Evaluation of the effectiveness of an ointment based on Alkannins/Shikonins on second intention wound healing in the dog

The enantiomeric naphthoquinones alkannins and shikonins (A/S) have been established as potent wound healing agents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an A/S based ointment for humans on second intention wound healing in the dog, as compared to wound flushing with Lactated Ringer's solution (LRS). Ten mixed breed dogs, aged 2 to 5 y, were used. One 2.5 × 2.5 cm full-thickness skin defect was created on the lateral aspect of each arm for subjective evaluation, laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF), and planimetry. Additionally, 3 matching 2 × 2 cm wounds were created on opposite sides of the dorsal midline for histologic evaluation. Wounds were treated once daily with the A/S based ointment on the right side and by flushing with LRS on the left until healed (about 20 d). During the healing process, tissue perfusion (mean LDF value) was found to be significantly higher on the side treated with the A/S based ointment compared with the LRS-treated side. Histologically, angiogenesis (on days 4 and 11), collagen production score (on days 4, 11, and 20), and epithelial thickness score (on day 11) were significantly higher in the wounds treated with the A/S based ointment. Wound size, as evaluated by planimetry, decreased significantly from day 0 to day 20 on both sides, but no significant differences were found between the A/S based ointment and LRS-treated wounds.     

The role of impulse on the initiation of particle movement under turbulent flow conditions

Fundamental to our understanding of erosional and transport phenomena in earth-surface dynamics and engineering is knowledge of the conditions under which sediment motion will begin when subjected to turbulent flow. The onset criterion currently in use emphasizes the time-averaged boundary shear stress and therefore is incapable of accounting for the fluctuating forces encountered in turbulent flows. We have validated through laboratory experiments and analytical formulation of the problem a criterion based upon the impulse imparted to a sediment grain. We demonstrate that in addition to the magnitude of the instantaneous turbulent forces applied on a sediment grain, the duration of these turbulent forces is also important in determining the sediment grain's threshold of motion, and that their product, or impulse, is better suited for specifying such conditions.     

Evaluation of the thermally dried immobilized cells of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus on apple pieces as a potent starter culture

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of thermal drying of immobilized Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus on apple pieces on the use of the derived biocatalyst in whey fermentation. The thermally dried immobilized biocatalyst was compared to wet and freeze-dried immobilized cells, in respect to maintenance of cell viability and fermentation efficiency. The thermal drying process appeared to be more efficient on survival rate as an 84% of the cells used for immobilization survived the process, while the freeze-drying process led to a 78% rate. The thermally dried immobilized biocatalyst was used in 12 repeated batch fermentations of synthetic lactose medium and whey at 37, 45, and 50 degrees C in order to evaluate its metabolic activity. The high number of repeated batch fermentations showed a tendency for high operational stability. Fermentations continued for up to 2 months without any significant loss of metabolic activity. SPME GC/MS analysis of aroma-related compounds revealed the distinctive character of fermented whey produced by the thermally dried immobilized bacterium cells. The effect of storage at 4-6 degrees C for up to 165 days of the biocatalyst, held directly after drying and after repeated batch fermentations, on fermentation activity was also studied. After storage, reactivation in whey was immediate, and the immobilized biocatalyst was able to produce up to 51.7 g/L lactic acid at 37 degrees C. The potential of thermally dried immobilized L. delbrueckii as a starter culture for food production was subsequently evaluated.     

Multilobular tumour of the caudal cranium causing severe cerebral and cerebellar compression in a dog

Multilobular tumour of bone (MTB) is an uncommon tumour and is usually located in the skull. A 13-year-old mixed breed dog was presented with a two-week history of progressively worsening vestibular dysfunction and cognitive abnormalities; it appeared demented and showed asymmetric ataxia and hypermetria of all limbs. The owner opted to have the animal euthanised. Necropsy revealed a large mass occupying the right occipital, parietal and temporal bones, severely compressing the cerebellum and the right occipital lobe. Histologically, it was characterised by the presence of multiple lobules containing osteoid or cartilage and separated by fibrous septae, features typical of MTB. Lung metastases were evident. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an MTB causing both severe cerebral and cerebellar compression and the second detailed report of an MTB of the occipital bone. MTB should be included in the differential diagnosis of bone tumours as well as in cases with central vestibular disease.     

Production of hard-type cheese using free or immobilized freeze-dried kefir cells as a starter culture

This study provides a contribution to hard-type cheese starter culture production through the use of a freeze-dried culture in the ripening of hard-type cheeses. The effect of initial cell concentration, ripening temperature, and cell immobilization of kefir on the degree of openness, mold spoilage, microbial associations, physicochemical characteristics, and aroma-related compounds was studied. Use of kefir starter cultures resulted in cheese with an increased shelf life and resistance to spoilage as compared to control cheeses without kefir inoculants. Furthermore, the freeze-dried kefir culture improved aroma, taste, and texture characteristics while increasing the degree of openness in comparison to traditional hard-type cheese products. The kefir culture resulted in an increase in counts of total aerobic bacteria, yeasts and molds, lactococci, and lactobacilli until the 15th day of ripening. From then on, only lactobacilli counts increased, reaching levels up to 9.17 log CFU/g in cheeses ripened at 5 degrees C using freeze-dried kefir cells immobilized on casein. SPME-GC/MS analysis revealed major differences in volatile composition, especially with regard to alcohols (up to 75%), carbonyl compounds (up to 75%), and esters (up to 64%) between cheeses made with kefir cells and cheeses made without kefir inoculants.     

Sod establishment and turfgrass growth as affected by urea–formaldehyde resin foam soil amendment

Urea–formaldehyde resin foam (UFRF) has recently been introduced as a soil amendment for turfgrass culture. A field study was performed to evaluate the impact of UFRF on soil physical and chemical properties, sod establishment and turfgrass shoot and root growth. Treatments included a non-amended, sandy loam soil and the same soil amended with UFRF at a rate of 20% (v/v) incorporated into the upper 0.1 m of the substrate. Physical and chemical analyses of the two substrates involved the determination of bulk density, total porosity, air-filled porosity at 0.4 m, moisture release curve, pH and electrical conductivity. Turfgrass growth was determined through several measurements that included shoot growth rate, root growth rate and monitoring of three root architecture parameters namely, total root length, total root area and mean root diameter. Turfgrass establishment was evaluated by measuring the vertical force applied to detach the sod from the substrate.UFRF amendment did not influence pH and EC and provided minimal alterations (non-significant) in soil physical properties by slightly increasing total porosity, easily available water and air-filled porosity, and by reducing bulk density. The impact of UFRF amendment improved cumulative clipping yield in five sampling dates but root growth and sod establishment rate were better than the control only on one sampling date. There appears to be limited benefit in amending soil with UFRF.     

An adaptive approach to intensive green roofs in the Mediterranean climatic region

The present study aims to introduce an adaptive approach to intensive green roofs by evaluating suitable, lightweight substrates and by determining the effect of their depth on the growth and physiological status of Pittosporum tobira L. and Olea europaea L. The two-year study was conducted in outdoor containers (1.2 m × 1.2 m) while treatments included the use of two depths (30 cm and 40 cm) and three different substrates: (a) pumice (Pum) mixed with peat (P) and zeolite (Z) in a volumetric proportion of 65:30:5 (Pum₆₅:P₃₀:Z₅), (b) pumice mixed with compost (C) and zeolite in a volumetric proportion of 65:30:5 (Pum₆₅:C₃₀:Z₅) and (c) sandy loam soil (S) mixed with perlite (Per) and zeolite in a volumetric proportion of 30:65:5 (S₃₀:Per₆₅:Z₅). Each experimental plot was planted with four plants of P. tobira and one plant of O. europaea var. Koroneiki. Measurements included determination of the physical and chemical characteristics of the substrates while plant growth and physiological status were determined through plant growth index, trunk perimeter for olive trees, SPAD measurements and chlorophyll_a+b content. Both the plant species exhibited better growth and higher chlorophyll content in the compost-amended substrate (Pum₆₅:C₃₀:Z₅) due to its higher nutrient content. The 40 cm depth substrate provided minimal improvement in the growth of both the plants at the end of the first year while in the second year the deeper substrate positively influenced the growth of olive trees.     

Adjuvant regulation of cytokine profile and antibody isotype of immune responses to Mycoplasma agalactiae in mice

Traditionally, adjuvants have been administered with antigens to enhance immunity. We studied the effect of several adjuvants such as Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA), Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), homopolymers of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) and polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid (poly A:U), lithium chloride (LiCl), saponin Quil A and calcium phosphate gel (CaHPO(4)) on the immune response of mice to formalin-inactivated Mycoplasma agalactiae. The specific antibody or cytokine producing splenocytes were detected by ELISAspot and immunocytochemistry, respectively. Depending on the adjuvant given, the number of M. agalactiae-specific antibody producing cells was increased 2.5-6-fold. IgG was the major class of M. agalactiae-specific antibodies followed by IgM, IgA and IgE. Among IgG isotypes, FCA, FIA, Quil A and CaHPO(4) induced an IgG1 response with substantial increase of the IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG3 isotypes while poly I:C shifted the response toward an IgG2a/IgG3 production. Finally, poly A:U induced an IgG2b response while LPS and LiCl augmented the IgG3/IgG1/IgG2a secretion. FCA augmented IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 production suggesting a strong Th2 response, while IFN-gamma and IL-12 remained low; poly I:C enhanced IFN-gamma, IL-12 and TNF-alpha eliciting a Th1 response; poly A:U resulted in a IL-10, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-12 secretion; and LPS enhanced the IL-10, IL-6 and TNF-alpha production. Our data show that adjuvants augment M. agalactiae-specific antibody production and lead to B cell isotype-switching via the appropriate cytokine milieu. Certain adjuvants, such as poly I:C, therefore, appear as promising immune enhancers for vaccination against M. agalactiae infections.     

Evaluation of Rhizobium mdiloti Strains Isolated from Indigenous Populations in Northern Greece

Eight different Rhizobium meliloti strains (designated as strains 3, 6, 8, 15, 17, 18, 19 and 22) were isolated from fields cultivated with alfalfa. The growth characteristics of the isolated strains under different NaCl concentrations were investigated. Strains 15 and 22 showed marked tolerance to high NaCl concentration.
Symbiosis of one alfalfa variety ( Medicago sativa cv. Ipati ) inoculated with these strains showed marked differences in nitrogen fixing characteristics (nodule number, dry weight and total nitrogen content). Strains 8, 15 and 22 demonstrated the best performance with respect to all characteristics examined.
The supply of low levels of nitrate to inoculated alfalfa plants affected all the nitrogen fixing characteristics. Nodule number per plant decreased and the ranking of the different strains with respect to nodule number was altered. Dry weight was significantly increased by the supply of the nitrate, even in the case of symbioses with the highly effective strains 8, 15 and 22. Total nitrogen content was increased by the supply of nitrate. This increase was higher in plants inoculated with the less effective strains.     

Regeneration dynamics of a mixed Mediterranean pine forest in the absence of fire

The aim of this study is to determine the competing regeneration and expansion patterns of two co-occurring pine species (Pinus brutia, Pinus nigra ssp. pallasiana), in a transitional montane Mediterranean zone. We measured the regeneration density of all woody species in 102 randomly located stands along an altitudinal gradient on the island of Lesbos, Greece. Individuals of pines were assigned to different size classes. Topographic factors (altitude, aspect, and soil depth) and light availability (through hemispherical photographs) were measured for each stand. Statistical analyses were applied to explore the effect of each factor on recruitment density of the competing pine species, and to elucidate patterns of interaction. Canopy openness was the most important parameter controlling the recruitment of P. brutia, while the regeneration density of P. nigra was mainly related to canopy openness and heat load. An idiosyncratic response of the recruitment vigour of the two species was identified along gradients of shade and drought stress. The decline in P. nigra recruitment density with drought conditions underlines threats to its population maintenance even in the absence of fire. On the other hand P. brutia seems to be a stronger invader in transitional zones. The studied species could be considered typical representatives of the two most widely distributed pine functional types across the Mediterranean basin, and our results agree with the theoretical ability of such species to maintain and expand their populations.