scholarly journals Nectar Chemistry or Flower Morphology—What Is More Important for the Reproductive Success of Generalist Orchid Epipactis palustris in Natural and Anthropogenic Populations?

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (22) ◽  
pp. 12164
Author(s):  
Emilia Brzosko ◽  
Andrzej Bajguz ◽  
Justyna Burzyńska ◽  
Magdalena Chmur
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Nectar Composition ◽  
Glucose Ratio ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Flower Traits ◽  
Body Sizes ◽  
Nectar Chemistry ◽  
Epipactis Palustris

The aim of this study was to determine the level of reproductive success (RS) in natural and anthropogenic populations of generalist orchid Epipactis palustris and its dependence on flower structure and nectar composition, i.e., amino acids and sugars. We found that both pollinaria removal and female reproductive success were high and similar in all populations, despite differences in flower traits and nectar chemistry. Flower structures were weakly correlated with parameters of RS. Nectar traits were more important in shaping RS; although, we noted differentiated selection on nectar components in distinct populations. Individuals in natural populations produced nectar with a larger amount of sugars and amino acids. The sucrose to (fructose and glucose) ratio in natural populations was close to 1, while in anthropogenic ones, a clear domination of fructose and glucose was noted. Our results indicate that the flower traits and nectar composition of E. palustris reflect its generalist character and meet the requirements of a wide range of pollinators, differing according to body sizes, mouth apparatus, and dietary needs. Simultaneously, differentiation of nectar chemistry suggests a variation of pollinator assemblages in particular populations or domination of their some groups. To our knowledge, a comparison of nectar chemistry between natural and anthropogenic populations of orchids is reported for the first time in this paper.

scholarly journals How Are the Flower Structure and Nectar Composition of the Generalistic Orchid Neottia ovata Adapted to a Wide Range of Pollinators?

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 2214
Author(s):  
Emilia Brzosko ◽  
Andrzej Bajguz ◽  
Magdalena Chmur ◽  
Justyna Burzyńska ◽  
Edyta Jermakowicz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Hplc Method ◽  
Flower Morphology ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Flower Structure ◽  
Pollination Syndromes ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Flower Traits ◽  
Nectar Chemistry ◽  
Floral Displays

Plant-pollinator interactions significantly influence reproductive success (RS) and drive the evolution of pollination syndromes. In the context of RS, mainly the role of flower morphology is touched. The importance of nectar properties is less studied, despite its significance in pollination effectiveness. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test selection on flower morphology and nectar chemistry in the generalistic orchid Neottia ovata. In 2019–2020, we measured three floral displays and six flower traits, pollinaria removal (PR), female reproductive success (FRS), and determined the soil properties. The sugars and amino acids (AAs) were analyzed using the HPLC method. Data were analyzed using multiple statistical methods (boxplots, ternary plot, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, and PCA). Variation of flower structure and nectar chemistry and their weak correlation with RS confirms the generalistic character of N. ovata. In particular populations, different traits were under selection. PR was high and similar in all populations in both years, while FRS was lower and varied among populations. Nectar was dominated by glucose, fructose, and included 28 AAs (Ala and Glu have the highest content). Sugars and AAs influenced mainly FRS. Among soil parameters, carbon and carbon:nitrogen ratio seems to be the most important in shaping flower structure and nectar chemistry.

scholarly journals Floral Nectar Chemistry in Orchids: A Short Review and Meta-Analysis

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2315
Author(s):  
Emilia Brzosko ◽  
Paweł Mirski
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Floral Nectar ◽  
Orchid Species ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Flower Traits ◽  
Nectar Chemistry ◽  
Plant Pollinator

Nectar is one of the most important flower traits, shaping plant–pollinator interactions and reproductive success. Despite Orchidaceae including numerous nectariferous species, nectar chemistry in this family has been infrequently studied. Therefore, the aim of this study is to compile data about nectar attributes in different orchid species. The scarcity of data restricted analyses to sugar concentration and composition. Our results suggest that the most important factor shaping nectar traits in orchids is the pollinator type, although we also found differentiation of nectar traits according to geographical regions. In spurred orchids, the length of the spur impacted nectar traits. We recommend the development of studies on nectar chemistry in orchids, including a wider range of species (both in taxonomic and geographical contexts), as well as extending the analyses to other nectar components (such as amino acids and secondary metabolites). The nectar biome would be also worth investigating, since it could affect the chemical composition of nectar. This will enrich the understanding of the mechanisms of plants–pollinators interactions.

scholarly journals Autophagy Deficiency by Atg4B Loss Leads to Metabolomic Alterations in Mice

Metabolites ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 481
Author(s):  
Gemma G. Martínez-García ◽  
Raúl F. Pérez ◽  
Álvaro F. Fernández ◽  
Sylvere Durand ◽  
Guido Kroemer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Amino Acids ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Tissue Homeostasis ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Protective Mechanism ◽  
Cardiac Damage ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
First Time

Autophagy is an essential protective mechanism that allows mammalian cells to cope with a variety of stressors and contributes to maintaining cellular and tissue homeostasis. Due to these crucial roles and also to the fact that autophagy malfunction has been described in a wide range of pathologies, an increasing number of in vivo studies involving animal models targeting autophagy genes have been developed. In mammals, total autophagy inactivation is lethal, and constitutive knockout models lacking effectors of this route are not viable, which has hindered so far the analysis of the consequences of a systemic autophagy decline. Here, we take advantage of atg4b−/− mice, an autophagy-deficient model with only partial disruption of the process, to assess the effects of systemic reduction of autophagy on the metabolome. We describe for the first time the metabolic footprint of systemic autophagy decline, showing that impaired autophagy results in highly tissue-dependent alterations that are more accentuated in the skeletal muscle and plasma. These changes, which include changes in the levels of amino-acids, lipids, or nucleosides, sometimes resemble those that are frequently described in conditions like aging, obesity, or cardiac damage. We also discuss different hypotheses on how impaired autophagy may affect the metabolism of several tissues in mammals.

scholarly journals Inferring Linkage Disequilibrium Between a Polymorphic Marker Locus and a Trait Locus in Natural Populations

Genetics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 156 (1) ◽  
pp. 457-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z W Luo ◽  
S H Tao ◽  
Z-B Zeng
Keyword(s):  
Linkage Disequilibrium ◽  
Allele Frequency ◽  
Random Mating ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Polymorphic Marker ◽  
Marker Locus ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Phenotypic Variance ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Trait Locus

Abstract Three approaches are proposed in this study for detecting or estimating linkage disequilibrium between a polymorphic marker locus and a locus affecting quantitative genetic variation using the sample from random mating populations. It is shown that the disequilibrium over a wide range of circumstances may be detected with a power of 80% by using phenotypic records and marker genotypes of a few hundred individuals. Comparison of ANOVA and regression methods in this article to the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) shows that, given the genetic variance explained by the trait locus, the power of TDT depends on the trait allele frequency, whereas the power of ANOVA and regression analyses is relatively independent from the allelic frequency. The TDT method is more powerful when the trait allele frequency is low, but much less powerful when it is high. The likelihood analysis provides reliable estimation of the model parameters when the QTL variance is at least 10% of the phenotypic variance and the sample size of a few hundred is used. Potential use of these estimates in mapping the trait locus is also discussed.

Assessing the Ergonomic Benefits of a New Adjustable Forklift Backrest

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 976-980
Author(s):  
Pranav Madhav Kuber ◽  
Ehsan Rashedi
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
Motion Capture ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Body Movement ◽  
Pressure Change ◽  
Motion Capture System ◽  
Design Features ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Body Sizes ◽  
The Mean

A new forklift backrest has been developed by incorporating adjustability concepts into the design to facilitate comfort to a wide range of users. We have conducted a comparative study between the new and original backrests to assess the effectiveness of design features. Using the phenomenon of restlessness, discomfort of the user was associated with the amount of body movement, where we have used a motion- capture system and a force platform to quantify the individuals’ movement for a wide range of body sizes. Meanwhile, subjective comfort and design feedback were collected using a questionnaire. Our results showed a reduction in the mean torso movement and the maximum center of pressure change of location by 300 and 6 mm, respectively, for the new design. Taking advantage of adjustability feature, the new backrest design exhibited enhanced comfort for longer durations and reduced magnitude of discomfort for a wide range of participants’ body sizes.

scholarly journals Destruxin A Interacts with Aminoacyl tRNA Synthases in Bombyx mori

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 593
Author(s):  
Jingjing Wang ◽  
Alexander Berestetskiy ◽  
Qiongbo Hu
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Bombyx Mori ◽  
Metarhizium Anisopliae ◽  
Free Amino ◽  
Molecular Target ◽  
Trna Synthetases ◽  
Interaction Mode ◽  
Aminoacyl Trna Synthetases ◽  
Wide Range

Destruxin A (DA), a hexa-cyclodepsipeptidic mycotoxin produced by the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae, exhibits insecticidal activities in a wide range of pests and is known as an innate immunity inhibitor. However, its mechanism of action requires further investigation. In this research, the interactions of DA with the six aminoacyl tRNA synthetases (ARSs) of Bombyx mori, BmAlaRS, BmCysRS, BmMetRS, BmValRS, BmIleRS, and BmGluProRS, were analyzed. The six ARSs were expressed and purified. The BLI (biolayer interferometry) results indicated that DA binds these ARSs with the affinity indices (KD) of 10−4 to 10−5 M. The molecular docking suggested a similar interaction mode of DA with ARSs, whereby DA settled into a pocket through hydrogen bonds with Asn, Arg, His, Lys, and Tyr of ARSs. Furthermore, DA treatments decreased the contents of soluble protein and free amino acids in Bm12 cells, which suggested that DA impedes protein synthesis. Lastly, the ARSs in Bm12 cells were all downregulated by DA stress. This study sheds light on exploring and answering the molecular target of DA against target insects.

scholarly journals Impact of Foliar Application of Amino Acids on Total Phenols, Phenolic Acids Content of Different Mints Varieties under the Field Condition

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 599
Author(s):  
Živilė Tarasevičienė ◽  
Aloyzas Velička ◽  
Aurelija Paulauskienė
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Phenolic Compounds ◽  
Phenolic Acids ◽  
Foliar Application ◽  
Mentha Piperita ◽  
Total Phenolic ◽  
Total Phenol Content ◽  
Individual Response ◽  
Total Phenols ◽  
Wide Range

Phenolic compounds have a number of benefits to human health and can be used as preventive compounds for the development of some chronic diseases. Mentha plants are not only a good source of essential oils, but also contain significant levels of wide range of phenolic compounds. The aim of this research was to investigate the possibility to increase phenols content in Mentha plants under the foliar application with L-phenylalanine, L-tryptophan, L-tyrosine at two concentrations (100 mg L−1 and 200 mg L−1) and to create preconditions for using this plant for even more diverse purposes. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of phenols in mints were performed by HPLC method. Foliar application of amino acids increased the total phenol content from 1.22 to 3.51 times depending on the treatment and mint variety. The most pronounced foliar application to total phenols content was tryptophane especially in Mentha piperita “Swiss”. Mentha piperita “Swiss” was affected most by foliar application and the amount of total phenolic acids depending on the treatment ranged from 159.25 to 664.03 mg 100 g−1 (DW), respectively, non-sprayed and sprayed with tryptophane 100 mg L−1. Our results suggest that the biophenol content varies according to such factors as foliar application and variety, and every single mint variety has individual response to different applications of amino acids.

Fragment size, pollination efficiency and reproductive success in natural populations of wind-pollinated Polylepis australis (Rosaceae) trees

Flora ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 202 (7) ◽  
pp. 547-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peggy Seltmann ◽  
Daniel Renison ◽  
Andrea Cocucci ◽  
Isabell Hensen ◽  
Klaus Jung
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Fragment Size ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Pollination Efficiency ◽  
Polylepis Australis

Laboratory comparison of the relative success of Biomphalaria glabrata stocks which are susceptible and insusceptible to infection with Schistosoma mansoni

Parasitology ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 335-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Minchella ◽  
P. T. Loverde
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Natural Selection ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Biomphalaria Glabrata ◽  
Selective Advantage ◽  
Controlled Conditions ◽  
Plausible Answer ◽  
Major Objection ◽  
Transmit Disease

SUMMARYA method of interrupting the life-cycle of the human blood fluke Schistosoma by increasing the proportion of genetically insusceptible intermediate host snails in natural populations was first proposed nearly 25 years ago. The method assumes that insusceptible snails will be at a selective advantage over susceptible snails when the schistosome parasite is present, and therefore natural selection will act to increase the proportion of alleles for insusceptibility. A major objection to the proposed technique is ‘If insusceptible snails are at a selective advantage, then why are they not predominant in natural populations that transmit disease?’ One explanation of this paradox is that insusceptibility may be associated with a disadvantageous character or a physiological defect. This study tests this hypothesis by measuring the relative reproductive success of susceptible and insusceptible snails under controlled conditions. Results indicate that insusceptible (unsuitable) snails are negatively affected in the presence of either susceptible snails or schistosome parasites. Furthermore, in the presence of both susceptible snails and schistosome parasites, insusceptible snails are selectively disadvantaged compared to susceptible snails. These results obtained under laboratory-controlled conditions suggest a plausible answer as to why insusceptible snails are not predominant in natural populations that transmit disease.

Reactions of the radical cation derived from 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS·+) with amino acids. Kinetics and mechanism

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (8) ◽  
pp. 1052-1059 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Aliaga ◽  
E A Lissi
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Radical Cation ◽  
Sulfonic Acid ◽  
Biological Fluids ◽  
Reaction Rates ◽  
Kinetics And Mechanism ◽  
Specific Rate ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Initial Ph ◽  
Secondary Reactions

Stable free radicals derived from 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS·+) have been extensively employed to monitor the antioxidant capacity of biological fluids and beverages. Besides reacting with typical antioxidants (such as phenols or thiols) these radicals react with a variety of hydrogen or electron donors. The present work reports on the kinetics and mechanism of these radical reactions with several amino acids. Reaction rates notably increase when the pH of the media increases and, when measured under similar conditions, follows the ordercysteine > > tryptophan > tyrosine > histidine > cystineThe kinetics of the process is interpreted in terms of a mechanism comprising an initial pH dependent reversible step, followed by secondary reactions of the substrate derived radical with itself or with another ABTS·+; this simple three-step mechanism leads to very complex kinetic expressions. The specific rate constants of several of the elementary steps were determined by working under a wide range of substrate, radical, and ABTS concentrations. The values obtained for the initial interaction between the ABTS derived radical and the substrate range from 0.5 M–1 s–1 to 1.9 × 106 M–1 s–1 for histidine and cysteine, respectively.Key words: ABTS radical cation, 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), amino acids, kinetics.

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