi, and var. gea, under in vitro conditions. Pregerminated seeds of four varieties were subjected to five different NaCl concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 mM). The influence of saline stress was estimated on the basis of survival percentage, growth parameters, and electrolyte leakage. The seedlings surviving on the medium enriched with salt at the highest concentration were presumed to be tolerant and represented the mother plants for the production of in vitro clones. In the following step, the clones were evaluated in vitro to confirm the salt tolerance. The influence of mild salt stress (75 mM NaCl) on the growth parameters of selected clones was examined. At the end of this trial, the proline accumulation and sodium content in alfalfa shoots were also quantified. The results suggest an increased level of proline promotes salt tolerance. Medicago sativa L. var. icon is highly tolerant in comparison with the other varieties tested. In vitro selection of M. sativa L. varieties on salt-containing media allowed us to obtain clones with increased salinity tolerance.

Four experiments were carried out in 2010 and 2011 to determine how cultivation period (spring or autumn), harvest season (summer or autumn), and plant water status (irrigated or rainfed) influenced content and composition of broccoli cultivar Parthenon F1 with respect to sulforaphane and phenolics under field conditions in Gödöllő, Hungary. Sulforaphane content was significantly higher in the autumn harvests, regardless of irrigation treatments. Harvest season also influenced total phenolics content, with the highest values occurring in the spring season. Harvest season also affected trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and this capacity was also the greatest in spring. Caffeic acid glucoside was a major phenolics component in both spring and autumn season harvests. The season and irrigation related changes in other phenolic component contents were also characterised in this study.

The lamina, main vein and peduncle anatomical properties of Centaurea sadleriana Janka plants from two populations, were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. The indumentum was comprised of glandular and non-glandular trichomes of two types. The leaves were amphistomatic, isolateral, with strongly developed palisade tissue. Secretory ducts were observed along the phloem or sclerenchyma of large vascular bundles. Collenchyma alternated with chlorenchyma in the main vein and peduncle. Large groups of strongly lignified sclerenchyma were present along the phloem of peduncle vascular bundles. These features, together with thickened walls of epidermal cells and cuticle, numerous trichomes and thick-walled parenchyma in the perimedullar zone, were perceived as a xeromorphic peduncle structural adaptation. Non-enzymatic antioxidant compounds of phenolic origin were detected in small amounts and their respective content was higher in leaves compared to inflorescences. Compounds of phenolic orgin showed positive correlation with total potenial of antioxidant activity indicated by the DPPH assay. Greater total quantity of polyphenols and tannins was detected in leaves of plants from Zobnatica locality, while leaves of plants from Rimski Sanac were characterized by higher content of total flavonoids and proantocyanidins. Phytochemical analysis showed that dominant secondary biomolecules in inflorescences were phenolic pigments including anthocyanins and leucoanthocyanins, and free quinones in leaves.

This work presents the Dauco carotae-Crepidetum rhoeadifoliae plant association, which is new to Poland. The association has been observed in industrial reclamation areas in the vicinity of carbonate mineral excavation sites in the central part of the Opole region. In the vast majority of cases, plots of this association developed in reclaimed areas. The majority of diagnostic species for the association was found within surveyed plots, including Verbascum thapsus, V. densiflorum and Bryum argenteum. Taxa characteristic of the alliance were also constantly present, i.e. Daucus carota, Melilotus alba, M. officinalis, Echium vulgare and Erysimum hieracifolium. This association belongs to the rarest syntaxa in Poland included in the Dauco-Melilotion alliance of ruderal communities with a predominance of hemicryptophytes, therophytes and perennials. The main diagnostic species — Crepis rhoeadifolia, belongs to very rare elements of Polish flora. It has been observed only in the southern part of the country in approx. 20 sites. Crepis rhoeadifolia had not been observed in Silesia for approx. 40 years, which is why it was considered to be an extinct taxon in this region. Rediscovering of the species allowed for diagnosing the Dauco-Crepidetum rhoeadifoliae association. This association is an example of a pioneer phytocenosis of, most likely, anthropogenic origin in Silesia.