Nutrients in litterfall,forest floor and mineral soils in two adjacent forest ecosystems in Greece

The fluxes of masses and the nutrients Ca,Mg,K,N,P and S were determined in the litterfall of two adjacent forest ecosystems of Hungarian oak(Quercus frainetto L.)and European beech(Fagus sylvatica L.)in a mountainous area of northeastern Greece in 2010–2015.The foliar litterfall for both species reached about 70%of the total litterfall,and was significantly higher from the other two fractions(woody and rest litterfall).The fluxes of masses and nutrients were compared between ecosystems for each fraction separately.Only one significant statistical difference was found,that of K in the woody litterfall.In addition,the stocks of masses and nutrients were calculated in the forest floors and mineral soils of the two ecosystems.Likewise,the stocks of nutrients in the forest floors and mineral soils were compared between ecosystems.In the L horizon of the forest floors,statistical differences,as a result of species effect,were found for the stocks of Ca and N.In the FH horizons,the masses and all the nutrient stocks differed significantly,as the beech plot had much higher quantities of organic matter and nutrients.These higher quantities were probably due to low soil temperatures(microclimate)and high acidity in the beech plot(species effect)that slowed down decomposition.In the mineral soils,the propagation of random error derived from random errors of the individual soil layers was an important factor in the statistical comparisons.Because of the soil acidity in the beech plot,the stocks of exchangeable base cations were significantly higher in the oak plot,whereas the other nutrient stocks did not differ.     

Effects of understorey vegetation on tree establishment and growth in a silvopastoral system in northern Greece

The interaction between understorey plants and trees in a young silvopastoral system was studied in a sub-humid Mediterranean environment with cold winters in northern Greece. The experimental design was a split-split plot with three replications and included: three understorey treatments (grass, legume and control), two tree species (Acer pseudoplatanus and Pinus sylvestris) and two spacings (2.5×2.5 m and 3.5×3.5 m). The competition between herbaceous plants and trees resulted in significant differentiation in tree growth while their spacing did not produce any significant differences. The influence of trees on herbage yield either by plant species or spacing was not significant. During the early stages of establishment, a significant positive correlation was observed between sycamore growth and soil moisture, leaf weight, leaf area and leaf number as well as nitrogen and potassium concentration in leaves. Six years after planting the height increase of the sycamore trees was largest in the control treatment (415%), lowest in the grass treatment (134%) and intermediate (192%) in the legume treatment. Much higher was the increase obtained for the diameter, 161%, 207% and 536% respectively for the grass, legume and control treatments. The Scots pine trees grew faster than sycamore over the course of the experiment. Height increased by 397%, 351% and 400% and diameter by 518%, 443% and 683% respectively for the grass, legume and control treatments. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Extremely low temperature fermentations of grape must by potato-supported yeast, strain AXAZ-1. A contribution is performed for catalysis of alcoholic fermentation

This investigation announces the use of potato pieces as a suitable support for cell immobilization resulting in extremely low temperature wine making. The results showed an increase of the total esters by immobilized cells and reduction of higher alcohols. Likewise, percentages of total esters on total volatiles were increased by the drop in temperature, while percentages of higher alcohols were reduced in wines. Kinetics experiments at different temperatures allowed the calculation of activation energy (Ea) and showed reduction in the case of immobilized cells as compared with free cells. These results may lead to the conclusion that the increased productivities that are obtained by immobilized cells, can be attributed to the catalytic activity by the support to enzymes, which are involved in the process. Biocatalysts were prepared by immobilization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, strain AXAZ-1, on whole potatoes and potato pieces, and their efficiency for alcoholic repeated batch fermentations of glucose and grape must in the range 2-30 degrees C was examined. To study the operational stability of biocatalyst, 35 repeated batch fermentations of grape must were performed without any significant reduction of the fermentation activity. Wines were analyzed for volatile byproducts determination by GC and GC-MS.     

Leukocyte counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from normal and Maedi–Visna‐infected sheep

Background: Bronchoalveolar lavage has proven helpful for the diagnosis of certain ovine diseases of the lungs. There is insufficient data concerning the leukocyte profile of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from MaediVisna infected sheep. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the differential leukocyte profile of BALF associated with Maedi virus infection in sheep and to determine whether cytologic examination of BALF is an effective way to diagnose Maedi or determine the severity of lung lesions. Methods: BALF and serum samples were analyzed from 400 sheep. Sediment smears of bronchoalveolar lavage were stained with Diff‐Quik and examined microscopically to obtain a 200‐cell differential cell count. Serum was tested using a commercial kit for Maedi–Visna virus antibodies. Lung samples obtained at the time of slaughter were weighed and examined histologically. Results: Maedi‐infected sheep (n=267; seropositive with lung lesions) had a significantly higher percentage of lymphocytes and lower percentage of macrophages in BALF than normal sheep (n=133; seronegative and no lung lesions). These differences were significantly more severe in animals with advanced vs moderate lung lesions. Using classification trees, a cut‐off of 13.5% lymphocytes was predictive of Maedi infection and a cut‐off of 24.5% lymphocytes was predictive of advanced lung lesions. Conclusions: Cytologic examination of BALF is useful for the clinical diagnosis of Maedi in sheep and provides important information about the severity of the lung lesions.     

A Spatially and Temporally Disaggregated Anthropogenic Emission Inventory in the Southern Balkan Region

ICP Forest Monitoring data collected for more than 10 years made it possible to analyse key factors responsible for changes in forest conditions on a regional European scale. Observation routines may vary between different countries, which makes it difficult to gain more insight into stress-effect relationships. The effects on defoliation of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) of air concentrations and wet deposition of acidifying compounds, as well as effects of meteorological, site, stand and tree variables were investigated in Lithuania to test the hypothesis that spatial and temporal changes in pine defoliation were closely associated with atmospheric inputs of acidity. Over the period 1994–2004 crown defoliation of more than 8,000 pine trees was monitored in totally 45 stands distributed among three National Parks, where Integrated Monitoring Stations were situated. Air concentrations of SO2, and $ {\text{SO}}^{{{\text{2 - }}}}_{{\text{4}}} $ and $ {\text{NH}}^{{\text{ + }}}_{{\text{4}}} $ deposition, as well as spring and summer precipitation and mean winter temperature were shown to be the key factors affecting defoliation. The acidifying compounds accounted for nearly 58% of the variance in pine defoliation. Meteorological factors increased the degree of explanation to 65%, and stand and site variables to 79%.     

Efficient synthesis of (+/-)-4-methyloctanoic acid, aggregation pheromone of rhinoceros beetles of the genus Oryctes (Coleoptera: Dynastidae, Scarabaeidae)

(+/-)-4-Methyloctanoic acid and its ethyl ester are aggregation pheromones of many rhinoceros beetles of the genus Oryctes and are investigated for the control of these pests by olfactory trapping. A simple, economical, and high-yield (>50%) synthesis of (+/-)-4-methyloctanoic acid and its ethyl ester is presented starting from n-hexanal. The key step in this sequence is an orthoester Claisen rearrangement for the elongation of the carbon chain by two.     

Lipid metabolism and hyperlipidemia in dogs

Lipid metabolism in dogs can be divided into exogenous and endogenous pathways and exhibits some unique characteristics compared to other species. Hyperlipidemia is common in dogs, and can be either primary or secondary to other diseases. Secondary hyperlipidemia is the most common form and can be a result of endocrine disorders, pancreatitis, cholestasis, protein-losing nephropathy, obesity, and high fat diets. Primary hyperlipidemia is less common and usually associated with certain breeds. Hypertriglyceridemia of Miniature Schnauzers is the most common type of primary hyperlipidemia in dogs in the United States, and appears to have a genetic basis although its etiology remains unknown. Possible complications of canine hyperlipidemia include pancreatitis, liver disease, atherosclerosis, ocular disease, and seizures. Management is achieved by administration of low fat diets with or without the administration of lipid-lowering agents such as omega-3 fatty acids, gemfibrozil, and niacin.     

Dipstick test for DNA-based food authentication. Application to coffee authenticity assessment

This paper reports DNA-based food authenticity assays, in which species identification is accomplished by the naked eye without the need of specialized instruments. Strongly colored nanoparticles (gold nanoparticles) are employed as reporters that enable visual detection. Furthermore, detection is performed in a low-cost, disposable, dipstick-type device that incorporates the required reagents in dry form, thereby avoiding multiple pipetting and incubation steps. Due to its simplicity, the method does not require highly qualified personnel. The procedure comprises the following steps: (i) PCR amplification of the DNA segment that flanks the unique SNP (species marker); (ii) a 15 min extension reaction in which DNA polymerase extends an allele-specific primer only if it is perfectly complementary with the target sequence; (iii) detection of the products of the extension reaction within a few minutes by the naked eye employing the dipstick. No purification is required prior to application of the extension products to the dipstick. The method is general and requires only a unique DNA sequence for species discrimination. The only instrument needed is a conventional thermocycler for PCR, which is common equipment in every DNA laboratory. As a model, the method was applied to the discrimination of Coffea robusta and arabica species in coffee authenticity assessment. As low as 5% of Robusta coffee can be detected in the presence of Arabica coffee.     

Ulcerative gingival granuloma: a condition for bone biopsy

Osteomyelitis as a medical term defining a specific type of infection may be classified in acute and chronic form. In our case an acute mandibular osteomyelitis is reported with evaluation of the clinical and histological examination. The biological course of the disease determined on that basis. The significance of this report focused on the early diagnosis and the possible need for bone biopsy.