Preparation of equine isolated hepatocytes.

In this study a detailed description of the equine hepatocyte isolation procedure is presented. Livers were obtained from horses slaughtered at the local slaughterhouse. For blood removal and liver preservation the following steps are suggested: perfusion with the oxygenated HBSS (0-2 degrees C, with continuous flow of 500-800 ml/min for 3-6 min), protection from ischemia injury by flushing with ice-cold University of Wisconsin Solution (UW, flow rate of 500-800 ml/min), and finally immersion of the liver lobe in UW solution (2 degrees C) during its transport to the laboratory.

Delineation of signalling pathway leading to antioxidant-dependent inhibition of dexamethasone-mediated muscle cell death.

The molecular mechanism of the cell death-promoting effect of dexamethasone (Dex) was studied during myogenesis (10 days) in L6 muscle cells by making use of several indices such as cell viability (protein synthesis, mitochondrial respiration), mortality (DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation, structural modifications) and immunocytochemical studies [hydrogen peroxide, m-calpain (calpain 2)]. Dex initially (2 nM) stimulated protein synthesis (P < 0.001), but a further increase (20 nM) did not stimulate, whereas a higher dose (200 nM) inhibited formation of cellular proteins (P < 0.

Apple and pear peel and pulp and their influence on plasma lipids and antioxidant potentials in rats fed cholesterol-containing diets.

The aim of this study was to assess the bioactive compounds of apple and pear peel and pulp in vitro and their influence on plasma lipids and antioxidant potentials in vivo. The antioxidant potentials measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), beta-carotene bleaching (beta-carotene), and nitric oxide inhibition radical scavenging (NO) tests in apple peel and pulp were significantly higher than in pear peel and pulp, respectively. The ethanol extract of apple peels showed the strongest inhibition of lipid peroxidation as a function of its concentration and was comparable to the antioxidant activity of butylated hydroxyanisole.

Effect of different olive oils on bile excretion in rats fed cholesterol-containing and cholesterol-free diets.

The mechanism of the hypocholesterolemic effect of olive oils was investigated in 60 Wistar rats adapted to cholesterol-containing and cholesterol-free diets. The rats were divided in six diet groups of 10. The control group was fed only basal diet (BD), which contained wheat starch, casein, cellulose, and mineral and vitamin mixtures.

A new double-chamber model of ion channels. Beyond the Hodgkin and Huxley model.

This paper proposes a new double-chamber model (DCM) of ion channels. The model ion channel consists of a series of three pores alternating with two chambers. The chambers are net negatively charged.

Co-localization of apoptosis-regulating proteins in mouse mammary epithelial HC11 cells exposed to TGF-beta1.

TGF-beta1 is an apoptogenic agent for mammary epithelial cells (MEC). The molecular mechanism of the TGF-beta1-induced apoptosis remains, however, obscure. In the present study we used laser scanning cytometry, confocal microscopy and immunogold electron microscopy to analyze the expression, aggregation and co-localization of caspase-8, Bid, Bax and VDAC-1.

The isolation of cDNA clones from cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) floral buds coming from plants differing in sex.

In this study, we found flower cDNA clones which may be connected with the development of flower sex in cucumber. Two pairs of nearly-isogenic lines: gynoecious GY3 (FFMMGG) versus hermaphrodite HGY3 (FFmmGG) and monoecious B10 (ffMMGG) versus gynoecious 2gg (ffMMgg) were used for clone isolation. To obtain differentially-expressed clones, we applied the differential screening method.

AFLP marker polymorphism in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) near isogenic lines differing in sex expression.

The AFLP technique was used to evaluate the level of polymorphism between two pairs of isogenic cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) lines (NIL) differing in flower sex expression. The BSA techniques were also applied to find molecular markers linked to sex determination genes (dominant alleles) in those cucumber lines.

The dynamics of exchangeable cations in the environment of soils at Kampinoski National Park.

A set of physico-chemical properties of soils: soil pH, hydrolytic acidity, alkaline exchangeable cations, cation exchangeable capacity (CEC), and base saturation were studied in six-year long investigations of ecto-humus (organic layer) and endo-humus (Ah horizon) horizons of forest soils at the Kampinoski National Park in Poland. The soil properties determined in the present study showed differentiated values, depending on the actual horizon, the type and degree of soil development advancement, the genesis of the soil parent material (bedrock) as well as on the development of plant community prevailing in given site.

Antiproliferative and apoptotic effect of TGF-beta 1 in bovine mammary epithelial BME-UV1 cells.

Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta(1)) is regarded as an important auto/paracrine regulator of mammary gland involution, however, its apoptotic effect and inhibition of growth in bovine mammary epithelial cells (MEC) has not been documented. In the present study, laser scanning cytometry, confocal and immunoelectron microscopy techniques were used for quantitative and qualitative analyzes of apoptosis, cell cycle and expression, subcellular redistribution and interactions of apoptosis-related proteins in bovine BME-UV1 MEC exposed to TGF-beta(1). TGF-beta(1) exerted both antiproliferative and apoptotic action.

Justification for antioxidant preconditioning (or how to protect insulin-mediated actions under oxidative stress).

Insulin resistance is characterized by impaired glucose utilization in the peripheral tissues, accelerated muscle protein degradation, impaired antioxidant defences and extensive cell death. Apparently, both insulin and IGF-1 at physiological concentrations support cell survival by phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase-dependent and independent mechanisms. Postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia are found in insulin resistance, which accompanies the so-called noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus (diabetes type 2).

Ability of Pseudomonas sp. to synthesize aminopeptidases in the presence of various carbon and nitrogen sources.

A soil strain of Pseudomonas sp. is able to synthesize at least two aminopeptidases exhibiting high activity in the presence of Phe-beta-NA and Ala-beta-NA as substrates. Irrespective of the used substrate, total activity of studied enzymes was strongly related to concentrations of organic components (peptone, glutamic acid, glucose) in mineral media and was the higher, the higher the concentration.

Comparative content of some bioactive compounds in apples, peaches and pears and their influence on lipids and antioxidant capacity in rats.

The aim of this study was to compare some bioactive compounds in apples, peaches and pears and their influence on lipids and antioxidant capacity in rats. The content of total polyphenols (g/100g) was 0.23 +/- 0.

Bioactive substances of plant origin in food--impact on genomics.

In the past decade, substantial progress has been made concerning our knowledge of bioactive components in plant foods and their links to health. Human diets of plant origin contain many hundreds of compounds which cannot be considered as nutrients, but appear to play a role in the maintenance of health. These substances are called nutraceuticals.

Role of transition metals ion and reactive oxygen species in biological oxidation in cattle (part 1).

Technological advances in last decades of XX centuries were well utilised in the studies of biological oxidation processes. Biological oxidation can lead to the oxidative stress and subsequently to the cell damage of animal organisms leading to many diseases. Free radical processes taking place in cattle under pathological conditions.

Antioxidant parameters of horses according to age, sex, breed and environment.

Antioxidant defences interact to form an integrated system. There is no comprehensive and uniform view on issues concerning the antioxidant status in horses. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to estimate antioxidant parameters in horses of different age, sex and breed as well as environment and relationship between different antioxidants.

The role of cell wall in plant embryogenesis.

This review presents recent data about cell wall involvement in plant embryogenesis. During plant development, the cell wall is subjected to precise regulation. During this process a bidirectional information exchange between the cell wall and the protoplast is observed.

The effects of growth regulators on somaclonal variation in rye (Secale cereale L.) and selection of somaclonal variants with increased agronomic traits.

The aim of this research was to characterize somaclonal variation in populations derived from embryos cultured on two types of induction medium (supplemented with either 2,4-D or dicamba), as well as to select and characterize several somaclonal lines. The sexual progenies of 40 R(0)regenerants - A somaclones (derived on the medium with 2,4-D) and B somaclones (derived on the medium with dicamba) - were analysed according to the following traits: plant height, total number of tillers, number of productive tillers, spike length, number of spikelets per spike, spike compactness, number of normally developed grains per spike, weight of grains per spike, and the weight of 1000 grains. The results for twenty-two R(1)plants surpassed the variability range for the control.

Natural distemper in vaccinated and unvaccinated dogs in Warsaw.

Two hundred and twenty-four dogs with clinical signs of distemper were examined for the presence of canine distemper virus (CDV) in mucous membranes by direct immunofluorescence assay. The study showed that 22% of the animals were CDV-positive. Most (33/50; 66%) of the infected dogs had never been vaccinated against distemper, whereas only 11 of 50 (22%) CDV-positive animals were immunized at least once.

Immunohistochemical analysis of bFGF, TGF-beta1 and catalase in rectus abdominis muscle from cattle foetuses at 180 and 260 days post-conception.

The potential for muscle growth depends on myoblast proliferation, which occurs essentially during the first two thirds of the foetal period in cattle. Thereafter, myofibres acquire their contractile and metabolic properties. Proliferation is regulated by molecular growth factors and by the tissue oxidative activity.

Colocalization of BAX with BID and VDAC-1 in nimesulide-induced apoptosis of human colon adenocarcinoma COLO 205 cells.

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors that belong to non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug family have been shown to have an apoptosis-inducing effect on neoplastic cells. In the present study the effect of nimesulide (NIM), a specific COX-2 inhibitor, on apoptosis and interactions between BCL-2 family death promoters BAX and BID and BAX and VDAC-1 were examined in human colon adenocarcinoma COLO 205 cells. Laser scanning cytometry was applied for the measurement of expression and aggregation of apoptosis-related proteins and quantitative analysis of NIM-induced apoptosis.

Dexamethasone-mediated regulation of death and differentiation of muscle cells. Is hydrogen peroxide involved in the process?

The hypothetical involvement of H2O2 in dexamethasone-mediated regulation of muscle cell differentiation and elimination was studied. Rat L6 myoblasts and mouse C2C12 satellite cells were chosen for acute (24 h) and chronic (5 or 10 day) experiments. Mitogenicity and anabolism were both affected by H2O2.

Alternative methods of plant transformation--a short review.

Several methods of transformation are currently available for delivering exogenous DNA to plant cells. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, microprojectile bombardment and direct protoplast transformation are routinely used today. However, each of them has certain disadvantages, which led to research into the development of novel alternative systems such as infiltration, electroporation of cells and tissues, electrophoresis of embryos, microinjection, pollen-tube pathway, silicon carbide- and liposome-mediated transformation.

The use of molecular markers in apple breeding for disease resistance.

Molecular markers have become a useful tool simplifying and speeding up breeding work. They are also helpful in the genetic analysis of complex agronomic traits. The investigations concern the use of already available SCAR markers for molecular analysis of breeding materials.

Epididymal cysts in European bison.

We describe gross and histopathology of cysts found in the epididymis of the European bison (Bison bonasus). The material was collected from 107, 3 mo to 20 yr old, free-ranging, culled males from the Białowieza Primeval Forest (Poland). Epididymal cysts were observed in 65 (61%) of bison of varying ages.