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In specific plant organs, namely the root nodules of alfalfa, fixed nitrogen (ammonia) produced by the symbiotic partner Sinorhizobium meliloti supports the growth of the host plant in nitrogen-depleted environment. Here, we report that a derivative of S. meliloti carrying a mutation in the chromosomal ntrR gene induced nodules with enhanced nitrogen fixation capacity, resulting in an increased dry weight and nitrogen content of alfalfa. The efficient nitrogen fixation is a result of the higher expression level of the nifH gene, encoding one of the subunits of the nitrogenase enzyme, and nifA, the transcriptional regulator of the nif operon. The ntrR gene, controlled negatively by its own product and positively by the symbiotic regulator syrM, is expressed in the same zone of nodules as the nif genes. As a result of the nitrogen-tolerant phenotype of the strain, the beneficial effect of the mutation on efficiency is not abolished in the presence of the exogenous nitrogen source. The ntrR mutant is highly competitive in nodule occupancy compared with the wild-type strain. Sequence analysis of the mutant region revealed a new cluster of genes, termed the "ntrPR operon," which is highly homologous to a group of vap-related genes of various pathogenic bacteria that are presumably implicated in bacterium-host interactions. On the basis of its favorable properties, the strain is a good candidate for future agricultural utilization.

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Ecotoxicological characteristics of a new insecticide synergist, MBB-599 (proposed common name: Verbutin) was investigated. The studies included the determination of the hydrolysis, the biodegradability, the adsorption and desorption characteristics in soil and the effects on living systems (bacterium, alga, Daphnia, and fish) as well.

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The results of the environmental toxicological investigations and their results of a new hungarian acaricide molecule (SZI-121) developed by the CHINOIN were summarized. The toxicological effects of the test item on different ecotoxicological test systems were investigated in the following tests: Bacterium, alga, and plant growth inhibition tests, acute immobilization and 21 days reproduction tests on Daphnia magna, acute fish test, closed bottle test, mobility, aerob degradation and adsorption/desorption tests on three different soils. No toxic effect was found in the bacterium, alga, plant growth inhibition and acute fish tests in the highest concentrations used. In the Daphnia immobilization test 0.14 mg/l LC50 value was established in the concentration range of 0.0128-40 mg/l applied. The test item showed similar characteristics as the reference item during the mobility test in soils, the adsorption/desorption study and the degradation investigations. In order to determine the environmental degradation rate further degradation investigations, as well as the nitrogen mineralization test and the model of concentration change in natural waters were performed.

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Methyl-chrysanthemate is one of the intermediates of pyrethroid type insecticides. The acute toxicity of the test item was investigated in rats after single oral, dermal and inhalation applications. The irritation effect was determined by Draize method. Buehler method was applied to evaluate the sensitization potential of the test item. The mutagenic effect was assessed on Salmonella typhimurium strains. Furthermore metaphase chromosome aberration assay was performed on CHO cell line to check the structural chromosome aberrations.

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Are plants generally less sensitive to toxicity than aquatic animals as indicated by some authors (1)? The use of phytotoxicity (higher plant) tests as a part of ecotoxicology is relatively underdeveloped. The objective of this study was to compare the results of the OECD Lemna Growth Inhibition Test with other mainly used test systems. Three toxicants were tested applying the Alga Growth Inhibition Test (Seleneastrum capricornutum), the Daphnia Immobilization Test (Daphnia magna) and the MICROTOX-test (Photobacterium phosphoreum). Duckweed plants were found to be sensitive to the chemicals tested, with nearly 100% inhibition of frond production occurring in the highest concentrations. The plants in some samples showed lesions (break up of the colony structure) and loss of green pigments (chlorosis), others showed localized dead tissues (necrosis). In addition to the morphological deviations (appearance) there is a wide range of characteristics to be observed on the test plants: number of fronds, number of plants, biomass, dry weight, mortality, CO2 and O2 exchange, concentration of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b. It is consistent that the number of fronds is slightly more sensitive than or the same as the number of plants and that the biomass tend to be somewhat more tolerant than those for the number of plants (2). Applying the simplest way of observation, changes in the frond number were recorded. As Lemna minor show a characteristical sensitivity to the different kind of chemicals, it is a promising indicator of aquatic toxicity.

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In the present study 4 hazardous wastes originated from 4 different typical industrial activities (leachates of waste oil, waste stockpiles of aluminium factory, sewage of leather industry and of the chemical industry) were examined with several Toxkit microbiotests: the Algaltoxkit, the Protoxkit, the Daphtoxkit and the Thamnotoxkit. The data obtained with the microbiotests were compared to those obtained with the standard conventional acute toxicity tests. The goal of the study was to try out the reproducibility of the tests on the same samples, prepared in the same laboratory and provided to all the participants of the interlaboratory exercise. The first reproducibility evaluation of the tests was made with the reference toxicant potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7). The outcome was that the lowest coefficients of variation were found at the Thamnotoxkit and highest with Algaltoxkit. The same findings were observed with the industrial waste samples. Different responses were obtained depending on the preparation and the character of the waste. For example, whereas a strong (and highest) toxic effect was found with the Thamnotoxkit, the algal cells in the Algaltoxkit test grew better than in the controls, when exposed to the same waste sample. The sensitivity of the Protoxkit ciliates was the lowest for all the wastes examined. In conclusion of this study, the experience gained and data obtained indicate that the Toxkit microbiotests are suited for routine monitoring after modification of some technical aspects.

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Plant organs develop mostly post-embryonically from persistent or newly formed meristems. After cell division arrest, differentiation frequently involves endoreduplication and cell enlargement. Factors controlling transition from mitotic cycles to differentiation programmes have not been identified yet in plants. Here we describe ccs52, a plant homologue of APC activators involved in mitotic cyclin degradation. The ccs52 cDNA clones were isolated from Medicago sativa root nodules, which exhibit the highest degree of endopolyploidy in this plant. ccs52 represents a small multigenic family and appears to be conserved in plants. Overexpression of ccs52 in yeast triggered mitotic cyclin degradation, cell division arrest, endoreduplication and cell enlargement. In Medicago, enhanced expression of ccs52 was found in differentiating cells undergoing endoreduplication. In transgenic M.truncatula plants, overexpression of the ccs52 gene in the antisense orientation resulted in partial suppression of ccs52 expression and decreased the number of endocycles and the volume of the largest cells. Thus, the ccs52 product may switch proliferating cells to differentiation programmes which, in the case of endocycles, result in cell size increments.

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Trends of certain mastitis markers were studied in udder quarters (n = 201) showing clinical symptoms of acute mastitis. Besides the clinical examination, before the first treatment (baseline sample), and about 3 weeks later, 17 to 24 days following the last treatment (control sample) milk samples were collected for bacteriological identification of the mastitis pathogens and for the determination of certain inflammatory markers: somatic cell count (SCC), N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) and alpha 1-antitrypsin (ATR) activities, as well as bovine serum albumin (BSA) and chloride (Cl-) concentrations. Based upon the clinical and bacteriological status as well as the SCC recorded at the control investigations, 6 groups were established (recovered, latently infected, subclinical mastitis: bacteriologically positive and negative, as well as clinical mastitis: bacteriologically positive and negative). As compared to the baseline samples, all parameters decreased in the case of recovered udder quarters, as well as in those with abated latent infection or subclinical mastitis at the time of control examination. Comparing the control samples of the different categories, characteristic differences were found in NAGase activity, indicating the grade of cytodamaging effect of mastitis. Of the other markers, ATR and Cl- proved to be more adequate for the differentiation than BSA. It can be concluded that, in addition to SCC, first of all NAGase can be recommended for use as an inflammatory parameter in pharmacodynamic studies. Besides these two parameters, ATR and Cl- can also be chosen as a possible third marker.

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