bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency presenting with psychomotor retardation in the first Polish patient.
Authors: Mazur Artur , Figurski Szymon , Płoskoń Anna , Meijer Judith , Zoetekouw Lida , Watróbska Stanisława , Sykut-Cegielska Jolanta , Gradowska Wanda , Van Kuilenburg André B P
Published: November 2019

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency is a rare defect of the first step of the pyrimidine catabolic pathway. Patients with a complete enzyme deficiency may be clinically asymptomatic or suffer from neurological abnormalities of various severity. We report a case of an 8-year-old girl with psychomotor retardation and mild course of the disease. Analysis of urine showed strongly elevated levels of uracil and thymine, and no DPD activity could be detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Sequence analysis of the DPD gene (DPYD) revealed that our patient was homozygous for the common splice-site mutation IVS14+1G > A, which suggest that the carrier status for this mutation may be not rare in the Polish population.
Aldolase A is present in smooth muscle cell nuclei.
Authors: Mamczur Piotr , Dzugaj Andrzej
Published: November 2019

Previously we have shown that aldolase (ALD; EC 4.1.2.13) is present in cardiomyocyte nuclei. Now, we focused our attention on ALD localization in smooth muscle cells. Immunocytochemical methods were used to study the subcellular localization of ALD. Aldolase was localized in the cytoplasm as well as in the nuclei. Within the nuclei ALD was located in the heterochromatin region. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by aldolase activity staining in gel was used to study the ALD isoenzyme pattern in porcine smooth muscle cells. Two ALD isoenzymes, A and C, were found in these cells but in the nuclei only the muscle isoenzyme was detected. To support the nuclear localization of ALD, measurement of aldolase activity in the smooth muscle cell nuclei isolated from porcine stomach was performed. The ALD activity in the isolated nuclei was detectable only after preincubation of the nuclear fraction with Triton X-100 and high concentration of KCl.
Prenyl sulfates as alkylating reagents for mercapto amino acids.
Authors: Maltsev Sergey , Sizova Olga , Utkina Natalia , Shibaev Vladimir , Chojnacki Tadeusz , Jankowski Wieslaw , Swiezewska Ewa
Published: November 2019

A new methodology for prenylation of thiol compounds has been developed. The approach is based on the use of prenyl sulfates as new reagents for S-prenylation of benzenethiol and cysteamine in aqueous systems. The C(10)-prenols geraniol and nerol that differ in the configuration (E or Z, correspondingly) of the alpha-isoprene unit were efficiently O-sulfated in the presence of a pyridine-SO(3') complex. The obtained geranyl and neryl sulfates were tested as alkylating agents. These compounds were chosen to reveal the influence of the alpha-isoprene unit configuration on their alkylation (prenylation) ability. S-Geranyl cysteine was prepared to demonstrate the applicability of this method for prenylation of peptides containing mercapto amino acids.
SNP-minisequencing as an excellent tool for analysing degraded DNA recovered from archival tissues.
Authors: Babol-Pokora Katarzyna , Berent Jarosław
Published: November 2019

SNP-minisequencing has become common in forensic genetics, especially for analysing degraded or low copy number DNA (LCN DNA). The aim of this study was to examine the usefulness of five SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) markers for analyzing degraded and LCN DNA recovered from archival samples. DNA extractions of eight formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues were performed and DNA fragments were amplified in one multiplex PCR (polymerase chain reaction). SNPs were identified in a minisequencing reaction and a gel electrophoresis in ABI Prism 377 Sequencer. The research confirmed the usefulness of SNP-minisequencing for analysing FFPE tissues.
Activity of superoxide dismutase obtained from senile cataract lens - effect of diabetes mellitus.
Authors: Panz Tomasz , Wójcik Rafał , Krukar-Baster Krystyna
Published: November 2019

The activity of Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase in the fluid obtained from eye lens capsules after cataract surgery was investigated in samples obtained from patients with senile cataract and with senile cataract combined with diabetes mellitus. Two parameters were measured and compared: the frequency of occurrence of detected superoxide dismutase activity and the relative activity of the enzyme in samples derived from senile cataract patients versus those from the patients affected additionally by diabetes mellitus. It was confirmed that the decrease of superoxide dismutase activity during cataract was additionally promoted by diabetes mellitus.
The nuclear cap-binding protein complex is not essential for nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) in plants.
Authors: Dzikiewicz-Krawczyk Agnieszka , Piontek Paulina , Szweykowska-Kulińska Zofia , Jarmołowski Artur
Published: November 2019

In this study we investigated whether in plants, like in mammals, components of the nuclear cap-binding protein complex (CBC) are involved in nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). We selected several genes producing at least two alternatively spliced mRNA variants: one with a premature termination codon (PTC+) and another without it (PTC-). For each gene the PTC+/PTC- ratio was calculated using RT-PCR and direct sequencing in four Arabidopsis thaliana lines: wild type, the NMD mutant atupf3-1 and two CBC mutants: cbp20 and abh1. Whereas in the NMD mutant the ratios of PTC+/PTC- splice variants were higher than in wild-type plants, the two CBC mutants investigated showed no change in the PTC+/PTC- ratios. Our results suggest that neither CBP20 nor CBP80 is involved in NMD in A. thaliana.
Frequent Novel Variations Within MSH2 and MLH1 Genes in a Subset of Iranian Families With Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer Shadi
Authors: Javan Shadi , Andalib Alireza , Hosseini Bereshneh Ali , Emami Mohammad Hassan , Salehi Rasul , Karami Fatemeh
Published: November 2019

Abstract- Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is the most frequent autosomal dominant predisposition for development of colorectal cancer (CRC) caused by germline defects in mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Current study was aimed to find genetic variations in MSH2 and MLH1 genes and their correlation with the serum levels of Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) in seven Iranian HNPCC families. Seven unrelated Iranian families including 11 HNPCC patients and 7 affected family members were selected. They were initially screened for mutations in exons 7 of MSH2 and exon 15 of MLH1 gene through polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP). Positive PCR results were further analyzed through exon sequencing. Serum CEA level was determined using the ELISA test. PCRSSCP was positive in 8 out of 18 patients (44%) for exons 7 of MSH2 gene, whereas two samples (11%) demonstrated to bear a mutation in exon 15 of the MLH1 gene. Sequencing analysis of both amplified exons in positive and negative samples have confirmed no mutation in negative samples while revealed 5 and 7 novel mutations in exons 7 and 15, respectively. The mean serum concentration of CEA had a significant difference between HNPCC patients and their healthy family members. Our results demonstrated that the PCR-SSCP method has high specificity and sensitivity in the first step of mutation screening of HNPCC families. High frequency of novel alterations found in the current assay may revise the mutation screening of MSH2 and MLH1 genes and abet further assessment of their frequency among individual HNPCC patients.
Evaluation of Serum Protein Carbonyl Levels and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Patients With Basal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Hashemy Seyed Isaac , Taheri Ahmad Reza , Behnamfard Morteza , Teimourian Mehrdad , Sabourirad Sara
Published: November 2019

Abstract- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is one of the most common types of human cancer. Since oxidative stress is believed to be one of the pathogenic mechanisms involved in BCC formation, understanding the probable relation of inflammatory, oxidative factors, such as serum protein carbonyl and total antioxidant capacity, to BCC can help identify other pathogenic aspects of this tumor. Forty cases of BCC and forty cases of healthy controls without BCC or any other systemic disease were included in this study. After 5-ml venous blood samples were obtained from each patient, the separated serum fractions were stored at -70° C until analysis. Serum protein carbonyl level in the BCC group was significantly higher than that in the healthy controls ((5.86±3.25 µM vs. 0.86±0.20 µM, P<0.001). The average serum total antioxidant capacity was 3.41±0.05 mM in the BCC group and 1.15±0.03 mM in the control group (statistically significant at P<001). Oxidative stress might play a role in the pathogenesis of BCC.
Preptin and Myostatin Independently Increase in Pre-Diabetics and Patients of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Nazari Soltan Ahmad Saeed , Nourollahi Sajjad , Nakhjavani Manouchehr , Khojastehfard Mehran , Mostafazadeh Mostafa , Hajipour Hamed , Sanajou Davoud
Published: November 2019

Abstract- The relation between serum preptin, myostatin, insulin, and also homeostatic model assessmentinsulin resistance were examined in pre-diabetes persons and newly diagnosed patients with overt type 2 diabetes mellitus. A total of 84 subjects were included in the study and assigned into three groups: normoglycemic participants (group 1=27), pre-diabetes (group 2=30), and T2DM (group 3=29). Serum insulin, preptin, and myostatin levels were measured with immunoradiometric assay (IRMA), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA), respectively. Patients with T2DM had higher levels of preptin compared to normoglycemic (461.25±53.90 vs. 407.54±54.78, P<0.001). Furthermore, these patients had elevated levels of myostatin compared with controls (2710.60±559.09 vs. 2246.37±416.40, P<0.001). Preptin and myostatin both positively correlated with serum insulin (r=0.369, P=0.01, and r=0.309, P=0.04, respectively). However, no significant association was found between serum preptin and myostatin levels. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that insulin was affected more by preptin, with only a trivial contribution from myostatin. Serum preptin and myostatin levels increase in prediabetic subjects and even further in type 2 diabetic patients. The correlation between preptin and insulin evolves when pre-diabetes or overt type 2 diabetes develops. Moreover, serum myostatin increases in association with insulin and not HOMA-IR in diabetic conditions.
Effect of Radiation Therapy on Wound Healing
Authors: Aghasinejad Gashtasb , Raei Mehdi , Azad Saeid , Aghasinejad Bahareh
Published: November 2019

Abstract- Many studies were carried out to improve sophisticated approaches to accelerate wound healing processes and also, wound healing is extensively discussed in the medicinal literature. In this study, we aimed to investigate the wound healing of mice with visible radiation (630 nm). In this study, 28 male mice were used and randomly divided into 4 groups. All samples were subjected to a 6 mm skin incision. Four groups were tested as following 10 minutes (First group), 20 minutes (Second group), 30 minutes (Third group) light exposure and no light radiation (control group), respectively. Wound contraction was analyzed by taking photos and Image J software. All mice were sacrificed, and samples were evaluated by Hematoxylin and Eosin staining after one week. The results demonstrated that the experimental group with 20 min.light irradiation had a much faster effect of wound healing than the 10, 30 minute and control group. The results showed that 20 minutes of light exposure group was the best treatment.
Assessment of Carvedilol Therapy in Prevention of Heart Failure in HER2 Positive Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Trastuzumab
Authors: Sherafati Alborz , Mehrpooya Maryam , Sattarzadeh Badkoubeh Roya , Larti Farnoosh , Shahi Farhad , Mirzania Mehrzad , Esfandbod Mohsen , Saadat Mohammad , Ghasemi Massoud , Zebardast Jeyran
Published: November 2019

Abstract- Breast cancer is the most common cancer among the female population, and its prevalence is increasing worldwide. Trastuzumab (Herceptin) therapy improves prognosis in HER2 positive patients, but Heart Failure (HF) is one of its known complications. In this study, we aimed to assess the potential benefits of prophylactic carvedilol therapy in patients receiving Herceptin. Sixty five patients with HER2 positive breast cancer were enrolled in the study. All of the patients received Herceptin. Twenty seven patients also received carvedilol 6.25 mg twice daily, and 38 patients had usual care. Echocardiography was performed at baseline, and after three months in both groups and changes in cardiac function, parameters were compared between two groups. After 3 months, LA volume index (P=0.012), TAPSE (P=0.009), Tei index (P=0.015) and Lateral Longitudinal Strain (P=0.024) were significantly better in patients receiving carvedilol. Carvedilol can be effective in the prevention of systolic and diastolic dysfunction following Herceptin therapy.
Multiple Paratesticular Fibrous Pseudotumors in an Adult Patient: Case Report
Authors: Kardoust Parizi Mehdi , Momeni Seyed Ali , Ameli Ghazal
Published: November 2019

Abstract- Paratesticular fibrous pseudotumors (PFP) are relatively rare benign spindle cell tumors. These tumors usually are originated from testicularis tunics and grow into the epididymis and spermatic cord. PFP is a consequent of a reactive proliferation of inflammatory tissue. We report a case of PFP with simultaneous multiple tunica albuginea and tunica vaginalis lesions. A 33-year-old man presented with painless right scrotal lump, normal serum tumor markers, and one centimeter paratesticular mass in ultra-sonography that underwent testis-sparing surgery due to a benign microscopic appearance in frozen section evaluation. Testis sparing surgery can be considered as the preferred management because of the lack of obvious evidence of potential malignancy in this tumor
A Subcutaneous Pleomorphic Hyalinizing Angiectatic Tumor of Soft Parts of the Right Ankle: A Case Report
Authors: Sadeghi Asie , Mardani Azam , Mortazi Shahin , Rakhshani Naser
Published: November 2019

Abstract- Pleomorphic hyalinizing angiectatic tumor (PHAT) is a rare, slow-growing mass, which is locally aggressive and classified as tumors of borderline malignancy. In this study, we report a case of subcutaneous ankle mass in 43-year-old female since 2 years ago with a pathological diagnosis of PHAT, characterized by clusters of ectatic, fibrin-lined, and thin-walled vessels which are surrounded by a spindled or pleomorphic neoplastic stroma.
ANTIRELIGIOUS CAMPAIGN OF THE SOVIET POWER DURING LATE 1920S AND "PIONERSKAYA PRAVDA" NEWSPAPER
Authors: Andreevna Korniushkina Kseniia , Arkad’evna Salnikova Alla
Published: November 2019

Purpose: The article made in the framework of such a new, but dynamically developing trend for post-Soviet historiography, that is the history of Soviet childhood, aims to identify and study the role and the place of periodicals for children in Soviet educational practices.

Methodology: The work also used the methods of historical psychology, in particular, child psychology, in order to identify specific ways of educational impact on target reading group among children.

Result: The results of the study are represented not only by potential informational capability description of such a historical source that is poorly studied by domestic and foreign source science, as the Soviet periodicals for children (in particular, the newspaper "Pionerskaya Pravda"), but also by the determination of the Soviet child media space possibilities concerning the education of "militant atheists". The materials of the article can be used in the process of the Soviet history of Russia, the history of religion, the history of childhood teaching, as well as the history and source study of periodicals in the USSR.

Applications: This research can be used for universities, teachers, and students.

Novelty/Originality: In this research, the model of the Antireligious campaign of the Soviet power during late 1920s and "Pionerskaya Pravda" newspaper is presented in a comprehensive and complete manner.
PUGWASH CONFERENCE ON SCIENCE AND WORLD AFFAIRS: CONTRIBUTION MADE BY VLADIMIR MIKHAILOVICH KHVOSTOV
Authors: Imamutdinova Albina , Kuvshinov Nikita , Venidiktova Elena , Gubaydullina Ramziya
Published: November 2019

Purpose: The article deals with the research activities and interests of Vladimir Mikhailovich Khvostov, which were quite diverse. After analyzing numerous historiographical and archival sources, as well as available literature on this topic, it will be advisable to identify three areas of scientific interests of the scientist.

Methodology: The History of diplomacy and international relations; problems of General and national history (mainly the events of world wars); and the tasks of pedagogical science in General (including historical education). In any of the three presented topics of the study V. M. Khvostov managed to prove himself as a teacher, historian, and organizer of science.

Results: Vladimir Mikhailovich Khvostov studied relations between the world's leading powers, military clashes, and diplomatic history. However, the creative contribution of this scientist has not yet been the subject of special consideration. The article marks the contribution made by Academician Khvostov Vladimir Mikhailovich in the Pugwash movement, his reports, and talks at international congresses and conferences.

Applications: This research can be used for universities, teachers, and students.

Novelty/Originality: This paper analyzes numerous historiographical and archival sources and available literature on the research activities and interests of Vladimir Mikhailovich Khvostov in the context of the History of diplomacy and international relations.
ASPECTS OF INCULTURATION OF NEOPENTECOSTALISM IN THE CONDITIONS OF A POLICONFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Kirillovich Pogasy Anatoly , Nikolaevna Aleksandrova Nadezhda
Published: November 2019

Purpose: The article discusses aspects of the inculturation of neo-Pentecostal churches in a multi-confessional environment. Methodology: The authors describe the introductions of elements of the Orthodox cult and Orthodox spiritual culture into the religious practice of neo-Pentecostal churches, based on data from field studies conducted in 2015-2017 in Kazan.Results: The article raises issues of changing religion in a late modern society and under the influence of the processes of glocalization and globalization. Applications: This research can be used for universities, teachers, and students. Novelty/Originality: This research is devoted to the problems of inculturation of neo-Pentecostal churches in a multi-confessional environment and religion change issues in the context of glocalization and globalization processes.
Haplotypes-based genetic analysis: benefits and challenges
Authors: Sehgal D. , Dreisigacker S.
Published: November 2019

The increasing availability of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) discovered by Next Generation Sequencing will enable a range of new genetic analyses in crops, which was not possible before. Concomitantly, researchers will face the challenge of handling large data sets at the whole-genome level. By grouping thousands of SNPs into a few hundred haplotype blocks, complexity of the data can be reduced with fewer statistical tests and a lower probability of spurious associations. Owing to the strong genome structure present in breeding lines of most crops, the deployment of haplotypes could be a powerful complement to improve efficiency of marker-assisted and genomic selection. This review describes in brief the commonly used approaches to construct haplotype blocks and some examples in animals and crops are cited where haplotype-based dissection of traits were proven beneficial. Some important considerations and facts while working with haplotypes in crops are reviewed at the end.
Detection of CRISPR cassettes and cas genes in the Arabidopsis thaliana genome
Authors: Konstantinov Yu. M. , Petrushin I. S.
Published: November 2019

The state of the art in the evolution of plant viruses allows the genetic foundations of antiviral immunity in higher (including the most important crops) plants to be categorized as one of the most pressing issues of genetics and selection. According to the endosymbiotic theory, mitochondria descended from alphaproteobacteria that had been absorbed but not degraded by the host cell. The discovery of CRISPR-Cas systems (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated proteins), which implement the adaptive immunity function in prokaryotes, raises the question whether such a mechanism of antiviral protection could be caught up by evolution and used by representatives of eukaryotes (in particular, plants). The purpose of this work was to analyze the complete sequences of nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplast genomes of Arabidopsis thaliana in order to search for genetic elements similar to those in CRISPR-Cas systems of bacteria and archaea. As a result, in silico methods helped us to detect a locus of regularly intermittent short direct repeats in the mitochondrial genome of A. thaliana ecotypes. The structure of this locus corresponds to the CRISPR locus of the prokaryotic adaptive antiviral immune system. The probable connection between the locus found in the mitochondrial genome of the higher plant and the function of adaptive immunity is indicated by a similarity between the spacer sequences in the CRISPR cassette found and the genome of Cauliflower mosaic virus affecting Arabidopsis plants. Sequences of repeats and spacers of CRISPR cassettes in Arabidopsis C24 and Ler lines are perfectly identical. However, the locations of the CRISPR locus in the mitochondrial genomes of these lines differ significantly. The CRISPR cassette in the Col-0 line was found to be completely broken as a result of four deletions and one insertion. Although cas genes were not detected in the mitochondrial genome of the studied Arabidopsis ecotypes, their presence was detected in the nuclear genome. Both cas genes and numerous CRISPR cassettes were found on all the five chromosomes in the nuclear genome of the Col-0 ecotype. The results suggest the existence of a system of adaptive immunity in plants, which is similar to the CRISPR immunity of bacteria and archaea.
Genome constitution and differentiation of subgenomes in Siberian and Far Eastern endemic species of the genus Elymus (Poaceae) according to the sequencing of the nuclear gene waxy
Authors: Agafonov A. V. , Asbaganov S. V. , Shabanova (Kobozeva) E. V. , Morozov I. V. , Bondar A. A.
Published: November 2019

Fifty-three species of perennial grasses in the genus Elymus L. (Poaceae), which are widespread in Russia, are generally assumed to have three haplome combinations: StH, StY and StHY. The StH-genome species, endemic to Russia, remain the least studied. R. Mason-Gamer and co-authors have previously shown in a series of studies that a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the low-copy gene waxy (GBSS1) sequences significantly complements cytogenetic data on the genomic constitution and evolutionary relationships among both North American and Asian species of the genus Elymus. To determine the species’ genomic constitution and to evaluate the level of phylogenetic differentiation, we examined the GBSS1 gene in 18 species of Elymus from Siberia and the Russian Far East, including the fol- lowing 14 endemics: E. charkeviczii, E. jacutensis, E. kamczadalorum, E. komarovii, E. kronokensis, E. lenensis, E. macrourus, E. margaritae, E. subfibrosus, E. sajanensis, E. transbaicalensis, E. peschkovae, E. uralensis, and E. viridiglumis.PCR amplification products of GBSS1 gene fragments (including exons 9–14) were cloned and 6–8 clones per accession were sequenced. It appears that all the species studied have St and H subgenomic gene variations. The most significant differences between the subgenomic variants St and H were found in intron 13. The H subgenome contains a 21-bp-long deletion in intron 13 in all Elymus genotypes, probably derived from a common ancestor of the H and P genomes. Instead of this deletion, all St subgenomes have a relatively conservative sequence similar to that of the genus Pseudoroegneria, whose ancestor is considered to be the donor of the modern St subgenome for all Elymus species. Cluster phylogenetic analysis revealed differentiation in St and H subgenome sequences into two evolutionary variants: St1 vs. St2 and H1 vs. H2, respectively. Variants of the St and H subgenomes were found homologous to various modern species of the ancestral genera Pseudoroegneria and Hordeum: St1 to P. strigosa, St2 to P. spicata, H1 to H. jubatum, and H2 to H. californicum. The details of the relationships between Russian and North American species of the genus, as well as a number of microevolutionary interconnections in the group of boreal endemic species of Siberia and the Russian Far East were revealed. The new results obtained here are essential for the development of a phylogenetically oriented taxonomic system for the genus Elymus.
The creation and characterization of the bread wheat line with a centric translocation T2DL.2RL
Authors: Ivanova Yu. N. , Solovey L. A. , Loginova D. B. , Miroshnikova E. E. , Dubovets N. I. , Silkova O. G.
Published: November 2019

The development of bread wheat introgressions with alien genetic material from cultural and wild Triticeae species is an effective method for expanding the wheat gene pool necessary for breeding. To date, numerous collections of introgressions as substitutions and chromosome modifications have been obtained; however, the creation and study of wheat with new valuable traits still remain an important line of research. Rye Secale cereale L., whose chromosomes carry genes that control valuable economic and biological characteristics and properties, is widely used to produce new wheat forms. In this study, a wheat-rye translocation obtained by backcrossing the wheat-rye disomic-substitution line 2R(2D)1 with the variety Novosibirskaya 67 was characterized. The chromosomal composition of karyotypes was studied using fluorescent in situ hybridization and C-banding. Two centric translocations, derived from two long arms of chromosomes 2D and 2R, T2DL.2RL, were identified, the remaining 40 wheat chromosomes did not undergo modifications. Meiosis in the lines was stable. Chromosomes T2DL.2RL formed bivalents in all meiocytes, which confirmed their homology. The morphological characteristics of the spike in the T2DL.2RL line and Novosibirskaya 67 did not differ. A comparative analysis of productivity between the T2DL.2RL translocation line and the parental forms, Novosibirskaya 67 and the 2R(2D)1 line, was carried out. The T2DL.2RL line is inferior to Novosibirskaya 67 in all characters with different confidence levels. The productivity characters of the 2R(2D)1 line exceeded or did not differ from those of T2DL.2RL, however, the mass of 1000 grains was significantly lower. The results showed the effect of the T2DL.2RL translocation on the trait “plant height”. This character was significantly lower than that of Novosibirskaya 67 in two vegetation periods. Consequently, the T2DL.2RL translocation reduces plant height and productivity.
Effect of the host-specific toxin SnTOX3 from Stagonospora nodorum on ethylene signaling pathway regulation and redox-state in common wheat
Authors: Veselova S. V. , Burkhanova G. F. , Nuzhnaya T. V. , Rumyantsev S. D. , Maksimov I. V.
Published: November 2019

The fungus Stagonospora nodorum Berk. is the causative agent of Septoria nodorum blotch (SNB) of wheat. The most important factors of Stagonospora nodorum virulence include numerous fungal necrotrophic effectors (NEs) encoded by SnTox genes. They interact with the matching products of host susceptibility genes (Snn). SnTox-Snn interactions are mirror images of classical gene-for-gene interactions and lead to the development of disease. We have studied the SnTox3-Snn3 interaction, resulting in the development of infection on leaves and formation of extensive lesions. The mechanism of SnTox3 action is likely to be linked to the regulation of redox metabolism and the influence on ethylene synthesis in the wheat plants, although the molecular mechanisms are not fully unveiled. To characterize the SnTox3-Snn3 interaction, we used S. nodorum isolates differing in the expression of the NEs genes SnTox3 (SnB (Tox3+), Sn4VD (Tox3–)) and two soft spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, contrasting in resistance to the SNB agent and differing in the allelic composition of the susceptibility locus Snn3-B1: Kazakhstanskaya 10 (susceptible) and Omskaya 35 (resistant). We carried out a comparative assessment of the transcriptional activity patterns of genes responsible for ethylene biosynthesis (TaACS1, TaACО) and signaling pathway (TaEIL1, TaERF1) by real-time PCR and estimated the redox state of wheat plants infected with different isolates of S. nodorum by spectrometry. The induction of ethylene biosynthesis and signaling has been shown to result from gene-for-gene interaction between Snn3-B1 and SnTox3. The results of plant redox status estimation showed that ethylene inhibited accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in SnTox3-sensitive genotypes by regulating the operation of various pro-/antioxidant enzymes at the transcriptional and posttranslational levels. Our results suggest that NE SnTox3 influences ethylene biosynthesis and signaling, thereby regulating redox metabolism in infected wheat plants as necessary for successful host colonization at the initial phases of infection, which ultimately leads to extensive lesions due to fast pathogen reproduction.
Induced resistance to the greenbug aphid Schizaphis graminum Rond. in species of the genus Triticum
Authors: Rumyantsev S. D. , Veselova S. V. , Burkhanova G. F. , Maksimov I. V.
Published: November 2019

The greenbug aphid Schizaphis graminum Rond. causes a significant loss of the grain harvest. Therefore, to improve plant resistance to aphids is one of the topical tasks. The problem of creating varieties resistant to phloem-feeding insects is quite urgent, since the mechanisms procuring the resistance of plants to insects are not fully understood. Nevertheless, modern literature describes some mechanisms associated with changes in the redox state of colonized plants. Besides, attention is being increasingly focused on the study of mechanisms that underlie inducible resistance to aphids in wheat and are regulated by hormonal signaling systems. To detect connections among the redox status, indicators of resistance (antibiosis and endurance) of wheat plants to the pest, and induction of the jasmonate (JA) and salicylate (SA) signaling pathways, we studied accessions of three species of wheat plants – Triticum aestivum L., T. monococcum., and T. timopheevii Zhuk.– infested with S. graminum greenbugs by physiological, biochemical, and molecular methods. Analysis of antibiosis and endurance showed that T. timopheevii k-58666 and T. monococcum k-39471 were resistant to S. graminum, the latter accession being the most enduring. High hydrogen peroxide contents and high peroxidase activities were detected in the resistant plants. We investigated the expression of genes encoding PR proteins, including markers and regulators of the salicylate (TaRboh, TaPAL, Tapr1, TaPrx) and jasmonate (TaPI, TaLOX, TaPrx) signaling pathways. At the early stage of infestation in the susceptible T. aestivum variety Salavat Yulaev, the expression of only jasmonate-dependent genes was activated in response to plant damage. In the resistant T. timopheevii accession k-58666, expression of only salicylate-dependent genes was activated, while the aphid reproduction was practically absent. In the resistant T. monococcum accession k-39471, expression was activated in both the salicylate-dependent and jasmonate-dependent gene groups. We assume that the oxidative burst in the resistant forms of wheat was induced via the activation of the SA signaling pathway, which was of crucial importance in the further cascade of chemical reactions leading to the development of resistance.
The cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase gene family is involved in the response to Fusarium oxysporum in resistant and susceptible flax genotypes
Authors: Novakovskiy R. O. , Povkhova L. V. , Krasnov G. S. , Rozhmina T. A. , Zhuchenko A. A. , Kudryavtseva L. P. , Pushkova E. N. , Kezimana P. , Kudryavtseva A. V. , Dmitriev A. A. , Melnikova N. V.
Published: November 2019

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is used for the production of textile, oils, pharmaceuticals, and composite materials. Fusarium wilt, caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lini, is a very harmful disease that reduces flax production. Flax cultivars that are resistant to Fusarium wilt have been developed, and the genes that are involved in the host response to F. oxysporum have been identified. However, the mechanisms underlying resistance to this pathogen remain unclear. In the present study, we used transcriptome sequencing data obtained from susceptible and resistant flax genotypes grown under control conditions or F. oxysporum infection. Approximately 250 million reads, generated with an Illumina NextSeq instrument, were analyzed. After filtering to exclude the F. oxysporum transcriptome, the remaining reads were mapped to the L. usitatissimum genome and quantified. Then, the expression levels of cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) family genes, which are known to be involved in the response to F. oxysporum, were evaluated in resistant and susceptible flax genotypes. Expression alterations in response to the pathogen were detected for all 13 examined CAD genes. The most significant differences in expression between control and infected plants were observed for CAD1B, CAD4A, CAD5A, and CAD5B, with strong upregulation of CAD1B, CAD5A, and CAD5B and strong downregulation of CAD4A. When plants were grown under the same conditions, the expression levels were similar in all studied flax genotypes for most CAD genes, and statistically significant differences in expression between resistant and susceptible genotypes were only observed for CAD1A. Our study indicates the strong involvement of CAD genes in flax response to F. oxysporum but brings no evidence of their role as resistance gene candidates. These findings contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the response of flax to F. oxysporum infection and the role of CAD genes in stress resistance.
Nuclear and chloroplast genome variability in leek (Allium porrum L.)
Authors: Dyachenko E. A. , Seredin T. M. , Filyushin M. A.
Published: November 2019

The genus Allium L. (Amaryllidaceae), the most numerous among monocotyledonous plants, includes such economically important vegetable crops as onion (A. cepa), garlic (A. sativum) and leek (A. porrum). Leek has a high taste and proven valuable dietary properties and is one of the most popular vegetable crops in Western Europe. Despite a high importance of leek as a vegetable, this species is rarely the subject of molecular genetic studies. The genetic diversity of leeks has never been studied before. Therefore, in this work, we studied the nuclear variability (AFLP) and the chloroplast (nucleotide sequence analysis) genomes using a broad sample. For this work, 65 leek accessions were selected from the collection of the Scientific Center of Vegetable Crops, which included varieties of domestic and foreign breeding. As a result of an AFLP analysis and processing of the DNA spectra obtained, 760 fragments were identified, of which 716 were polymorphic for the leek accessions being analyzed. The calculated genetic distances between the leek samples varied from 0.4 to 0.76, which is comparable to the intraspecific polymorphism of related Allium species (onions, garlic). Analysis of the genomic structure with STRUCTURE 2.3.4 divided the leek samples into seven groups, which generally coincides with the clustering of these samples. To assess the variability of the chloroplast genome, nine sites of the chloroplast genome were sequenced in the leek samples, both non-coding (intergenic spacers rpl32-trnL, ndhJ-trnL, and intron rps16 gene), and protein coding genes (psaA, psaB, psbA, psbB, psbE, petB). The analysis of the sites of the leek chloroplast genome revealed an extremely low level of their polymorphism, only six SNPs were detected in the studied sequences with a total length of about 10,500 bp. Thus, as a result of this work, a high level of polymorphism of the leek nuclear genome was revealed, while the polymorphism of the chloroplast genome was extremely low.
Allelic variants for Waxy genes in common wheat lines bred at the Lukyanenko National Grain Center
Authors: Davoyan E. R. , Bespalova L. A. , Davoyan R. O. , Agaeva E. V. , Bukreeva G. I. , Zubanova Yu. S. , Mikov D. S. , Boldakov D. M.
Published: November 2019

This article presents the results of a molecular marker-assisted study of allelic variants of Wx genes in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) lines. The study was carried out as part of the work on the transfer of null alleles of the genes Wx-A1, Wx-B1, and Wx-D1 to the varieties of soft wheat and creation of breeding material with modified activities of the main enzymes involved in amylose biosynthesis. The lines were obtained at the Department of Breeding and Seed Production of Wheat and Triticale, National Center of Grain named after P.P. Lukyanenko, by crossing mutant forms carrying inactive (null) alleles of genes Wx-A1, Wx-B1, and Wx-D1 with bread wheat cultivars. The molecular markers selected for the study allowed identification of valuable breeding material carrying both single null alleles of Wx genes and their combinations in its genome. A combination of two null alleles (Wx-A1b + Wx-D1b) was detected in 30 lines. The presence of three null alleles (Wx-A1b + Wx-B1b + Wx-D1b), which corresponded to fully Wx wheat, was found in one line. We selected 37 lines that combined the presence of the Wx-B1e allele with the Wx-A1b and Wx-D1b null alleles. The Wx-A1b + Wx-B1e combination was identified in 26 lines, and 24 lines carried the combination of alleles Wx-B1e + Wx-D1b. The mutant forms PI619381, PI619384, and PI619386 were identified as carriers of the functional Wx-B1e allele. The Wx-A1b and Wx-B1e alleles could have been transferred to the studied lines from the donors used or from the Starshina and Korotyshka varieties, respectively. The mutant forms used in the crosses are donors of the Wx-B1b and Wx-D1b alleles. The use of molecular markers chosen by us for identification of the allelic state of the Wx-A1, Wx-B1, and Wx-D1 genes can provide grounds for marker-assisted selection for this trait. Selected lines found to possess null alleles of the Wx genes are applicable in breeding programs aimed at the improvement of technological qualities of grain and raise of bread wheat varieties with modified starch properties.
Phenotypic effects of the dwarfing gene Rht-17 in spring durum wheat under two climatic conditions
Authors: Chernook A. G. , Kroupin P. Yu. , Bespalova L. A. , Panchenko V. V. , Kovtunenko V. Ya. , Bazhenov M. S. , Nazarova L. A. , Karlov G. I. , Kroupina A. Yu. , Divashuk M. G.
Published: November 2019

Alleles of the genes, conferring a dwarfing phenotype, play a crucial role in wheat breeding, as they not only reduce plant height, ensuring their resistance to lodging, but also have a number of positive and negative pleiotropic effects on plant productivity. Durum wheat carries only two subgenomes (A and B), which limits the use of the D-subgenome genes and requires the expansion of the arsenal of dwarfing alleles and the study of their effects on height and agronomically important traits. We studied the effect of the gibberellin-insensitive allele Rht-B1p in the B2F2:3 families, developed by crossing Chris Mutant /#517//LD222 in a field experiment in Moscow and Krasnodar. In our experiments, plants homozygous for Rht-B1p were shorter than those homozygous for the wild-type allele Rht-B1a by 36.3 cm (40 %) in Moscow and 49.5 cm (48 %) in Krasnodar. In the field experiment in Krasnodar, each plant with Rht-B1p had one less internode than any plant with Rht-B1a, which additionally contributed to the decrease in plant height. Grain weight per main spike was lower in plants with Rht-B1p than in plants with Rht-B1a by 12 % in Moscow and by 23 % in Krasnodar due to a decrease in 1000 grain weight in both regions of the field experiment. The number of grains per main spike in plants with Rht-B1p was higher in comparison to that with Rht-B1a by 6.5 % in Moscow due to an increase in spikelet number per main spike and by 11 % in Krasnodar due to an increase in grain number per spikelet. The onset of heading in plants with Rht-B1p in comparison with the plants with the wild-type allele Rht-B1a was 7 days later in Krasnodar. The possibility and prospects for the use of Rht-B1p in the breeding of durum wheat are discussed.
Features of the resource species Miscanthus sacchariflorus (Maxim.) Hack. when introduced in West Siberia
Authors: Gismatulina Yu. A. , Budaeva V. V. , Sakovich G. V. , Vasilyeva O. Yu. , Zueva G. A. , Gusar A. S. , Dorogina O. V.
Published: November 2019

Here we provide a scientific justification and experimental support for the choice of easily renewable cellulosic feedstock Miscanthus sacchariflorus (Maxim.) Hack. in order to obtain high-quality nutrient broths therefrom for bacterial cellulose biosynthesis. The plant life-forms promising for breeding were screened under introduction conditions at the Central Siberian Botanical Garden, SB RAS, and this study was thus aimed at investigating the full and reduced ontogenetic patterns; cellulose and noncellulosic contents, including lignin; and duraminization of vegetative (feedstock source) organs throughout the seasonal development. The full ontogenetic patterns of the plants grown from seeds that had been collected in native habitats were compared to show that M. sacchariflorus and M. sinensis Anderss. accessions are distinguished by longer being at the most vulnerable developmental stages: seedlings and plantlets. Hence, it is preferable to cultivate seedlings on protected ground, and plantations are advisable to establish with more stable cloned vegetative material. The chemical compositions of the whole plant, leaf and stem separately, from seven M. sacchariflorus harvests were examined to reveal a rise in cellulose content and a drop in noncellulosic content with plantation age. The Miscanthus stem was found to contain more cellulose than the leaf, regardless of the plant age. The overall cellulose content was 48−53 %, providing a rationale for studies of bacterial cellulose biosynthesis in a M. sacchariflorusderived nutrient medium. Since high lignin content is undesirable for technological processes concerned with biosynthesis of bacterial cellulose, we performed histochemical assays of transverse sections of the culms to monitor the seasonal course of lignification. Our results suggest that the specific time limits for harvesting the aboveground biomass as a feedstock be validated by histochemical data on the seasonal course of lignification of M. sacchariflorus sprouts. To sum up, the examined chemical composition of M. sacchariflorus grown in the Siberian climate conditions demonstrated its prospects as a source of glucose substrate, the basic component of good-quality nutrient media for biosynthesis of bacterial cellulose.
Impact of growing conditions on the gum properties of different genotypes of guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.)
Authors: Kruchina-Bogdanov I. V. , Miroshnichenko E. V. , Shaukharov R. A. , Kantemirova E. N. , Golovina M. A. , Abdullaev K. M. , Balashov A. V. , Rusinova E. V. , Rusinov P. G. , Potokina E. K.
Published: November 2019

Galactomannan (gum), a water-soluble polysaccharide, is widely used as a gelling agent in liquids, including in the oil and gas industry for hydraulic fracturing. The most effective source of this valuable plant material is seeds of guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.), a legume crop new for Russia. Although in recent years progress has been made in the selection of guar varieties adapted to the conditions of the Russian Federation, the question of the most appropriate region for the cultivation of this crop remains open. The purpose of the study was to investigate how a region and technology of guar cultivation can affect the main indicators of the final target product: the content and viscosity of guar gum extracted from the seeds of various guar genotypes. To understand this, ecogeographical tests of 13 guar accessions from the VIR collection were conducted at the experimental stations of the Vavilov Institute (VIR), where climatic conditions correspond to the temperature requirements of the crop. To compare the properties of gum extracted from the seeds of various genotypes, a fast-tracked laboratory method was suggested allowing gum extracts to be obtained for assessing their viscosity. The method allows fast screening of the breeding material and selecting guar genotypes with beneficial properties of guar gum which are in demand by the oil industry. Applying the fast laboratory method for assessing the properties of gum in seeds of 13 guar varieties showed that the content and viscosity of gum of the same variety vary greatly depending on growing conditions. The same set of 13 guar accessions was grown in 2018 at the Volgograd, Astrakhan, Dagestan and Kuban VIR experimental stations. As a result, the maximum viscosity values were obtained for the seeds reproduced at the Astrakhan region, where the guar was grown on irrigated lands. On the other hand, the maximum gum content in the seeds of all accessions was recorded when they were grown in the Volgograd region. The results showed that the guar gum extracted from seeds of guar plants grown in the Russian Federation can be used as a gelling agent in the processes of intensification of oil production by the method of hydraulic fracturing. This experience is new to the Russian Federation.
Monitoring severity of Lophodermium sp. in pine forest with satellite images Sentinel 2
Authors: Molina-Serrano José Antonio , Fajardo-Franco Marja Liza , Aguilar-Tlatelpa Martin , Castañeda-Mendoza Arturo
Published: November 2019

En el presente estudio se estimó la severidad causada por el tizón de los pinos (Lophodermium sp.) en rodales de pino mediante imágenes provenientes del satélite Sentinel 2 y evaluaciones de campo. Para tal efecto, se utilizaron tres índices: a) Índice de Vegetación de Diferencia Normalizada (NDVI), b) Índice de Estrés de Humedad (MSI) y el Índice de Vegetación Ajustado al Suelo (SAVI); obtenidos de la combinación de bandas satelitales adquiridas mensualmente durante febrero a julio del 2017. Los valores obtenidos por los índices se correlacionaron con la severidad del tizón de los pinos, estimada en 24 sitios de muestreo. Los datos obtenidos mediante el MSI tuvieron una alta correlación positiva con los valores observados de la severidad (0.70783, p<0.0001), mientras que los valores estimados mediante el NDVI y el SAVI tuvieron una moderada (0.53316, p<0.0001) y baja correlación positiva (0.24844, p=0.0062), respectivamente. Los resultados mostraron que el uso de imágenes satelitales Sentinel 2 y el MSI tienen potencial para ser utilizados como una herramienta en el monitoreo de Lophodermium sp. en bosque de pino.
Cats that get stressed when visiting the veterinary practice: can gabapentin help improve their welfare?
Authors: Buckley Louise Anne
Published: November 2019

PICO question

In cats which are stressed as a consequence of veterinary interventions does gabapentin administration, compared with no gabapentin, result in lower levels of stress?

Clinical bottom line

There is moderate to good evidence to indicate that a single dose (100 mg) of oral gabapentin administered to cats might reduce signs of acute stress associated with veterinary visits. Two blinded, randomised, placebo controlled trials were reviewed, with consistency of direction of effect for the main outcome measure (Cat Stress Score) assessed.