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The systemic administration of glucocorticoids has not only strong beneficial anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects but also numerous adverse health effects. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the stereological and ultrastructural characteristics and distribution of gastrin-producing G cells in rat antral mucosa after 12 days of intraperitoneal administration of 2 mg/kg dexamethasone (DEX). In both groups of rats (DEX and control), the G cells were located at the base of the antral mucosal crypts, but in the DEX-treated rats, they were also found near the gastric lumen and showed an altered morphology compared to the basal cells. There were significant differences in the number of G cells per unit area and unit volume of antral mucosa between the groups studied. In the DEX-treated rats, the modified morphology and position of the antral G cells within the gastric units indicate their modified activity and possible impaired regulation of gastric acid production.

Barley and oat have been promoted for years as good sources of dietary fiber, especially β-glucan. Studies have shown a positive effect of barley and oat β-glucan on human health and as a result, there has been an increasing demand for β-glucans in the past decade. Thus, the variability of the β-glucan content was investigated in the grain of 10 barley and 10 oat varieties. The β-glucan contents were determined by the ICC Standard Method No 168. The content of β-glucan in the analyzed barley varieties were within the range 3.52–7.81% and in analyzed oat varieties, the content of β-glucan were within the range of 3.15–7.28%. Among analyzed barley varieties, Novosadski 314 contained the highest content of β-glucan (7.81%), while Tomba had the highest content of β-glucan (7.28%) in the analyzed oat varieties. Based on the results, it could be concluded that there is genetic diversity of oat and barley varieties with respect to their β-glucan content. This fact enables varieties with a high a nutritional capacity to be selected.

Growth and development of cereals is affected by abiotic factors, particularly by high temperature. An important factor in plant adaptation to abiotic stress can be the proline accumulation. Proline is an amino acid involved in a series of metabolic processes and is important as a protein stabilizer, osmolyte and antioxidant. The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of high temperature on the proline content and yield elements in different cereal varieties during two vegetative seasons. For the investigation, plant material of 8 genetically divergent winter wheat varieties, 1 variety of triticale and 1 oat variety were used. Samples were collected in days with moderate midday air temperatures of 24-26°C in the milk stage and after a few days in the same phenological stage, in conditions of high midday air temperatures of 34-36°C. Proline accumulation was determined spectrophotometrically. Statistical analyses of data were done in the SPSS program. The results during the first experimental year showed that under moderate air temperature conditions proline content was 0.661 µmol g-1 fresh plant, and in the second experimental year 0.777 µmol g-1 fresh plant. Under conditions of heat stress during the first year, the content of proline increased to 2.169 µmol g-1 fresh plant, and in the second experimental year the average content was 2.510 µmol g-1 fresh plant, which confirms the increase of proline accumulations under heat stress. Compared with other cereal varieties, wheat varieties Zvezdana, Pobeda, Simonida and Avenu were characterized by higher contents of proline in conditions of heat stress in both vegetative seasons. Statistical analysis and correlation of the results of proline accumulation and yield elements showed that more resistant varieties to heat stress conditions have higher yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Barley and oat have been promoted for years as good sources of dietary fiber, especially β-glucan. Studies have shown a positive effect of barley and oat β-glucan on human health and as a result, there has been an increasing demand for β-glucans in the past decade. Thus, the variability of the β-glucan content was investigated in the grain of 10 barley and 10 oat varieties. The β-glucan contents were determined by the ICC Standard Method No 168. The content of β-glucan in the analyzed barley varieties were within the range 3.52-7.81 % and in analyzed oat varieties, the content of β-glucan were within the range of 3.15-7.28 %. Among analyzed barley varieties, Novosadski 314 contained the highest content of β-glucan (7.81 %), while Tomba had the highest content of β-glucan (7.28%) in the analyzed oat varieties. Based on the results, it could be concluded that there is genetic diversity of oat and barley varieties with respect to their β-glucan content. This fact enables varieties with a high a nutritional capacity to be selected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]