Influence of variety and weather conditions on fatty acid composition of winter and spring Camelina sativa varieties in Poland
EUROPEAN FOOD RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
Authors: Kurasiak-Popowska, Danuta; Graczyk, Malgorzata; Przybylska-Balcerek, Anna; Stuper-Szablewska, Kinga
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the influence of weather conditions over the course of 4 years (2016-2019) on the fatty acid profile of Camelina sativa. It was assumed that varieties and functional forms of plants (spring and winter genotypes) were characterized by a different fatty acid composition and that weather conditions affected the profile of fatty acids in camelina seeds. Statistical analyses were performed based on the results of chemical tests. Differences were found in the mean concentrations of C18:3n3, C18:3n6, C20:2 and C22:1 acids in all genotypes based on the Kruskal test. Two winter genotypes (Maczuga and 15/2/3) and the spring genotype UP2017/02 had the significantly highest content of C18:3n6. Genotypes CSS-CAM31, CSS-CAM30, BRSCHW 28347, CSS-CAM36 and Kirgzkij showed the highest content of C18:3n3. The lowest C18:3n3 content was found in winter genotypes: K9/1, 15/2/3, Przybrodzka (winter form) and C5. It was found that weather conditions deviating from the long-term average, both in terms of temperature and precipitation, did not affect the quantitative profile of fatty acids. Over the 4 years, no differences were observed in the fatty acid profile between the spring and winter forms. Observations made in this study allow to state that spring and winter forms of Camelina sativa retain a constant fatty acid composition regardless of changing weather conditions.
The cytokine profile of menstrual blood
ACTA OBSTETRICIA ET GYNECOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA
Authors: Crona Guterstam, Ylva; Strunz, Benedikt; Ivarsson, Martin A.; Zimmer, Christine; Melin, Anna-Sofia; Jonasson, Aino F.; Bjorkstrom, Niklas K.; Gidlof, Sebastian B.
Abstract
Introduction The menstrual cycle is regulated by a complex interplay between endometrial epithelial cells, endothelial cells, immune cells, and sex hormones. To communicate, cells secrete cytokines that have multiple and diverse effects on recipient cells. Knowledge of how these cells interact in the uterus is insufficient. Menstrual blood is easily accessible and provides a source to study menstrual cycle physiology. This study aimed to determine the cytokine profile in menstrual blood plasma and investigate the differences in cytokine profiles between menstrual and peripheral blood plasma. Several previous studies indicate an improved chance of embryo implantation after endometrial scratching. Consequently, our secondary aim was to compare the menstrual blood cytokine profile before and after luteal phase endometrial scratching. Material and methods Nineteen healthy donors collected menstrual blood for the first 24 hours of menstruation in two sequential cycles. Matched peripheral blood was taken at the same time. An endometrial biopsy was performed at cycle day 7-9 post ovulation in between the two collection times. A Luminex multiplex assay was performed in one batch analyzing a predetermined group of cytokines in plasma. Results Peripheral blood plasma and menstrual blood plasma showed substantial significant differences in cytokine profile. In menstrual blood plasma, C5/C5a, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1 beta, and CXCL8 were detected in high concentrations, whereas IL-2, IL-12p70, XCL1/Lymphotactin, and interferon-gamma were low. The most pronounced median differences between menstrual and peripheral blood plasma were found for IL-6, IL-1 beta, and CXCL8. The cytokine profiles of menstrual blood plasma were similar between the individual donors and did not differ over two subsequent cycles. None of the cytokines analyzed in menstrual blood plasma differed significantly before or after luteal phase endometrial scratching (P < .01). Conclusions Our results demonstrate that the menstrual blood cytokine profile is distinctly different from peripheral blood plasma and that the inter-individual difference in menstrual blood cytokine profile in healthy donors is limited and stable over time. The small injury caused by an endometrial biopsy does not change the cytokine profile in the subsequent menstrual cycle. Our study provides new insights into menstrual cycle physiology.