Mouse Pxt1 expression is regulated by Mir6996 miRNA.

Mouse Pxt1 gene is expressed exclusively in male germ cells and encodes for a small, cell death inducing protein. However, upon PXT1 interaction with BAG6, cell death is prevented. In transiently transfected cell lines the PXT1 expression triggered massive cell death, thus we ask the question whether the interaction of PXT1 and BAG6 is the only mechanism preventing normal, developing male germ cells from being killed by PXT1.

Vascular plant and cryptogam abundance as well as soil chemical properties shape microbial communities in the successional gradient of glacier foreland soils.

In the glacier forelands, microbes play a fundamental role in soil development and shaping the vegetation structure. Such ecosystems represent various stages of soil development and are, therefore, an excellent place to study the interrelationship between soil, plants, and microorganisms. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of vegetation and soil physicochemical properties developing after glacier retreat on soil microbial communities.

Ecophysiological Parameters of Medicinal Plant in Diverse Habitat Conditions.

This study attempts to determine which of the habitats occupied by creates better conditions for its growth and development. Selected physiological parameters-PSII activity, chlorophyll content, electrolyte leakage, hydrogen peroxide content as well as biomass, the occurrence of mycorrhiza, and soil characteristics-were investigated. Grassland soils had a higher content of macronutrients and a lower concentration of heavy metals.

The Influence of Surgical Correction of Idiopathic Scoliosis on the Function of Respiratory Muscles.

Background and objective: It is important to introduce respiratory exercises to the therapy of patients after the surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Surgical correction is the best way to prevent hypoxia in scoliosis, but whether pulmonary rehabilitation increases the effectiveness of scoliosis surgery has not yet been confirmed. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the function of respiratory muscles after surgical correction of idiopathic scoliosis.

Slight dependence of temperate-forest herbaceous plants, Geum urbanum and Senecio ovatus, on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enables them to colonise soils with a low level of AMF abundance.

While numerous studies have revealed that arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enhance plant performance, the influence of these symbionts on temperate-forest herbaceous species in relation to soil physical and chemical properties has been left largely unexplored. Therefore, two perennial herbs, Geum urbanum (Rosaceae) and Senecio ovatus (Asteraceae), were examined in a laboratory pot experiment to determine whether AMF influenced their growth, photosynthetic performance index, and N and P contents in biomass. The treatments, involving three widespread AMF species, were prepared in the soils of two habitats colonised by both plants, namely beech and riparian forests, as follows: (1) control-soils without AMF, (2) Claroideoglomus claroideum, (3) Funneliformis geosporus, and (4) Funneliformis mosseae.