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BackgroundAdvanced glycation end products (AGEs) are heterogenous group of irreversible chemical moieties originated from non-enzymatic glycation and oxidation of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. The engagement of AGEs with their chief cellular receptor (RAGE) activates a myriad of signaling pathways contributing to the progression of chronic diseases like autoimmune thyroiditis, type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications. Soluble RAGE (sRAGE) prevents AGE-RAGE interaction in a competitive manner.ObjectiveWe investigated the association between serum AGE, sRAGE and thyroid function in 73 Hashimoto thyroiditis patients (HT) on levothyroxine substitution, and in 83 age, BMI and gender-matched healthy controls.MethodsThe serum AGEs levels were determined by autofluorescence on a multi-mode microplate reader, and the serum sRAGE levels by ELISA method.ResultsMean AGE level was lower (10.71 vs 11.45 AU/µg protein; p=0.046), while mean sRAGE level was higher (923 vs 755 pg/mL; pConclusionAccording to our results in HT patients lower TSH and higher fT3 levels within the reference range is accompanied by a favorable AGE/RAGE balance. Further investigations are needed to confirm these results.

To safeguard bread wheat against pests and diseases, breeders have introduced over 200 resistance genes into its genome, thus nearly doubling the number of designated resistance genes in the wheat gene pool1. Isolating these genes facilitates their fast-tracking in breeding programs and incorporation into polygene stacks for more durable resistance. We cloned the stem rust resistance gene Sr43, which was crossed into bread wheat from the wild grass Thinopyrum elongatum2,3. Sr43 encodes an active protein kinase fused to two domains of unknown function. The gene, which is unique to the Triticeae, appears to have arisen through a gene fusion event 6.7 to 11.6 million years ago. Transgenic expression of Sr43 in wheat conferred high levels of resistance to a wide range of isolates of the pathogen causing stem rust, highlighting the potential value of Sr43 in resistance breeding and engineering.

The introgression of chromosome segments from wild relatives is an established strategy to enrich crop germplasm with disease-resistance genes1. Here we use mutagenesis and transcriptome sequencing to clone the leaf rust resistance gene Lr9, which was introduced into bread wheat from the wild grass species Aegilops umbellulata2. We established that Lr9 encodes an unusual tandem kinase fusion protein. Long-read sequencing of a wheat Lr9 introgression line and the putative Ae. umbellulata Lr9 donor enabled us to assemble the ~28.4-Mb Lr9 translocation and to identify the translocation breakpoint. We likewise cloned Lr58, which was reportedly introgressed from Aegilopstriuncialis3, but has an identical coding sequence compared to Lr9. Cytogenetic and haplotype analyses corroborate that the two genes originate from the same translocation event. Our work sheds light on the emerging role of kinase fusion proteins in wheat disease resistance, expanding the repertoire of disease-resistance genes for breeding.

Tiller number is a key component of plant architecture with direct effect on grain yield of wheat. Interspecific hybridization using wild relative species are promising approach for increasing wheat genetic diversity, including yield potential. Agropyron glael, a perennial hybrid of Thinopyrum intermedium and Th. ponticum has five subgenomes (J, Jst, Jvs, Jr, and St), making A. glael an important gene source for transferring useful agronomical traits into wheat. This work reports on development of a wheat-A. glael translocation line WT153397. Sequential in situ hybridizations with J-, St-, and D-genomic DNA probes and pSc119.2, Afa family, pTa71, and (GAA)7 DNA repeats, as well as an analysis using molecular markers specific for the wheat 6D chromosome, revealed the presence of a 6DS.6Jvs centric fusion in the translocation line. Field trials in low-input and high-input breeding nurseries over three growing seasons demonstrated high compensating ability of the Agropyron chromosome arm for the missing 6DL as spike morphology and fertility of WT153397 did not differ significantly from those of wheat parents. Moreover, the introgressed 6Jvs chromosome arm significantly increased the number of productive tillers, which manifested in the significantly higher grain yield potential relative to the parental wheat cultivars. The translocated chromosome could be flow-sorted in high purity providing an opportunity to employ chromosome genomics to identify Agropyron gene variant(s) responsible for the tillering capacity. The translocation line WT153397 represents an important genetic stock for functional genetic studies of tiller formation and useful breeding material to increase wheat yield potential.

As noted, Transcarpathia is an administrative-territorial unit created in historical Hungary in 1919, consisting of Uzhan, Berez, Ugochan, and Maramoros counties. In the first half of the 20th century, it was part of several states: in 1919, it became part of Czechoslovakia; in 1938–1939, it returned to Hungary, and in the fall of 1944, after the Soviet occupation, it was incorporated by the Soviet Union. The authors investigated that frequent changes of power due to the peripherality of the region took place without considering the local population's opinion – as a result of the political decisions of the great states, so Transcarpathians always had to adapt to new political systems. Among the historical twists of fate for the residents, joining the Soviet Union had the most tragic consequences: until 1944, the region was a part of Central Europe, in particular the Carpathian Basin, in the social, economic, and cultural sense, but after, it became part of a dictatorial empire based on a class approach and social injustice. It was analyzed and concluded that the incorporation of Transcarpathia, with a total area of 20,000 km2, was of geostrategic importance for the Soviet authorities since, due to its geographical location, it bordered several states that were part of the Soviet bloc, and railway routes ran through it, which simplified the logistics of the USSR with them. The incorporation of the region by the Soviet Union was not legitimate at all, but the almighty Soviet leader Stalin, who influenced the politics of states in this part of Europe, made sure to maintain the appearance of legitimacy during the occupation and subsequent annexation. As a result of the political regime change, a new administrative system was implemented, the names of settlements were revised, and the ethnic composition of the region also changed. As an undoubted fact stated that for various ethnic groups living in Transcarpathia, the Soviet annexation brought a series of individual and mass tragedies, as the change of power meant not only the onset of lawlessness but also ethnic cleansing and physical destruction for tens of thousands of people.

Studying the effect of coupling and forcing of oscillators is a significant area of interest within nonlinear dynamics and has provided evidence of many interesting phenomena, such as synchronization, beating, oscillatory death, and phase resetting. Many studies have also reported along this line in reaction–diffusion systems, which are preferably explored experimentally by using open reactors. These reactors consist of one or two homogeneous (well-stirred) tanks, which provide the boundary conditions for a spatially distributed part. The spatiotemporal dynamics of this configuration in the presence of temporal oscillations in the homogeneous part has not been systematically investigated. This paper aims to explore numerically the effect of time-periodic boundary conditions on the dynamics of open reactors provided by autonomous and forced oscillations in the well-stirred part. A simple model of pH oscillators can produce various phenomena under these conditions, for example, superposition and modulation of spatiotemporal oscillations and forced bursting. The autonomous oscillatory boundary conditions can be generated by the same kinetic instabilities that result in spatiotemporal oscillations in the spatially distributed part. The forced oscillations are induced by sinusoidal modulation on the inflow concentration of the activator in the tank. The simulations confirmed that this type of forcing is more effective when the modulation period is longer than the residence time of the well-stirred part. The use of time-periodic boundary conditions may open a new perspective in the control and design of spatiotemporal phenomena in open one-side-fed and two-side-fed reactors.

Semidwarfing genes have greatly increased wheat yields globally, yet the widely used gibberellin (GA)-insensitive genes

Plant nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat immune receptors (NLRs) directly or indirectly recognize pathogen-secreted effector molecules to initiate plant defense. Recognition of multiple pathogens by a single NLR is rare and usually occurs via monitoring for changes to host proteins; few characterized NLRs have been shown to recognize multiple effectors. The barley NLRMlahas undergone functional diversification andMlaalleles recognize host-adapted isolates of barley powdery mildew (Blumeria graminisf. sp.hordei; Bgh). Here, we show thatMla3also confers resistance to rice blast (Magnaporthe oryzae) in a dosage dependent manner. Using a forward genetic screen, we discovered that the recognized effector fromM. oryzaeisPWL2, a host range determinant factor that preventsM. oryzaefrom infecting weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula).Mla3has therefore convergently evolved the capacity to recognize effectors from diverse pathogens.

Gene cloning in repeat-rich polyploid genomes remains challenging. Here we describe a strategy for overcoming major bottlenecks in the cloning of the powdery mildew (Pm) resistance gene (R-gene)Pm69derived from tetraploid wild emmer wheat (WEW). A conventional positional cloning approach encountered suppressed recombination due to structural variations, while chromosome sorting yielded an insufficient purity level. APm69physical map, constructed by assembling ONT long-read genome sequences, revealed a rapidly evolving nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) R-gene cluster. A single candidate NLR was identified within this cluster by anchoring RNASeq reads of susceptible mutants to ONT contigs and was validated by the virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) approach.Pm69, comprising Rx_N with RanGAP interaction sites, NB-ARC, and LRR domains, is probably a newly evolved NLR discovered only in one location across the WEW distribution range in the Fertile Crescent.Pm69was successfully introgressed into durum and bread wheat, and a diagnostic molecular marker could be used to accelerate its deployment and pyramiding with other resistance genes.

Breeding of wheat adapted to new climatic conditions and resistant to diseases and pests is hindered by a limited gene pool due to domestication and thousands of years of human selection. Annual goatgrasses (Aegilops spp.) with M and U genomes are potential sources of the missing genes and alleles. Development of alien introgression lines of wheat may be facilitated by the knowledge of DNA sequences of Aegilops chromosomes. As the Aegilops genomes are complex, sequencing relevant Aegilops chromosomes purified by flow cytometric sorting offers an attractive route forward. The present study extends the potential of chromosome genomics to allotetraploid Ae. biuncialis and Ae. geniculata by dissecting their M and U genomes into individual chromosomes. Hybridization of FITC-conjugated GAA oligonucleotide probe to chromosomes suspensions of the two species allowed the application of bivariate flow karyotyping and sorting some individual chromosomes. Bivariate flow karyotype FITC vs. DAPI of Ae. biuncialis consisted of nine chromosome-populations, but their chromosome content determined by microscopic analysis of flow sorted chromosomes indicated that only 7Mb and 1Ub could be sorted at high purity. In the case of Ae. geniculata, fourteen chromosome-populations were discriminated, allowing the separation of nine individual chromosomes (1Mg, 3Mg, 5Mg, 6Mg, 7Mg, 1Ug, 3Ug, 6Ug, and 7Ug) out of the 14. To sort the remaining chromosomes, a partial set of wheat-Ae. biuncialis and a whole set of wheat-Ae. geniculata chromosome addition lines were also flow karyotyped, revealing clear separation of the GAA-rich Aegilops chromosomes from the GAA-poor A- and D-genome chromosomes of wheat. All of the alien chromosomes represented by individual addition lines could be isolated at purities ranging from 74.5% to 96.6% and from 87.8% to 97.7%, respectively. Differences in flow karyotypes between Ae. biuncialis and Ae. geniculata were analyzed and discussed. Chromosome-specific genomic resources will facilitate gene cloning and the development of molecular tools to support alien introgression breeding of wheat.

Orsellinic acid (OA) derivatives are produced by filamentous fungi using nonreducing polyketide synthases (nrPKSs). The chain-releasing thioesterase (TE) domains of such nrPKSs were proposed to also catalyze dimerization to yield didepsides, such as lecanoric acid. Here, we use combinatorial domain exchanges, domain dissections and reconstitutions to reveal that the TE domain of the lecanoric acid synthase Preu6 of Preussia isomera must collaborate with the starter acyl transferase (SAT) domain from the same nrPKS. We show that artificial SAT-TE fusion proteins are highly effective catalysts and reprogram the ketide homologation chassis to form didepsides. We also demonstrate that dissected SAT and TE domains of Preu6 physically interact, and SAT and TE domains of OA-synthesizing nrPKSs may co-evolve. Our work highlights an unexpected domain–domain interaction in nrPKSs that must be considered for the combinatorial biosynthesis of unnatural didepsides, depsidones, and diphenyl ethers.

Breeding of wheat adapted to new climatic conditions and resistant to diseases and pests is hindered by a limited gene pool due to domestication and thousands of years of human selection. Annual goatgrasses (

To safeguard bread wheat against pests and diseases, breeders have introduced over 200 resistance genes into its genome, thus nearly doubling the number of designated resistance genes in the wheat gene pool. Isolating these genes facilitates their fast-tracking in breeding programs and incorporation into polygene stacks for more durable resistance. We cloned the stem rust resistance gene Sr43, which was crossed into bread wheat from the wild grass Thinopyrum elongatum. Sr43 encodes a protein kinase fused to two domains of unknown function. The gene, which is unique to the Triticeae, appears to have arisen through a gene fusion event 6.7 to 11.6 million years ago. Transgenic expression of Sr43 in wheat conferred high levels of resistance to a wide range of isolates of the pathogen causing stem rust, highlighting the potential value of Sr43 in resistance breeding and engineering.

The introgression of chromosome segments from wild relatives is an established strategy to enrich crop germplasm with novel disease resistance genes. Here, we use mutagenesis and transcriptome sequencing to clone the leaf rust resistance gene Lr9, which was introduced into bread wheat from the wild grass species Aegilops umbellulata. We establish that Lr9 encodes an unusual tandem kinase fusion protein. Long-read sequencing of a wheat Lr9 introgression line and the putative Ae. umbellulata Lr9 donor enabled us to assemble the ~28.4-Mb Lr9 translocation and to identify the translocation breakpoint. We likewise cloned Lr58, which was reportedly introgressed from Ae. triuncialis, but has an identical coding sequence compared to Lr9. Cytogenetic and haplotype analyses corroborate that the two genes originate from the same translocation event. Our work sheds light on the emerging role of kinase fusion proteins in wheat disease resistance, expanding the repertoire of disease resistance genes for breeding.

Flow cytometric analysis and sorting of plant mitotic chromosomes has been mastered by only a few laboratories worldwide. Yet, it has been contributing significantly to progress in plant genetics, including the production of genome assemblies and the cloning of important genes. The dissection of complex genomes by flow sorting into the individual chromosomes that represent small parts of the genome reduces DNA sample complexity and streamlines projects relying on molecular and genomic techniques. Whereas flow cytometric analysis, that is, chromosome classification according to fluorescence and light scatter properties, is an integral part of any chromosome sorting project, it has rarely been used on its own due to lower resolution and sensitivity as compared to other cytogenetic methods. To perform chromosome analysis and sorting, commercially available electrostatic droplet sorters are suitable. However, in order to resolve and purify chromosomes of interest the instrument must offer high resolution of optical signals as well as stability during long runs. The challenge is thus not the instrumentation, but the adequate sample preparation. The sample must be a suspension of intact mitotic metaphase chromosomes and the protocol, which includes the induction of cell cycle synchrony, accumulation of dividing cells at metaphase, and release of undamaged chromosomes, is time consuming and laborious and needs to be performed very carefully. Moreover, in addition to fluorescent staining chromosomal DNA, the protocol may include specific labelling of DNA repeats to facilitate discrimination of particular chromosomes. This review introduces the applications of chromosome sorting in plants, and discusses in detail sample preparation, chromosome analysis and sorting to achieve the highest purity in flow‐sorted fractions, and their suitability for downstream applications., Flow cytometric analysis allows high throughput classification of mitotic chromosomes according to DNA amount and quantity of some DNA repeats. Flow sorting then simplifies genome sequencing and gene cloning by dissecting genomes into the individual chromosomes and greatly reducing DNA sample complexity. Purified chromosome fractions facilitate the analysis of three‐dimensional organization of DNA in condensed chromosomes and characterization of their proteome. This review introduces the applications of chromosome sorting in plants, and discusses in detail sample preparation, chromosome analysis and sorting to achieve the highest purity in flow‐sorted fractions, and their suitability for downstream applications.

Semidwarfing genes have greatly increased wheat yields globally, yet the widely used gibberellin (GA)-insensitive genes Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b have disadvantages for seedling emergence. Use of the GA-sensitive semidwarfing gene Rht13 avoids this pleiotropic effect. Here, we show that Rht13 encodes a nucleotide-binding site/leucine-rich repeat ( NB-LRR ) gene. A point mutation in the semidwarf Rht-B13b allele autoactivates the NB-LRR gene and causes a height reduction comparable with Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b in diverse genetic backgrounds. The autoactive Rht-B13b allele leads to transcriptional up-regulation of pathogenesis-related genes including class III peroxidases associated with cell wall remodeling. Rht13 represents a new class of reduced height ( Rht ) gene, unlike other Rht genes, which encode components of the GA signaling or metabolic pathways. This discovery opens avenues to use autoactive NB-LRR genes as semidwarfing genes in a range of crop species, and to apply Rht13 in wheat breeding programs using a perfect genetic marker.

Kaposvár keleti városrészében, Kaposszentjakabon találhatóak az egykori Zselicszentjakabi bencés apátság romjai. A korábban szinte teljesen föld alatt lévő falakat az 1960-as években Nagy Emese vezetésével tárták fel. A tetszetős természeti környezetben kialakított romkert a térség egyik legszebb középkori műemléke. Különös értéket képvisel a monostor temploma, amely a helyenként 2‒2,5 méter magasan álló eredeti falaival, kőfaragványaival a 11. századi építészetünk legfontosabb emlékei közé tartozik (1‒3. kép). Ez az első ismert magán (nem királyi) alapítású monostorunk, ráadásul az alapítólevél átiratban megőrzött szövegéből értesülünk az alapítás körülményeiről, így egy korábban itt álló templomról is. Mindezek ellenére a lelőhely évtizedekig viszonylag kevés figyelmet kapott. A feltárásról csupán rövid publikációk jelentek meg, a monostor építéstörténetét és alaprajzát csak nagy vonalakban sikerült tisztázni, a korábban itt álló templomot sem azonosították. 2014-ben és 2016-ban újabb ásatásokat végeztünk, amelyek jelentősen bővítették és pontosították a korábbi ismereteinket (Molnár, 2014; 2015; 2018). Mivel a legfontosabb új eredmények a monostor alapítását megelőző időszakhoz kapcsolódnak, az alábbiakban elsősorban ezekről írok, majd röviden kitérek a monostor építéstörténetére is.

The ruins of the former Benedictine Abbey of Zselicszentjakab can be found in the eastern part of Kaposvár, in the Kaposszentjakab district. The walls, which had previously only survived almost completely under the ground surface, were excavated in the 1960s under the direction of Emese Nagy. The archaeological park created in this beautiful natural environment is one of the finest medieval monuments in the area. The monastery’s church is of particular value. With its walls that rise to 2–2.5 meters high in some places and its stone carvings, it is one of the most important monuments of 11th-century Hungarian architecture. This is Hungary’s first known privately founded (non-royal) monastery. We have also learned about the circumstances of its foundation, including the existence of a church that used to stand here from the text of a transcription of the deed of foundation. Despite all this, the site has received relatively little attention for decades. Only short publications were published about the excavation. These merely clarified the construction history and layout of the monastery in broad strokes, while the church that had previously stood here was not identified. In 2014 and 2016, we were able to perform new excavations, which significantly expanded and clarified our previous knowledge. Since the most important new results are related to the period before the foundation of the monastery, I will introduce these first, and then I will briefly discuss the history of the construction of the monastery.

Within the scope of this study I give a short account of the major scources and of the excavation led in 2019 at the Kaposvár Castle. I try to determine the building periods of the castle and its dimensions.

This study presents the archaeological fieldwork carried out by the Rippl-Rónai Museum between 2018-2019. They included plan excavations, prevention excavations and ones performed during observation. Our biggest excavations were related to the expansion of road 67 into a 2x2 lane. Dur-ing the archaeological works we discovered phenomena, cem-eteries and settlements from the Neolithic to the Early Modern Age. Prehistoric Age: Late Neolithic quadruple rondel was dis-covered in Gamás-Vadépusztai mező site No. 2. Roman Age: Sites mainly from the Late Imperial Period (3-4. centuries) are to be mentioned: Gamás-Belső tanya, Mernye-Lótilos 1 és Balatonszentgyörgy-Kenderföldek. Migration Period: Two intact male graves with weaponry were found in a Lombard cemetery fraction outside Kaposfüred. The excavations of the Zamárdi Avar Age cemetery continued, and a new 8-9. c. Avar cem-etery was discovered at Gamás. Middle Ages-Early Modern Age: Plan excavations took place in the Mediaeval Mindszent Pauline Monastery in Balatonszemes and the Premonstraten-sian Provostship in Bárdudvarnok. Excavations of churches from the Árpád Age and the Middle Ages in Iharosberény and Karád. Mementos of the fight against the Ottomans: ramparts and ditches built around the Mediaeval church in Marótpuszta. At long last, we had an opportunity for a partial exploration of the Turkish bath in central Törökkoppány. The most significant of all excavations along Route 67, among a number of Árpád Age and Mediaeval rural settlements was of a Mediaeval es-tate centre near Vadépuszta.

Grain dietary fiber content is an important health-promoting trait of bread wheat. A dominant dietary fiber component of wheat is the cell wall polysaccharide arabinoxylan and the goatgrass

Effective utilization of genetic diversity in wild relatives to improve wheat requires recombination between wheat and alien chromosomes. However, this is suppressed by the

Entomopathogenic

Monascus pigments (MPs) display many beneficial biological activities and have been widely utilized as natural food-grade colorants in the food processing industry. The presence of the mycotoxin citrinin (CIT) seriously restricts the application of MPs, but the gene regulation mechanisms governing CIT biosynthesis remain unclear. We performed a RNA-Seq-based comparative transcriptomic analysis of representative high MPs-producing Monascus purpureus strains with extremely high vs. low CIT yields. In addition, we performed qRT-PCR to detect the expression of genes related to CIT biosynthesis, confirming the reliability of the RNA-Seq data. The results revealed that there were 2518 differentially expressed genes (DEGs; 1141 downregulated and 1377 upregulated in the low CIT producer strain). Many upregulated DEGs were associated with energy metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism, with these changes potentially making more biosynthetic precursors available for MPs biosynthesis. Several potentially interesting genes that encode transcription factors were also identified amongst the DEGs. The transcriptomic results also showed that citB, citD, citE, citC and perhaps MpigI were key candidate genes to limit CIT biosynthesis. Our studies provide useful information on metabolic adaptations to MPs and CIT biosynthesis in M. purpureus, and provide targets for the fermentation industry towards the engineering of safer MPs production.

The wild relatives and progenitors of wheat have been widely used as sources of disease resistance (R) genes. Molecular identification and characterization of these R genes facilitates their manipulation and tracking in breeding programmes. We developed a reference-quality genome assembly of the wild diploid wheat relative Aegilops sharonensis and used positional mapping, mutagenesis, RNA-Seq and transgenesis to identify the stem rust resistance gene Sr62, which was also transferred to common wheat. This gene encodes a tandem kinase, homologues of which exist across multiple taxa in the plant kingdom. Stable Sr62 transgenic wheat lines showed high levels of resistance against diverse isolates of the stem rust pathogen, highlighting the utility of Sr62 for deployment as part of a polygenic stack to maximize the durability of stem rust resistance.

Argentatins A–C (1–3), the major cycloartane-type triterpenoids of guayule resin, a byproduct of commercial rubber production, were converted into their pyrimidine (7–12), thiazole (13–15), and indole (16–18) analogues by a molecular hybridization approach. The cytotoxic activities of these fused heterocyclic analogues 7–18 were compared with those of argentatins A–C (1–3) against a panel of three sentinel human cancer cell lines [NCI-H460 (non-small cell lung), MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), and SF-268 (central nervous system glioma)], and normal human fibroblast (WI-38) cells. The cytotoxicity data suggest that the pyrimidine analogues 7 and 8 (derived from 1), 9 and 10 (derived from 2), and 12 (derived from 3 ) had significantly enhanced activity compared to the parent compounds or their thiazole (13–15) and indole (16–18) analogues. These findings indicate that triterpenoid constituents of guayule resin may be exploited to obtain value-added products with potential applications in anticancer drug discovery.

Ordered polycyclization catalyzed by oxidosqualene synthases (OSCs) morph a common linear precursor into structurally complex and diverse triterpene scaffolds with varied bioactivities. We identified three OSCs from Iris tectorum. ItOSC2 is a rare multifunctional α-amyrin synthase. Sequence comparisons, site-directed mutagenesis and multiscale simulations revealed that three spatially clustered residues, Y531/L256/L258 form an unusual Y-LL triad at the active site, replacing the highly conserved W-xY triad occurring in other amyrin synthases. The discovery of this unprecedented active site architecture in ItOSC2 underscores the plasticity of terpene cyclase catalytic mechanisms and opens new avenues for protein engineering towards custom designed OSCs.

Shelled walnut (Juglans regia) kernels are prone to rancidity during storage. In this study we examined the preservation effect of cinnamon and clove essential oil (EO) vapors compared to cold storage and vacuum packaging by measuring the hexanal content, indicating rancidity, in stored walnut kernels. Odor and taste of stored shelled walnut was investigated by sensory evaluation and by measuring residues of the main EO components in the kernels. During storage under EO vapors, cinnamaldehyde and eugenol were absorbed on the surface of walnuts in a time-dependent manner changing the odor and taste of the kernels. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) EO prevented rancidity and EO treated kernels were rated as acceptable by the sensory panel while cinnamon EO treatment increased rancidity compared to the other treatments and the control samples.

Indole-diterpenes (IDTs) such as the aflatrems, janthitrems, lolitrems, paspalitrems, penitrems, shearinines, sulpinines, and terpendoles are biogenetically related but structurally varied tremorgenic and neurotoxic mycotoxins produced by fungi. All these metabolites derive from the biosynthetic intermediate paspaline, a frequently occurring IDT on its own right. In this comprehensive review, we highlight the similarities and differences of the IDT biosynthetic pathways that lead to the generation of the main paspaline-derived IDT subgroups. We survey the taxonomic distribution and the regulation of IDT production in various fungi and compare the organization of the known IDT biosynthetic gene clusters. A detailed assessment of the highly diverse biological activities of these mycotoxins leads us to emphasize the significant losses that paspaline-derived IDTs cause in agriculture, and compels us to warn about the various hazards they represent towards human and livestock health. Conversely, we also describe the potential utility of these versatile molecules as lead compounds for pharmaceutical drug discovery, and examine the prospects for their industrial scale manufacture in genetically manipulated IDT producers or domesticated host microorganisms in synthetic biological production systems.

Photosynthetic responses of Aegilops comosa genotypes were compared to those of wheat Mv9kr1 and Chinese spring in order to verify whether Ae. comosa TA2760 and MvGB1039 genotypes are potentially suitable gene sources for improving the drought and salt tolerance of bread wheat. Although there are some differences between the non-stressed plants and the measure of the decrease of the net-photosynthesis (PN), it was strongly inhibited by water deficit. Salt stress had similar effect on PN but at the highest (300 mM) NaCl concentration PN of the genotypes showed some activity. Severe drought induced a strong decrease in the effective quantum yield of PS II (ɸPSII) in the genotypes, while it was moderate in the case of salt treatment. Moreover, ɸPSII was unaffected by the increase of NaCl concentration in wheat lines. Parallel with the decrease in ɸPSII, the photoprotective mechanisms were enhanced in the wheat and wild wheat genotypes during water deficit. These results suggest that the Ae. comosa genotypes seem to respond to these stress factors with similar photosynthetic activity to the wheat lines. Thus, based on the above-mentioned facts, the examined Ae. comosa lines are not particularly good candidates for improving drought tolerance of wheat.

A total of 12 new cycloartane- and lanostane-type triterpenoids including 16-deoxyargentatin A (1), 16-deoxyisoargentatin A (2), 7-oxoisoargentatin A (3), 24-epi-argentatin H (4), 24-O-p-anisoylargentatin C (5), 24-O-trans-cinnamoylargentatin C (6), 16-dehydroargentatin C (7), 16,17(20)-didehydroargentatin C (8), isoargentatin C (9), isoargentatin H (10), 3-epi-quisquagenin (11), and isoquisquagenin (12) together with 10 known triterpenoids (13–22) were isolated from the resin of Parthenium argentatum AZ-2 obtained as a byproduct of Bridgestone guayule rubber production. The structures of new triterpenoids 1–12 and argentatin H (13), which has previously been characterized as its diacetate (23), were elucidated by extensive analysis of their spectroscopic data and chemical conversions, and the known compounds 14–22 were identified by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported. Of these, 13, 14, and 18 exhibited weak cytotoxic activity for several cancer cell lines.

Breeding of agricultural crops adapted to climate change and resistant to diseases and pests is hindered by a limited gene pool because of domestication and thousands of years of human selection. One way to increase genetic variation is chromosome-mediated gene transfer from wild relatives by cross hybridization. In the case of wheat (Triticum aestivum), the species of genus Aegilops are a particularly attractive source of new genes and alleles. However, during the evolution of the Aegilops and Triticum genera, diversification of the D-genome lineage resulted in the formation of diploid C, M, and U genomes of Aegilops. The extent of structural genome alterations, which accompanied their evolution and speciation, and the shortage of molecular tools to detect Aegilops chromatin hamper gene transfer into wheat. To investigate the chromosome structure and help develop molecular markers with a known physical position that could improve the efficiency of the selection of desired introgressions, we developed single-gene fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) maps for M- and U-genome progenitors, Aegilops comosa and Aegilops umbellulata, respectively. Forty-three ortholog genes were located on 47 loci in Ae. comosa and on 52 loci in Ae. umbellulata using wheat cDNA probes. The results obtained showed that M-genome chromosomes preserved collinearity with those of wheat, excluding 2 and 6M containing an intrachromosomal rearrangement and paracentric inversion of 6ML, respectively. While Ae. umbellulata chromosomes 1, 3, and 5U maintained collinearity with wheat, structural reorganizations in 2, 4, 6, and 7U suggested a similarity with the C genome of Aegilops markgrafii. To develop molecular markers with exact physical positions on chromosomes of Aegilops, the single-gene FISH data were validated in silico using DNA sequence assemblies from flow-sorted M- and U-genome chromosomes. The sequence similarity search of cDNA sequences confirmed 44 out of the 47 single-gene loci in Ae. comosa and 40 of the 52 map positions in Ae. umbellulata. Polymorphic regions, thus, identified enabled the development of molecular markers, which were PCR validated using wheat-Aegilops disomic chromosome addition lines. The single-gene FISH-based approach allowed the development of PCR markers specific for cytogenetically mapped positions on Aegilops chromosomes, substituting as yet unavailable segregating map. The new knowledge and resources will support the efforts for the introgression of Aegilops genes into wheat and their cloning.

Monascus-type azaphilone pigments (MonAzPs) are produced in multi-thousand ton quantities each year and used as food colorants and nutraceuticals in East Asia. Several groups, including ours, described MonAzPs biosynthesis as a highly complex pathway with many branch points, affording more than 110 MonAzP congeners in a small group of fungi in the Eurotiales order. MonAzPs biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) are also very complex and mosaic-like, with some genes involved in more than one pathway, while other genes playing no apparent role in MonAzPs production. Due to this complexity, MonAzPs BGCs have been delimited differently in various fungi. Since most of these predictions rely primarily on bioinformatic analyses, it is possible that genes immediately outside the currently predicted BGC borders are also involved, especially those whose function cannot be predicted from sequence similarities alone. Conversely, some peripheral genes presumed to be part of the BGC may in fact lay outside the boundaries. This study uses a combination of computational and transcriptional analyses to predict the extent of the MonAzPs BGC in Monascus ruber M7. Gene knockouts and analysis of MonAzPs production of the mutants are then used to validate the prediction, revealing that the BGC consists of 16 genes, extending from mrpigA to mrpigP. We further predict that two strains of Talaromyces marneffei, ATCC 18224 and PM1, encode an orthologous but non-syntenic MonAzPs BGC with 14 genes. This work highlights the need to use comprehensive, integrated approaches for the more precise determination of secondary metabolite BGC boundaries.

The bromate–sulfite reaction-based pH-oscillators represent one of the most useful subgroup among the chemical oscillators. They provide strong H+-pulses which can generate temporal oscillations in other systems coupled to them and they show wide variety of spatiotemporal dynamics when they are carried out in different gel reactors. Some examples are discussed. When pH-dependent chemical and physical processes are linked to a bromate–sulfite-based oscillator, rhythmic changes can appear in the concentration of some cations and anions, in the distribution of the species in a pH-sensitive stepwise complex formation, in the oxidation number of the central cation in a chelate complex, in the volume or the desorption-adsorption ability of a piece of gel. These reactions are quite suitable for generating spatiotemporal patterns in open reactors. Many reaction–diffusion phenomena, moving and stationary patterns, have been recently observed experimentally using different reactor configurations, which allow exploring the effect of different initial and boundary conditions. Here, we summarize the most relevant aspects of these experimental and numerical studies on bromate–sulfite reaction-based reaction–diffusion systems.

Aegilops biuncialis is a promising gene source to improve salt tolerance of wheat via interspecific hybridization. In the present work, the salt stress responses of wheat-Ae. biuncialis addition lines were investigated during germination and in young plants to identify which Aegilops chromosomes can improve the salt tolerance of wheat. After salt treatments, the Aegilops parent and the addition lines 2M, 3M and 3M.4BS showed higher germination potential, shoot and root growth, better CO2 assimilation capacity and less chlorophyll degradation than the wheat parent. The Aegilops parent accumulated less Na in the roots due to an up-regulation of SOS1, SOS2 and HVP1 genes, while it contained higher amount of proline, fructose, glucose, galactose, maltose and raffinose. In the leaves, lower Na level was accompanied by high amount of proline and increased expression of NHX2 gene. The enhanced accumulation of sugars and proline was also observed in the roots of 3M and 3M.4BS addition lines. Typical mechanism of 2M addition line was the sequestration of Na into the vacuole due to the increased expression of HVP1 in the roots and NHX2 in the leaves. These results suggest the Aegilops chromosomes 2M and 3M can improve salt tolerance of wheat in different way.

Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum), a wild relative of wheat, is an attractive source of genes and alleles for their improvement. Its wider use is hampered by limited knowledge of its complex genome. In this work, individual chromosomes were purified by flow sorting, and DNA shotgun sequencing was performed. The annotation of chromosome-specific sequences characterized the DNA-repeat content and led to the identification of genic sequences. Among them, genic sequences homologous to genes conferring plant disease resistance and involved in plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress were identified. Genes belonging to the important groups for breeders involved in different functional categories were found. The analysis of the DNA-repeat content identified a new LTR element, Agrocen, which is enriched in centromeric regions. The colocalization of the element with the centromeric histone H3 variant CENH3 suggested its functional role in the grass centromere. Finally, 159 polymorphic simple-sequence-repeat (SSR) markers were identified, with 72 of them being chromosome- or chromosome-arm-specific, 16 mapping to more than one chromosome, and 71 mapping to all the Agropyron chromosomes. The markers were used to characterize orthologous relationships between A. cristatum and common wheat that will facilitate the introgression breeding of wheat using A. cristatum.

Combinatorial biosynthesis with fungal polyketide synthases (PKSs) promises to produce unprecedented bioactive "unnatural"natural products (uNPs) for drug discovery. Genome mining of the dothideomycete Rhytidhysteron rufulum uncovered a collaborating highly reducing PKS (hrPKS)-nonreducing PKS (nrPKS) pair. These enzymes produce trace amounts of rare Stype benzenediol macrolactone congeners with a phenylacetate core in a heterologous host. However, subunit shuffling and domain swaps with voucher enzymes demonstrated that all PKS domains are highly productive. This contradiction led us to reveal novel programming layers exerted by the starter unit acyltransferase (SAT) and the thioesterase (TE) domains on the PKS system. First, macrocyclic vs linear product formation is dictated by the intrinsic biosynthetic program of the TE domain. Next, the chain length of the hrPKS product is strongly influenced in trans by the off-loading preferences of the nrPKS SAT domain. Last, TE domains are size-selective filters that facilitate or obstruct product formation from certain priming units. Thus, the intrinsic programs of the SAT and TE domains are both part of the extrinsic program of the hrPKS subunit and modulate the observable metaprogram of the whole PKS system. Reconstruction of SAT and TE phylogenies suggests that these domains travel different evolutionary trajectories, with the resulting divergence creating potential conflicts in the PKS metaprogram. Such conflicts often emerge in chimeric PKSs created by combinatorial biosynthesis, reducing biosynthetic efficiency or even incapacitating the system. Understanding the points of failure for such engineered biocatalysts is pivotal to advance the biosynthetic production of uNPs.

Covering: 2014 up to the third quarter of 2019 Entomopathogens constitute a unique, specialized trophic subgroup of fungi, most of whose members belong to the order Hypocreales (class Sordariomycetes, phylum Ascomycota). These Hypocrealean Entomopathogenic Fungi (HEF) produce a large variety of secondary metabolites (SMs) and their genomes rank highly for the number of predicted, unique SM biosynthetic gene clusters. SMs from HEF have diverse roles in insect pathogenicity as virulence factors by modulating various interactions between the producer fungus and its insect host. In addition, these SMs also defend the carcass of the prey against opportunistic microbial invaders, mediate intra- and interspecies communication, and mitigate abiotic and biotic stresses. Thus, these SMs contribute to the role of HEF as commercial biopesticides in the context of integrated pest management systems, and provide lead compounds for the development of chemical pesticides for crop protection. These bioactive SMs also underpin the widespread use of certain HEF as nutraceuticals and traditional remedies, and allowed the modern pharmaceutical industry to repurpose some of these molecules as life-saving human medications. Herein, we survey the structures and biological activities of SMs described from HEF, and summarize new information on the roles of these metabolites in fungal virulence.

Biomass productivity of shrub willow plants grown in short rotation system can be improved by genetic means or by innovative cropping technologies. In the present study we analyzed the growth and physiological responses of willow plants to plant biostimulators, such as 1-triacontanol (TRIA), a saturated primary alcohol and seaweed extract (Kelpak®). Testing a novel approach, we soaked stem cuttings in TRIA or Kelpak solutions for 48 h before plantation. These treatments enlarged height and diameter of stems, furthermore increased stem and leaf weights in comparison to the water control. In agreement with these greenhouse observations, field tests showed statistically significant enhancement in height and diameter of woody stems harvested in winter. Application of 25% Kelpak solution was the most effective in stimulating all traits including stem weight per plant after pre-planting treatment of cuttings. In an alternative treatment protocol, Kelpak was applied as foliar treatment or in combination between TRIA (10 mg L−1) treatment of cuttings and foliar spray with Kelpak 1 or 2% solutions in the greenhouse. The green pixel numbers revealed variable degrees of stimulation in shoot growth. These treatments resulted in an increase in stem and leaf weights. Improvement of photosynthetic functions was indicated by more efficient electron transport rates (ETRs) of photosystems. An increased nicotinamide and thiamine contents were detected in the leaves of stimulated plants. The present study can serve as a foundation for additional laboratory and field studies optimizing the application of these stimulators in energy plantations.

Introduction Arterial circulatory deficiency in the upper limbs with repeated vasomotor contraction can cause serious tissue hypoperfusion functional deficiency and trophic abnormality, deformation in the distal area of the hands. This pathogenesis limits the ability to work, inhibits patients‘ self-management, and significantly reduces their quality of life (QoL). In our outpatient pain-clinic we mainly see patients suffering from primary and secondary Raynaud syndrome in all three stages after standard immunological, angiological and vascular-surgical investigations and treatments showed up to be ineffective. Method We applied stellate ganglion block (SGB) described first by Leriche and La Fontainea, adapted by Dosch as a special form of neural therapy (according to Hunecke) with para-tracheal technique on the effected side and conducted a prospective non-randomised case series. The treatment period took three weeks with the intervention repeated twice a week. To assess the effects of SGB on the arterial circulation of the hands, the consecutive ischaemic pain, the changes in trophic disturbances and patient’s quality of life − using validated objective and subjective measurements. Results From the data of 12 examined and treated patients were collected. The average follow up time was 35 days after treatment. Aggregated changes in the skin temperature of the fingers showed significant improvement (p = 0.002). Out of the 3 parameters of trophic disorder of the II-IIIrd fingers the aggregated changes showed significant improvement (p No lasting complications were detected. Conclusion Our study is the first to evaluate SGB as a complementary treatment in addition to conventional standard care and employ subjective and objective outcome measurements, in a group of patients with Raynaud syndrome. These promising findings are an indicator for further research.

In the first half of the study excavation projects fi-nanced with the support of local governments and nka (Bár-dudvarnok, iharos, zamárdi) are described, in the second half the archeological results of the excavation connected to a de-velopment of route no 67 and route no 76 are related.

Background and purpose Our aim was to evaluate the effects of percutaneous neurolysis of lumbal sympathetic ganglions on pain and the resulting changes in quality of life with validated objective and subjective methods. To follow the adverse effects and complications of the procedure. Methods A prospective, non-randomized, interventional, clinical cohort study under real life conditons was conducted. The time of the observation was 6 months. Palliative neural therapy was performed to reduce the ischemic pain of the affected leg of the patients involved in the study. Prior to treatment and after 35 days, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to measure the intensity of lower limb pain. The related changes in the quality of life were followed by a general 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire. We measured the changes of the patients' skin temperature and ankle/arm index. The post-treatment results were compared to the pre-treatment results. We compared the results of objective and subjective measures. We followed the side effects and complications of the pain therapy. Each of the examined subjects had obliterative (Fontaine II/b stage) arterial disease of the lower limbs, in which no revascularization intervention was feasible and their ischemic pain was of VAS≥7. Results Data of 124 patients (69 male, 55 female) could be evaluated. The decrease in intensity of limb pain in the post-treatment period was significant (p=0.001). Quality of life also indicated a significant improvement (p=0.004). Changes in skin temperature and ankle/arm index demonstrated significant improvement (p≤0.005): skin temperature increased from 27.6°C to 31.2°C, the ankle/arm index inceased from 0.67 to 0.83 on average. Changes in objective and subjective measures correlated with each other. No worthening of symptoms, serious adverse events or complications were observed. Conclusion The chemical denervation of the lumbar sympathetic ganglions with percutaneous application is a minimally invasive intervention, useful in outpatient care, which can be well tolerated by the patient without any significant side effect or complication. Its hyperaemic effect and the pain reduction of the leg can improve the quality of life of the patients.

Minimal bromate oscillators represent the simplest version of the oscillatory reactions based on the chemistry of the oxybromine species. Here, we present numerical and experimental evidence of the existence of reaction-diffusion waves in the ferroin catalyzed minimal bromate oscillator. The wave dynamics depend not only on the characteristic chemical timescales but also on those of the diffusive matter exchange which occurs between the reaction-diffusion medium and its environment. We show that the extended reactivity of the ferroin catalyst towards the oxybromine species plays an essential role in the observed phenomena. For the cerium catalyzed minimal bromate oscillator the simulations support only the formation of spatial bistability.