ABSTRACT
Although growth stimulation at low arsenic doses was observed in several plants, few studies have focused on this phenomenon in more detail. The effects of different concentrations of arsenic (0-50 mg kg-1 of soil: As0-As50) on the growth and selected physiological parameters of two maize cultivars (Zea mays L. cvs. Chapalu and MvNK 333) were tested. Cultivar MvNK 333 manifested a generally higher tolerance to As than cv. Chapalu, which may be related to the lower content of As in the tissues. The highest stimulatory effect of As was recorded at doses of As1 and As2 (cv. Chapalu), and at the As5 dose (MvNK 333), there was an increase in shoot elongation, biomass, and relative water content (RWC), as well as the content of photosynthetic pigments. The stimulatory effect of lower doses of As apparently represents an adaptation mechanism that is associated with water content regulation in the given conditions. The stomata of the studied cultivars were involved in this regulation in different ways. While cv. Chapalu exhibited increased numbers of stomata on both sides of leaves, cv. MvNK 333 instead responded to the given conditions with decreased stomata size. Although hormetic manifestations closely related to changes in stomatal number and size were observed, a typical stomatal hormetic response was not observed in the given range of As doses.
ABSTRACT
In addition to the structural and storage functions of the (1,3; 1,4)-ß-d-glucans (ß-d-glucan), the possible protective role of this polymer under biotic stresses is still debated. The aim of this study was to contribute to this hypothesis by analyzing the ß-d-glucans content, expression of related cellulose synthase-like (Csl) Cs1F6, CslF9, CslF3 genes, content of chlorophylls, and ß-1,3-glucanase content in oat (Avena sativa L.) leaves infected with the commonly occurring oat fungal pathogen, Blumeria graminis f. sp. avenae (B. graminis). Its presence influenced all measured parameters. The content of ß-d-glucans in infected leaves decreased in all used varieties, compared to the non-infected plants, but not significantly. Oats reacted differently, with Aragon and Vaclav responding with overexpression, and Bay Yan 2, Ivory, and Racoon responding with the underexpression of these genes. Pathogens changed the relative ratios regarding the expression of CslF6, CslF9, and CslF3 genes from neutral to negative correlations. However, changes in the expression of these genes did not statistically significantly affect the content of ß-d-glucans. A very slight indication of positive correlation, but statistically insignificant, was observed between the contents of ß-d-glucans and chlorophylls. Some isoforms of ß-1,3-glucanases accumulated to a several-times higher level in the infected leaves of all varieties. New isoforms of ß-1,3-glucanases were also detected in infected leaves after fungal infection.
ABSTRACT
Oral fungal infections are a worldwide healthcare problem. Although Candida albicans is still the most common yeast involved in the infections of oral cavity, non-Candida albicans Candida species (NCACs) have been highly related to these infections, particularly in older, immunosuppressed or patients with long exposure to antimicrobial drugs. The goal of this work was to perform a quick epidemiological and mycological study on the oral samples collected from a laboratory of a hospital in Slovakia, for 60 days. The samples' identification was performed by Germ-tube formation test, CHROMID® Candida, Auxacolor 2, ID 32C automated method, and the antifungal susceptibility testing determined by E-test®. Results confirm that comparing with bacteria, yeasts still occur in the lower number, but there is a high rate of antifungal resistance (81.6%)to, at least one drugamong the collected samples, particularly to azoles and 5'-FC, which is clinically noteworthy.
Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents , Candida , Aged , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Fluconazole , Hospitals , Humans , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Prevalence , Slovakia/epidemiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Nasal polyps (NPs) are one of the most common inflammatory mass lesions of the nose, affecting up to 0.5-4% of the population. The pathogenesis of NPs has been studied widely, but it is not clearly understood. A possible role of S. aureus in nasal polyposis has been suggested by numerous studies. This study aimed to map S.aureus colonisation in NP patients in the nose in comparison to healthy controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We identified Staphylococcus aureus in nasal mucosal swab, collected from 58 patients with nasal polyposis from the out-patient ENT clinic of the Faculty Hospital in Nitra. We compared them to 50 patients without symptoms of nasal obstruction or NP. Isolated bacterial strains were then further identified. RESULTS: In nasal mucosa membrane, results were not statistically significant. The selected population consisted of 108 patients, of which 58 (54%) had nasal polyps and 50 (46%) didnt. We collected the following information about patients from both groups: age, gender, smoker, presence of asthma, allergy and presence of Staphylococcus aureus by cultivation from nasal mucosa. In addition, for patients with nasal polyposis we have following variables, such as: presence inflammatory diseases, allergy to acylpyrine, cystic fibrosis. Out of 58 patients with nasal polyposis 15% (n=9) were found to have S.aureus in nasal mucosa membrane, compared to the healthy controls where 6% (n=3) of patients had S. aureus. CONCLUSION: Our results did not show that S. aureus found in nasal mucosa membrane is significantly different in patients with or without NP. However, association of the presence of S. aureus in patients with nasal polyposis with asthma, allergy and inflammation has been shown.
