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The population dynamics of Tetranychus urticae (two-spotted spider mite -- TSSM) are influenced by environmental factors, which were investigated to identify methods limiting the development and harmfulness of this pest. This paper presents findings from a laboratory study on the effect of spraying with water-based extracts of Mentha piperita and Tagetes patula plants on the growth rate of TSSM larvae and nymphs. The time required for the transformation of the larvae into protonymphs was longer for T. patula water- based extracts than extracts from M. piperita. Differences in the time of transformation from the nymphal stage to adult TSSM were also observed depending on the plant waterbased extracts, their concentration, and the host plant on which nymphs were developing. The use of 100 g · l-1 French marigold extract was associated with longer transformation time of nymphs on discs of pea leaves than all tested concentrations of French marigold extract applied to sugar beet leaves. Ten percent of the extracts from peppermint plants had a stronger limiting effect on TSSM nymphs on pea leaves than on bean or sugar beet leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loricrin keratoderma (LK) is a rare autosomal dominant genodermatosis caused by LORICRIN gene mutations. The pathogenesis of the disease is not yet fully understood. So far, only 10 pathogenic variants in LORICRIN have been described, with all of them but one being deletions or insertions. The significance of rare nonsense variants remains unclear. Furthermore, no data regarding the RNA expression in affected patients are available. The aim of this study is to describe the two variants in the LORICRIN gene found in two distinct families: the novel pathogenic variant c.639_642dup and a rare c.10C > T (p.Gln4Ter) of unknown significance. We also present the results of the transcriptome analysis of the lesional loricrin keratoderma epidermis of a patient with c.639_642dup. We show that in the LK lesion, the genes associated with epidermis development and keratocyte differentiation are upregulated, while genes engaged in cell adhesion, differentiation developmental processes, ion homeostasis and transport, signaling and cell communication are downregulated. In the context of the p.Gln4Ter clinical significance evaluation, we provide data indicating that LORICRIN haploinsufficiency has no skin consequences. Our results give further insight into the pathogenesis of LK, which may have therapeutic implications in the future and important significance in the context of genetic counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Androgenesis is potentially the most effective technique for doubled haploid production of wheat. It is not however widely used in breeding programmes due to its main limitation: the genotype dependence. Due to genetic differences between spring and winter wheat, it was assumed that both phenotypes are different in their capacity to conduct androgenesis. And so, the aim of this investigation was to verify the effectiveness of androgenesis induction and plant regeneration of spring and winter wheat genotypes while considering varying amounts of growth hormones in the induction medium. Fifteen genotypes of spring wheat and fifteen of winter wheat were used in the experiment. Six hundred anthers of each of the 30 genotypes were plated and analysed. Previous studies have allowed selection of the best medium for wheat androgenesis and a combination of growth hormones that are the most effective in stimulating microspore proliferation. Therefore, C17 induction media with two combinations of growth hormones were used: I—supplemented only by auxins (2,4-D and dicamba), and II—supplemented by auxin and cytokinin (2,4-D and kinetin). Data was recorded according to the efficiency of androgenic structure formation (ASF), green plant regeneration (GPR), and albino plant regeneration (APR). The results showed that the induction and regeneration of androgenesis in the spring wheat were more efficient than in the winter ones. The spring genotypes formed more androgenic structures and green plants on anthers plated on the medium supplemented only by auxins, in contrast to the winter genotypes which were better induced and regenerated on the medium supplemented by auxin and cytokinin. The study showed that to increase the efficiency of androgenesis, it is necessary to select appropriate factors such as concentration and type of hormones in medium composition, affecting the course of the culturing procedure according to the winter or spring phenotype of donor plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), with myocardial infarction (MI) being one of the crucial components, wreak havoc in developed countries. Advanced imaging technologies are required to obtain quick and widely available diagnostic data. This paper describes a multimodal approach to in vivo perfusion imaging using the novel SYN1 tracer based on the fluorine-18 isotope. The NOD-SCID mice were injected intravenously with SYN1 or [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]-FDG) radiotracers after induction of the MI. In all studies, the positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET/CT) technique was used. To obtain hemodynamic data, mice were subjected to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Finally, the biodistribution of the SYN1 compound was performed using Wistar rat model. SYN1 showed normal accumulation in mouse and rat hearts, and MI hearts correctly indicated impaired cardiac segments when compared to [18F]-FDG uptake. In vivo PET/CT and MRI studies showed statistical convergence in terms of the size of the necrotic zone and cardiac function. This was further supported with RNAseq molecular analyses to correlate the candidate function genes' expression, with Serpinb1c, Tnc and Nupr1, with Trem2 and Aldolase B functional correlations showing statistical significance in both SYN1 and [18F]-FDG. Our manuscript presents a new fluorine-18-based perfusion radiotracer for PET/CT imaging that may have importance in clinical applications. Future research should focus on confirmation of the data elucidated here to prepare SYN1 for first-in-human trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about the Polish Academic R User Meeting held at the Poznan university of Economics from october 15-17, 2014 is presented. The event was organized by the students scientific organizations and the Statistics and Mathematics Departments of Poznan University of Economics. Moreover, speakers talked about the use of statistics software in business, science as well as exchange experiences.