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Polyphenolic Characterization, Antioxidant, Antihyaluronidase and Antimicrobial Activity of Young Leaves and Stem Extracts from Rubus caesius L.
Fruits are the main food part of the European dewberry (Rubus caesius L.), known as a source of polyphenols and antioxidants, while very little attention is paid to leaves and stems, especially young first-year stems. The purpose of this work was to analyze for the first time water and ethanol extracts obtained from young, freshly developed, leaves and stems of the European dewberry to determine their antioxidant and biological activity, whereas most of the papers describe biological properties of leaves collected during summer or autumn. As the phytochemical profile changes during the growing season, the quantitative and qualitative content of flavonoid glycosides and flavonoid aglycones was analyzed using reversed phase liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The ability to inhibit hyaluronidase as well as antioxidant activity (2,2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl: DPPH and ferric antioxidant power: FRAP) were estimated. Extracts were also analyzed against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The results of the qualitative phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of flavonoid aglycones and flavonoid glycosides, with the highest amount of tiliroside, hyperoside, isoquercetin, astragalin, rutin and catechin in ethanol extracts. DPPH and FRAP tests proved the high antioxidant activity of the extracts from leaves or stems and the antihyaluronidase assay revealed for the first time that water and ethanol extracts obtained from the stems exhibited the ability to inhibit hyaluronidase activity resulting in an IC50 of 55.24 ± 3.21 and 68.7 ± 1.61 μg/mL, respectively. The antimicrobial activity has never been analyzed for European dewberry and was the highest for Clostridium bifermentans and Clostridium sporogenes—anaerobic sporulation rods as well as Enterococcus faecalis for both water and ethanol extracts.
Trace of negative changes in environment recorded in cores of trees growing near busy city roads in Poznań, Poland – dendromonitoring of urban pollution
Microarthropods Living on the Endemic Tree Zelkova abelicea (Ulmaceae) with Particular Attention to Collembola Diversity
Zelkova abelicea is an endemic tree species growing in several localities in the mountainous regions of Crete, Greece. To date, the microarthropod species associated with this tree species have not been identified. Since Z. abelicea populations are isolated and fragmented, it was hypothesized that the characteristics of microarthropod assemblages, particularly in the case of springtails (Collembola), would vary and differ among localities. Moreover, rare microarthropod species that colonize microhabitats not included in previous studies on Zelkova trees were expected to be recorded. Samples were collected from the bark and twigs of Z. abelicea at eight localities in all main mountain ranges. Among the collected material, Collembola were the most numerous (10,285), followed by Acari (2237) and representatives of Psocoptera (422). The obtained material and statistical analyses showed that the arthropod assemblages differed considerably at each experimental site, with the most distinct assemblage characteristics observed at the Gerakari site on Mt. Kedros in central Crete. The most numerous specimens were species of Collembola: Xenylla maritima (3844), Xenylla sp. 2 (maritima complex) (3364) and Xenylla sp. 1 (maritima complex) (2631). A total of 33 Collembola species were recorded, of which 19 had not been previously reported in Crete. Among them, 11 species were likely new to science and will be the subject of separate taxonomic studies.
Materiały do poznania rozmieszczenia sówek (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Erebidae, Noctuidae) na obszarze Beskidu Niskiego i Pogórza Środkowobeskidskiego
Dinukleozydopolifosforany (NpnN') jako element molekularnego mechanizmu odpowiedzi roślin na środowiskowe czynniki stresowe na przykładzie winorośli (Vitis vinifera L.) - projekt w konkursie Opus24
The Effect of In Vitro Coinoculation on the Physiological Parameters of White Lupine Plants (Lupinus albus L.)
The aim of the study was to select microbiological inoculants for a specific plant species, i.e., white lupine (Lupinus albus L.), to increase the efficiency of the diazotroph process. The research involved an in vitro assessment of interactions between the symbiotic bacteria (Bradyrhizobium sp. isolated from Nitragina and Nitroflora commercial preparations dedicated to white lupine) and selected endophytes (Pseudomonas fluorescens or Bacillus subtilis) used for seed coinoculation. In addition, selected morphological traits of plants (the weight and length of aboveground and belowground parts) were examined after the inoculation/coinoculation. The degree of root colonisation by selected endophytes used as individual inoculants and in combination with bacteria of the Bradyrhizobium genus was determined. The diazotrophic parameters were also investigated (nitrogenase activity, the number, and weight of nodules). The results showed no antagonistic interactions have been demonstrated between bacterial strains of the genus Bradyrhizobium sp. isolated from Nitragina and Nitroflora, and the endophytes Pseudomonas fluorescens or Bacillus subtilis used for the study. The applied coinoculation in vitro had a stimulating effect on the weight of the stems and roots of white lupine causing an average increase of 13% and 28%, respectively. The level of nitrogenase activity in the coinoculation variants increased from 3.5 nMC2H4 plant−1 h−1 to an average of 32.34 nMC2H4 plant−1 h−1.
The Nasturtium ×sterile (airy shaw) Oefelein 1958 in Poland – future useful horticultural plant?
This study presents the taxonomic, cytometric and phytosociological characteristics of Nasturtium ×sterile as well as four areas of its occurrence in Poland. One of these areas was probably mistakenly identified near Cracow in 1916, but the other three still exist and are located in the geographical region of Wielkopolska (18 localities). Fruit-bearing specimens were found in two localities (Kłębowo and Biała). In the other localities only barren specimens were found, which were identified using flow cytometry. Further research on N. ×sterile is necessary to verify whether it has similar functional and therapeutic properties as one of its parent species.
Analiza monitoringu uszkodzeń kukurydzy powodowanych przez omacnicę prosowiankę (Ostrinia nubilalis Hbn.) w Polsce w latach 2006-2016
The increasing acreage of maize crops requires continuous monitoring and the search for new solutions to control pests. Damage monitoring was carried out annually (2006–2016), which made it possible to determine changes in the intensity of occurrence from year to year, as well as its spatial differentiation in the provinces. The greatest damage caused by the feeding of the European corn borer in the analysed period occurred in the southern part of Poland, mainly in the Opolskie and Podkarpackie Voivodeships. On the other hand, the years with the highest activity of the pest was recorded in the 2006 and 2007. Damage caused by the European corn borer feeding was compared with the mean annual air temperature and mean annual precipitation. The high optimum temperature favoured faster development of the pest. In contrast, local flooding or drought in the middle of the growing season hindered maize growth, resulting in reduced activity of the pest risk.
THC-Reduced Cannabis sativa L.—How Does the Solvent Determine the Bioavailability of Cannabinoids Given Orally?
The bioavailability levels of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) determine their pharmacological effects. Therefore, for medical purposes, it is essential to obtain extracts containing the lowest possible content of the psychogenic component THC. In our extract, the CBD/THC ratio was 16:1, which is a high level compared to available medical preparations, where it is, on average, 1:1. This study assessed the bioavailability and stability of CBD and THC derived from Cannabis sativa L. with reduced THC content. The extract was orally administered (30 mg/kg) in two solvents, Rapae oleum and Cremophor, to forty-eight Wistar rats. The whole-blood and brain concentrations of CBD and THC were measured using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry detection. Much higher concentrations of CBD than THC were observed for both solvents in the whole-blood and brain after oral administration of the Cannabis sativa extract with a decreased THC content. The total bioavailability of both CBD and THC was higher for Rapae oleum compared to Cremophor. Some of the CBD was converted into THC in the body, which should be considered when using Cannabis sativa for medical purposes. The THC-reduced hemp extract in this study is a promising candidate for medical applications.
Does the Reaction of Inflorescences and Flowers of the Invasive Prunus serotina Ehrh. to Various Herbicides Give Hope for Elimination of This Species from Polish Forests?
Assessment of the accuracy of selected models used to estimate the heritability coefficient in a cattle population
Deletion of the Homocysteine Thiolactone Detoxifying Enzyme Bleomycin Hydrolase, in Mice, Causes Memory and Neurological Deficits and Worsens Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Behavioral and Biochemical Traits in the 5xFAD Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Background: Bleomycin hydrolase (BLMH), a homocysteine (Hcy)-thiolactone detoxifying enzyme, is attenuated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brains. Blmh loss causes astrogliosis in mice while the loss of histone demethylase Phf8, which controls mTOR signaling, causes neuropathy in mice and humans. Objective: To examine how Blmh gene deletion affects the Phf8/H4K20me1/mTOR/autophagy pathway, amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation, and cognitive/neuromotor performance in mice. Methods: We generated a new mouse model of AD, the Blmh-/-5xFAD mouse. Behavioral assessments were conducted by cognitive/neuromotor testing. Blmh and Phf8 genes were silenced in mouse neuroblastoma N2a-APPswe cells by RNA interference. mTOR- and autophagy-related proteins, and AβPP were quantified by western blotting and the corresponding mRNAs by RT-qPCR. Aβ was quantified by western blotting (brains) and by confocal microscopy (cells). Results: Behavioral testing showed cognitive/neuromotor deficits in Blmh-/- and Blmh-/-5xFAD mice. Phf8 was transcriptionally downregulated in Blmh-/- and Blmh-/-5xFAD brains. H4K20me1, mTOR, phospho-mTOR, and AβPP were upregulated while autophagy markers Becn1, Atg5, and Atg7 were downregulated in Blmh-/- and Blmh-/-5xFAD brains. Aβ was elevated in Blmh-/-5xFAD brains. These biochemical changes were recapitulated in Blmh-silenced N2a-APPswe cells, which also showed increased H4K20me1-mTOR promoter binding and impaired autophagy flux (Lc3-I, Lc3-II, p62). Phf8-silencing or treatments with Hcy-thiolactone or N-Hcy-protein, metabolites elevated in Blmh-/- mice, induced biochemical changes in N2a-APPswe cells like those induced by the Blmh-silencing. However, Phf8-silencing elevated Aβ without affecting AβPP. Conclusions: Our findings show that Blmh interacts with AβPP and the Phf8/H4K20me1/mTOR/autophagy pathway, and that disruption of those interactions causes Aβ accumulation and cognitive/neuromotor deficits.
Effect of the Climatic Conditions in Central Europe on the Growth and Yield of Cornelian Cherry Cultivars
Fruit of Cornelian cherry can be used fresh or processed, and cultivation practices are developing in this direction. Due to the rarity of its cultivation, Cornelian cherry is harvested from natural sites of occurrence. However, the fruit from natural sites is of lower quality than the cultivars, as their seedlings differ in terms of fruit ripening. The objective of this experiment was the evaluation of approximately a dozen cultivars in terms of growth and fruit yield under the conditions of Central Europe. The effect of climatic conditions on the onset date of particular phenological stages was also assessed. All the analysed cultivars are suitable commodity crops, but they should be accurately selected depending on the direction of production. The first phenological stage of Cornelian cherry is the appearance of inflorescences before the development of leaves. The start of particular phenophases depends on the temperature and precipitation. Cornelian cherries cultivated under ecological conditions show satisfactory fruit size and generally a small percentage of stone. Most cultivars have an elongated fruit shape, and the shape factor decreases with their growth and ripening. The fruit grows along a double sigmoid, and its first intensive growth occurs following the extinction of intensive shoot growth.
