Integration of BpMADS4 on various linkage groups improves the utilization of the rapid cycle breeding system in apple.

Rapid cycle breeding in apple is a new approach for the rapid introgression of agronomically relevant traits (e.g. disease resistances) from wild apple species into domestic apple cultivars (Malus × domestica Borkh.). This technique drastically shortens the long-lasting juvenile phase of apple. The utilization of early-flowering apple lines overexpressing the BpMADS4 gene of the European silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) in hybridization resulted in one breeding cycle per year. Aiming for the selection of non-transgenic null segregants at the end of the breeding process, the flower-inducing transgene and the gene of interest (e.g. resistance gene) that will be introgressed by hybridization need to be located on different chromosomes. To improve the flexibility of the existing approach in apple, this study was focused on the development and characterization of eleven additional BpMADS4 overexpressing lines of four different apple cultivars. In nine lines, the flowering gene was mapped to different linkage groups. The differences in introgressed T-DNA sequences and plant genome deletions post-transformation highlighted the unique molecular character of each line. However, transgenic lines demonstrated no significant differences in flower organ development and pollen functionality compared with non-transgenic plants. Hybridization studies using pollen from the fire blight-resistant wild species accession Malus fusca MAL0045 and the apple scab-resistant cultivar 'Regia' indicated that BpMADS4 introgression had no significant effect on the breeding value of each transgenic line.

Highly porous metal-organic framework containing a novel organosilicon linker--a promising material for hydrogen storage.

The synthesis and characterization of the new metal-organic framework PCN-12-Si (isoreticular to PCN-12) is reported. PCN-12-Si comprises dicopper paddle-wheel units located at the vertices of a cuboctahedron, which are connected by the new linker 5,5'-(dimethylsilanediyl)diisophthalate (dmsdip). The microporous MOF has a high specific surface area of S(BET) = 2430 m(2) g(-1) and a high specific micropore volume of V(p) = 0.93 cm(3) g(-1) (p/p(0) = 0.18). The activated form of PCN-12-Si shows a remarkable hydrogen storage capacity. Volumetric low pressure hydrogen physisorption isotherms at 77 K reveal an uptake of 2.6 wt % H(2) at 1 bar. Furthermore, results of theoretical GCMC simulations of hydrogen adsorption are presented. The simulated low pressure isotherm is in excellent agreement with the experimental one. Simulations for the high pressure regime predict an excess hydrogen uptake of 4.8 wt % at 30 bar, which corresponds to an absolute amount adsorbed of 5.5 wt %. In addition, the potential field of H(2) inside PCN-12-Si was derived from the simulations and analyzed in detail, providing valuable insights concerning the preferred adsorption sites on an atomic scale.

Tissue distribution of mirtazapine and desmethylmirtazapine in a case of mirtazapine poisoning.

An ingestion of an unknown quantity of mirtazapine in a suicide attempt leading to death is described. Sertraline and amitriptyline have been co-ingested. Because mirtazapine is reported to be relatively safe in overdose, body fluids and tissues were investigated for both mirtazapine and desmethylmirtazapine by high-pressure liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry following liquid-liquid extraction. The limit of detection was sufficiently low to also apply the assay in pharmacokinetic studies. The levels of amitriptyline and nortriptyline were very low (38 and 19 ng/mL femoral venous blood) and the amount of sertraline in blood taken from the femoral vein (880 ng/mL) was considerably lower than those seen in overdosage. Accumulation of mirtazapine and N-desmethylmirtazapine was evident in fluids and tissues involved in enterohepatic circulation and excretion. The concentration determined in a brain sample suggests a contribution of the metabolite to the drug's pharmacodynamic activity. Based on literature data, significant adverse or synergistic effects among the drugs detected as well as adverse reactions such as a serotonin reaction appeared less probable. Mirtazapine exhibits alpha(1)-antagonistic properties on the cardiac-vascular system and may cause hyponatraemia. In the face of the cardiac findings at autopsy and the lack of an apparent cause of death, these effects of mirtazapine may have initiated a process leading to death.