The Interplay of Nitric Oxide and Nitrosative Modifications in Maize: Implications for Aphid Herbivory and Drought Stress.

Nitric oxide (NO) and other reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are considered to be signaling molecules in higher plants involved in the regulation of growth and development processes. However, the molecular mechanisms of their formation, removal, and participation in plant responses to adverse environmental stimuli remain largely unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the influence of selected single stresses and combined stresses (i.

New Insights into Involvement of Low Molecular Weight Proteins in Complex Defense Mechanisms in Higher Plants.

Dynamic climate changes pose a significant challenge for plants to cope with numerous abiotic and biotic stressors of increasing intensity. Plants have evolved a variety of biochemical and molecular defense mechanisms involved in overcoming stressful conditions. Under environmental stress, plants generate elevated amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and, subsequently, modulate the activity of the antioxidative enzymes.

The Effect of Essential Oils from Asteraceae Plants on Behavior and Selected Physiological Parameters of the Bird Cherry-Oat Aphid.

Essential oils (EOs), including those from the Asteraceae plants, have been shown to have promising insecticidal activity against a wide range of insect pests. Understanding the mechanism of action of EOs is one of the studied aspects. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of essential oils from , , and on the settling and probing behavior of the bird cherry-oat aphid ( L.

Differences in Oxidative Stress Markers and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Black Bean Aphid Morphs ( Scop.) Fed on the Primary Host L.

Changes in the level of oxidative stress markers-superoxide anion radical (O2-), hydrogen peroxide (HO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of antioxidant enzymes-superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in the black bean aphid occurring on the primary host (viburnum plants) were studied. Among the aphid morphs, the lowest contents of O2-, HO and MDA were noted for winged adults (), which were also characterized by the highest activity of antioxidant enzymes. These metabolic features indicate the adaptation of winged morphs to the colonization of new host plants.

The Variation of Selected Physiological Parameters in Elm Leaves ( Huds.) Infested by Gall Inducing Aphids.

Three aphid species, (L.), (Koch) and (L.) induce distinct gall morphotypes on Huds.

Expression of Thioredoxin/Thioredoxin Reductase System Genes in Aphid-Challenged Maize Seedlings.

Thioredoxins (Trxs) and thioredoxin reductases (TrxRs) encompass a highly complex network involved in sustaining thiol-based redox homeostasis in plant tissues. The purpose of the study was to gain a new insight into transcriptional reprogramming of the several genes involved in functioning of Trx/TrxR system in maize ( L.) seedlings, exposed to the bird cherry-oat aphid ( L.

Effect of manuka honey on biofilm-associated genes expression during methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are among the most important biofilm-forming pathogens responsible for hard-to-treat infections. Looking for alternatives to antibiotics that prevent biofilm formation, we investigated the effects of manuka honey on the transcriptional profile of genes essential for staphylococcal biofilm formation using qRT-PCR. mRNA from two hospital MRSA strains (strong and weak biofilm producer) were isolated after 4, 8, 12 and 24 h from cells grown in biofilm.

Effect of -Cinnamaldehyde on Methicillin-Resistant Biofilm Formation: Metabolic Activity Assessment and Analysis of the Biofilm-Associated Genes Expression.

The effects of -cinnamaldehyde (TC) on transcriptional profiles of biofilm-associated genes and the metabolic activity of two methicillin-resistant (MRSA) strains showing a different degree of adherence to polystyrene, were evaluated. Metabolic activity of in biofilm was significantly decreased in the presence of TC at 1/2 minimum biofilm inhibition concentration (MBIC). Expression levels of the genes encoding laminin binding protein (), elastin binding protein () and fibrinogen binding protein () in the presence of TC at 1/2 MBIC were lower than in untreated biofilm in both the weakly and strongly adhering strain.

Changes in the content of thiol compounds and the activity of glutathione s-transferase in maize seedlings in response to a rose-grass aphid infestation.

The rose-grass aphid (Methopolophium dirhodum Walk.) is a major pest of maize (Zea mays L.), but little is known about the biochemical interactions between M.

Aphid-Triggered Changes in Oxidative Damage Markers of Nucleic Acids, Proteins, and Lipids in Maize ( L.) Seedlings.

Prior experiments illustrated reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction in maize plants infested with bird-cherry-oat ( L.) aphids. However, there is no available data unveiling the impact of aphids feeding on oxidative damages of crucial macromolecules in maize tissues.

The role of particular ticks developmental stages in the circulation of tick-borne pathogens in Central Europe. 6. Babesia.

In the Central European conditions, three species of Babesia have epidemiological significance as human pathogens – Babesia divergens, B. microti and B. venatorum.

Transcriptional profiling of catalase genes in juglone-treated seeds of maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

The major aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of juglone (JU; 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) treatments on the expression level of Cat1, Cat2 and Cat3 genes, encoding the respective catalase isozymes in maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds.

Expression of the Biofilm-Associated Genes in Methicillin-Resistant in Biofilm and Planktonic Conditions.

The role of genes that are essential for development of biofilm during infection is not fully known. mRNA from two methicillin-resistant strains that formed weak and strong biofilm on polystyrene plates were isolated at five time points from cells grown in biofilm and planktonic culture. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that the expression levels of investigated genes under biofilm conditions were significantly higher than under planktonic conditions.

The role of particular ticks developmental stages in the circulation of tick-borne pathogens in Central Europe. 5. Borreliaceae.

The developmental cycles of all B. burgdorferi s.l.

Role of phenolic compounds during antioxidative responses of winter triticale to aphid and beetle attack.

One of the earliest responses of plants to insects' attack is generation of reactive oxygen species. However, the elevated level of ROS can elicit oxidative burst within plant tissues, and plants employ antioxidant systems against these radicals. Due to their chemical structures, polyphenols are able to diminish the level of ROS.

The role of particular ticks developmental stages in the circulation of tick-borne pathogens in Central Europe. 4. Anaplasmataceae.

In Central European conditions, two species of Anaplasmataceae have epidemiological significance – Candidatus Neoehrlichia micurensis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Tick Ixodes ricinus is considered as their main vector, wild mammals as the animal reservoir. There is presented the transstadial transmission in ticks, due to the lack of transovarial mode the circulation goes mainly between immature ticks and hosts; pathogen circulates primarily in the cycle: infected rodent → the tick larva → the nymph → the mammal reservoir → the larva of the tick.

Deciphering the role of NADPH oxidase in complex interactions between maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes and cereal aphids.

Plant NADPH oxidases (NOXs) encompass a group of membrane-bound enzymes participating in formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under physiological conditions as well as in response to environmental stressors. The purpose of the survey was to unveil the role of NADPH oxidase in pro-oxidative responses of maize (Zea mays L.) seedling leaves exposed to cereal aphids' infestation.

Expression Patterns of Genes Involved in Ascorbate-Glutathione Cycle in Aphid-Infested Maize (Zea mays L.) Seedlings.

Reduced forms of ascorbate (AsA) and glutathione (GSH) are among the most important non-enzymatic foliar antioxidants in maize (Zea mays L.). The survey was aimed to evaluate impact of bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.

Influence of selected plant amines on probing behaviour of bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.).

The study aimed to quantify the influence of common plant polyamines and tyramine on probing behaviour in the bird cherry-oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi L.). Electrical penetration graphs (DC) were used to monitor the probing and feeding behaviour of R.

The role of particular tick developmental stages in the circulation of tick-borne pathogens affecting humans in Central Europe. 1. The general pattern.

Tick-borne pathogens are common in the natural environment, but their occurrence has a focal character. They occur in the natural environment in the form of the enzootic sources of infection. The general components include the animal reservoir, amplifiers and the efficient vector.

Coexistence of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. genospecies within Ixodes ricinus ticks from central and eastern Poland.

The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence and coinfection rates of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato genotypes in Ixodes ricinus (L.) ticks sampled from diverse localities in central and eastern regions of Poland. In years 2009-2011, questing nymphs and adults of I.

The infection of reintroduced ruminants - Bison bonasus and Alces alces - with Anaplasma phagocytophilum in northern Poland.

The north-eastern part of Poland is considered an area of high risk for infection with tick-borne diseases, including with human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) agents. The etiological agent of HGE is Anaplasma phagocytophilum. As the animal reservoir for A.

Methyl jasmonate stimulates biosynthesis of 2-phenylethylamine, phenylacetic acid and 2-phenylethanol in seedlings of common buckwheat.

Methyl jasmonate has a strong effect on secondary metabolizm in plants, by stimulating the biosynthesis a number of phenolic compounds and alkaloids. Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) is an important source of biologically active compounds. This research focuses on the detection and quantification of 2-phenylethylamine and its possible metabolites in the cotyledons, hypocotyl and roots of common buckwheat seedlings treated with methyl jasmonate.