The software KaryoType, an improved and completely renewed version of the previously existing NucType, was developed for plant chromosomes. The primary function of the software is to allow efficient chromosome measurements and karyotype analysis from microphotographs. Karyotype characterization usually includes chromosome number, size, arm ratio, centromeric index, relative lengths and karyotype formula. Moreover, KaryoType is also capable of measuring karyotype asymmetry indices such as CVCL, CVCI and MCA, and can recognize chromosome homologues based on chromosome length and arm ratio automatically or manually. This program runs on Windows 7 and above and Mac OS X and is freely available at the website of the University of Sichuan (http://mnh.scu.edu.cn/soft/blog/karyotype/).

Until now, basic karyological parameters have been used in different ways by researchers to infer karyological relationships among organisms. In the present study, we propose a standardized approach to this aim, integrating six different, not redundant, parameters in a multivariate PCoA analysis. These parameters are chromosome number, basic chromosome number, total haploid chromosome length, MCA (Mean Centromeric Asymmetry), CVCL (Coefficient of Variation of Chromosome Length) and CVCI (Coefficient of Variation of Centromeric Index). The method is exemplified with the application to several plant taxa, and its significance and limits are discussed in the light of current phylogenetic knowledge of these groups.

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In this study, the karyotypes of mitotic chromosomes were determined of seven taxa of Salvia (Lamiaceae) collected from their natural habitats in Turkey: S. viridis (2n = 16), S. candidissima subsp. occidentalis (2n = 20), S. sclarea, S. ceratophylla, S. chionantha (2n = 22), S. viscosa and S. verticillata subsp. amasiaca (2n = 32). The karyotype formulae were 5m+3sm in S. viridis, 2M+5m+3sm in S. candidissima subsp. occidentalis, 1M+10m in S. sclarea, 8m+3sm in S. ceratophylla, 7m+4sm in S. chionantha, 9m+5sm+2st in S. viscosa, and 15m+1sm in S. verticillata subsp. amasiaca by the karyotype image analysis system. Somatic chromosome numbers ranged from 2n = 16 to 2n = 32. The ideograms were drawn based on centromeric index and arranged in decreasing size order. The present results were compared with the previous cytological studies in the genus.

Summary Background Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease characterized by increased sebum production, inflammation, and colonization of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) on pilosebaceous follicles. Aims To determine the efficacy of two different plant extracts against P. acnes and to analyze the gene expression levels of IL‐1α, SRD5A1, and TNFα in HaCaT cells treated with these plant extracts. Methods Anti‐acne extract 1 (AE1) consisted of Juglans regia (walnut husk), Myrtus communis (myrtle leaves), Matricaria chamomilla (chamomilla flowers), Urtica dioica (stinging nettle leaves), and Rosa damascena (rose flowers). Anti‐acne extract 2 (AE2) contained Brassica oleracea var. botrytis (broccoli) and B. oleracea var. italica (cauliflower). The antimicrobial activities of the extracts were tested on two different P. acnes strains: the reference strain of P. acnes (ATCC 51277) and the clinical isolate from a patient. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts was determined using the broth dilution method. Human keratinocyte cells were used for in vitro tests. Gene expression analyses were performed with RT‐qPCR. Results The MIC values of the extracts were below 1/2048 µg/mL. In the gene expression analysis, AE1 increased the expression level of TNFα (1.1719, P < 0.0001), suppressed the expression level of IL‐1α, SRD5A1 (0.0588, P = 0.0231; 0.3081, P = 0.0351), respectively. AE2 suppressed gene expression level of IL‐1α, SRD5A1, TNFα (0.3815, P = 0.0254; 0.3418, P = 0.0271; 0.1997, P = 0.0623). Conclusions Both herbal extracts demonstrated strong antibacterial and anti‐inflammatory activity in this preliminary trial. In conclusion, the topical application of these botanical extracts can be good candidates for local acne treatment.