Role of Autophagy in Haematococcus lacustris Cell Growth under Salinity

The microalga Haematococcus lacustris (formerly H. pluvialis) is able to accumulate high amounts of the carotenoid astaxanthin in the course of adaptation to stresses like salinity. Technologies aimed at production of natural astaxanthin for commercial purposes often involve salinity stress; however, after a switch to stressful conditions, H. lacustris experiences massive cell death which negatively influences astaxanthin yield. This study addressed the possibility to improve cell survival in H. lacustris subjected to salinity via manipulation of the levels of autophagy using AZD8055, a known inhibitor of TOR kinase previously shown to accelerate autophagy in several microalgae. Addition of NaCl in concentrations of 0.2% or 0.8% to the growth medium induced formation of autophagosomes in H. lacustris, while simultaneous addition of AZD8055 up to a final concentration of 0.2 µM further stimulated this process. AZD8055 significantly improved the yield of H. lacustris cells after 5 days of exposure to 0.2% NaCl. Strikingly, this occurred by acceleration of cell growth, and not by acceleration of aplanospore formation. The level of astaxanthin synthesis was not affected by AZD8055. However, cytological data suggested a role of autophagosomes, lysosomes and Golgi cisternae in cell remodeling during high salt stress.

Cytological Study of Cypripedium japonicum Thunb. (Orchidaceae Juss.): An Endangered Species from Korea

Changes in chromosome number and karyotype evolution are important to plant diversification, as they are both major drivers of speciation processes. Herein, chromosome number, karyotype, and genome size of the Korean lady’s slipper orchid Cypripedium japonicum Thunb., an endangered species, were investigated in natural populations. Furthermore, all cytological data from this species are reported herein for the first time. The chromosome number of all investigated C. japonicum plants was diploid (2n = 2x = 22), with x = 11 as base chromosome number, whereby the species can now be clearly distinguished from the Japanese lady’s slipper orchid. The karyotypes of all studied individuals were of similar length, symmetrical, and rather unimodal. Flow cytometry of the C. japonicum revealed that the genome size ranged from 28.38 to 30.14 pg/1C. Data on chromosome number and karyotypes were largely consistent with previous results indicating that Korean (x = 11) populations of C. japonicum are more closely related to Chinese populations (x = 11) compared to Japanese (x = 10) populations. These comprehensive cytological results will benefit the efforts to discriminate the geographically isolated and endangered Eastern Asian (China, Japan, and Korea) lady’s slipper orchid species.

Implementation of Static Telecytology Applications for Remote Evaluation of Salivary Glands Fine Needle Aspiration Specimens

The Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology (MSRSGC), which was adopted in 2018, is an excellent tool for the diagnosis and management of salivary glands lesions. A telemedical application is a valuable tool for cytopathologists in order to manage and promote interlaboratory collaboration. The result is better cytological data management and sharing. Telecytological diagnoses should be as reliable as those made using conventional microscopy. There are very few studies available that have focused on the implementation digital images, captured by static telecytology stations for telemedical applications in the field of cytopathology. The present study aims to evaluate the diagnostic reproducibility of telecytology in salivary glands aspiration specimens among three cytopathologists using representative simages captured by a static telecytology station. The study also examined the agreement between contributor and the reviewer diagnoses.

Polyploidization within the Funariaceae—a key principle behind speciation, sporophyte reduction and the high variance of spore diameters?

Although being recognized as a major force behind speciation in flowering plants, the evolutionary relevance of genome duplication (polyploidization) remains largely unexplored in mosses. Phylogenetic and-genomic insights from the model organism Physcomitrella patens and closely related species revealed that polyploidization, likely via hybridization (allopolyploidization), gives rise to new species within the Funariaceae. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of the nuclear single copy gene BRK1 combined with the measurement of DNA content by flow cytometry, we identified Entosthodon hungaricus as such an allopolyploid species. Together with Physcomitrium pyriforme, Physcomitrium eurystomum and Physcomitrium collenchymatum, which were identified previously as species that likely arose by hybridization, E. hungaricus represents an additional allopolyploid lineage of a species complex that is characterized by convergent sporophyte reduction and a considerable variance in spore sizes. Based on morphological and cytological data from 18 species, we highlight the potential impact of polyploidization on the size of the spores and on sporophyte architecture.

A natural intergeneric hybrid of Gesneriaceae from Brazil

A natural hybrid between Goyazia and Mandirola (Gloxiniinae, Gesneriaceae) from Cerrado (Brazil) is here described, supported by pollen morphology, cytological data and morphological characters. The microsporogenesis of Mandirola hirsuta and that of the hybrid were analyzed in order to evaluate the cytogenetic characteristics. The haploid chromosome numbers observed were n = 12 for M. hirsuta and n = 11, 13, 16 and 26 for the hybrid. Structural abnormalities (monads, dyads, triads and micronuclei) were observed at the final of the hybrid’s meiosis. High viability rates of the pollen were recorded for Goyazia and Mandirola (>90%) and low viability for the hybrid (34.7%). The pollen grains were acetolyzed, measured and photographed for pollen morphology analysis. Quantitative pollen data were analyzed through descriptive and multivariate statistics. The hybrid has intermediate pollen characteristics between G. petraea and M. hirsuta; it is more related to G. petraea by the measures of diameters and ectoapertures; it is more similar to M. hirsuta mainly regarding the microreticulum on the mesocolpium region. The hybrid and Mandirola share vegetative and flower size, while the colors of the hybrid are similar to Goyazia. Pollen morphology, cytological data and morphological characters brought clear evidence for the recognition of the intergeneric hybrid, which we named as Goydirola x punctata.

Begonia ×dinglensis, a natural hybrid of Philippine Begonia section Baryandra, as evidenced by morphological, phylogenetic and cytological data

Here we describe a natural hybrid of Philippine Begonia from Bulabog Puti-an National Park in Dingle, Iloilo, Panay Island. The hybrid, named Begonia ×dinglensis after its place of origin, grows on moist, coralline-rock slopes at 200 m elevation. Morphological, molecular, and cytological evidence support its origin from natural hybridization between Philippine endemics B. camiguinensis and B. nigritarum.

A revision of Hierochloe sect. Monoecia (Anthoxanthinae, Pooideae, Poaceae)

We propose a new taxonomic arrangement for the South American species of Hierochloe sect. Monoecia, based on a recently published study combining morphological, molecular and cytological data. Only four out of the eight commonly accepted species of this section (H. pusilla, H. juncifolia, H. quebrada and H. redolens pro parte) are recognised using both phylogenetic (apomorphic) and phenetic species concepts. The four remaining species (H. altissima, H. gunckelii, H. spicata and H. utriculata) are reduced to varieties of the widespread H. redolens due to weak molecular, macro- and micromorphological differentiation. These varieties are presented here as new taxonomical combinations: H. redolens var. gunckelii, H. redolens var. spicata, H. redolens var. utriculata and H. redolens var. altissima. Lectotypes are designated for the names H. pusilla, H. juncifolia, H. redolens var. utriculata, and H. redolens var. altissima.

Remote Evaluation of Short Videos Captured by Static Telecytological Applications for Obtaining Expert Opinions

Over the last decade, cytopathology laboratories wishing to achieve an automated and seamless workflow process, to diminish turnaround times and to improve their diagnostic accuracy have successfully adopted information technologies and automation. New types of cameras and microscopes, connected to computers, have made possible image capture and transmission (telecytology). New innovative information technologies, including e-health and telemedical applications, constitute a valuable tool for interlaboratory collaboration and quality improvement. New applications are expected to enhance the opportunities for improvement in the field of cytological data management and sharing. In this article, we emphasize on the possible use of short videos captured by static telecytology applications in a modern cytopathology laboratory wishing to establish an effective interlaboratory comparison system and obtain expert opinions in diagnostically challenging cases from distant consultants with well recognized diagnostic competence and experience in the field of thyroid cytology.

Contribution to the systematic knowledge of endemic Aubrieta pinardii Boiss. (Brassicaceae) from Turkey

The aim of this study was to document the taxonomical, morphological, anatomical, palynological and cytological characters, and geographical distribution of endemic Aubrieta pinardii Boiss. (Brassicaceae) from Turkey. The description of the taxon was revised as a consequence of comprehensive assessments of many specimens. The surface pictures belonging to seed and pollen of the taxon were obtained by Scanning Electron Microscope. The seed surface ornamentation was rugose. The pollen was radially and isopolar and prolate in forms, with polar axes of 19.52 ± 0.29 μm and equatorial axes of 13.04 ± 0.22 μm, with oval outlines in the equatorial axes, and elliptical in the polar axes. They were three–colpate and colpus sizes varied between 12.98 μm and 13.29 μm in length, and between 1.33 and 2.09 μm in width. Also, the anatomical structures of the root, stem and leaf of species were studied. In cytological studies, the chromosome number of species was found as 2n = 16 (x =8). This was the first work including taxonomical, morphological (macro and micro), anatomical and cytological data of endemic Aubrieta pinardii. Bangladesh J.Plant Taxon. 27(1): 27-35, 2020 (June)