Density effects on environmental variance and expected response to selection in maize (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L.)

The study aimed to address the optimal plant population density in maize that maximizes phenotypic expression and differentiation, and lessens environmental effects on genotypic expression in terms of the response to selection. A set of seven short-season hybrids (Rom set) was tested under rainfed conditions (2006, 2007) in Romania, and a set of seven long-season hybrids (Gr set) was tested with irrigation (2007) in Greece. Experimentation was conducted under ultra-low (ULD), low (LD), middle (MD), and high (HD) densities (0.74, 2.51, 4.20, 8.40 plants/m² for the Rom set, and 0.74, 3.13, 6.25, 8.33 plants/m² for the Gr set). Phenotypic expression and differentiation for grain yield were highest at the ULD. Coefficient of variation (CV) for grain yield, ear length and kernel row number decreased as density decreased. Environmental conditions and hybrid plant-yield potential (i.e., maximum yield per plant) were crucial for the optimal density that achieved the lowest environmental variance. For the Rom set the lowest CV for grain yield was obtained at the LD in the unfavourable season and at the ULD in the favourable season. The less acquired variance was achieved at the ULD for the highest yielding hybrids and at the LD for the lowest yielding hybrids, revealing a negative association between plant-yield potential and optimal density. Concluding, a density proximal to the ULD approximates absence of competition in maize, and optimizes three determinant parameters for successful selection: selection intensity, heritability and phenotypic differentiation.     

Effect of alleviating products with different mode of action on physiology and yield of olive under drought

Two years old self-rooted Koroneiki olive trees (Olea europaea L.) were subjected to two irrigation regimes, i.e. the fully irrigated and the severely water stressed trees, while they were treated with three alleviating products of different mode of action. The products used were the osmolyte glycine betaine, the antioxidant Ambiol and the heat and irradiance reflecting kaolin clay particles. The effects of product application and water regime on leaf characteristics, shoot and root growth, photosynthesis, leaf compatible solids (carbohydrates) concentration and yield were evaluated. All products applied, exhibited significant alleviating action, based on the relative alleviation index. Irrigated trees exhibited greater growth than drought stressed ones, while the ameliorating products maintained the water content of the leaves under drought conditions and resulted in lower leaf tissue density. On the other hand carbon assimilation rate, stomatal conductance and intrinsic water use efficiency were significantly reduced under drought stress, while the opposite stood for intercellular CO₂. Drought stress resulted in elevated sucrose leaf concentration, while the application of Ambiol increased stachyose concentration and that of glycine betaine did the same with the mannitol concentration. Among the alleviating products tested in this experiment Ambiol and glycine betaine had a significant positive effect on leaf water content, photosynthesis and yield under both drought and well irrigated conditions.     

Screw withdrawal capacity used in the eccentric joints of cabinet furniture connectors in particleboard and MDF

Eccentric joints are commonly used to join particleboard and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) in cabinet furniture construction. Screws and screws with plastic sockets are offered by many manufacturers for these kinds of joints, yet little information is available concerning their withdrawal capacity in these materials. Research reported here indicates that face withdrawal strengths of the screws differ slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer in particleboard and MDF, whereas withdrawal strengths of screws with plastic sockets differ greatly from one manufacturer to another. Furthermore, the withdrawal capacity of the screws was found to correlate with the density of both particleboard and MDF.     

Aerophobin-1 from the Marine Sponge Aplysina aerophoba Modulates Osteogenesis in Zebrafish Larvae

Longer life expectancy has led to an increase in efforts directed to the discovery of new healing agents for disorders related to aging, such as bone diseases. Harboring an incredible variety of bioactive metabolites, marine organisms are standing out as fruitful sources also in this therapeutic field. On the other hand, the in vivo zebrafish model has proven to be an excellent low-cost screening platform for the fast identification of molecules able to regulate bone development. By using zebrafish larvae as a mineralization model, we have thus evaluated the effects of the crude acetonic extract from the marine sponge Aplysina aerophoba and its bromotyrosine components on bone development. Obtained results led to the selection of aerophobin-1 (1) as a promising candidate for applications in regenerative medicine, paving the way for the development of a novel therapeutic option in osteoporosis treatment.     

Assessment of the Possible Mutagenic Potential in Drinking Water Samples from Areas in SW Greece,Using the Ames Microsome Mutagenicity Assay

The mutagenic activity of thirty drinking water samples from 30 small communities in the districts of Achaia and Elia located in SW Greece as well as seven samples from the city of Patras (in the same area with 153 000 inhabitants) were examined during the years 1994–1995. The organic extract from 300–400 L of water was collected from each station and was subjected to the Ames mutagenicity assay using four genetically mutated strains of Salmonella typhimurium (TA97a, TA98, TA100, TA102) with or without metabolic acivation (10% S9). At the same time, several physicochemical characteristics of the samples were measured. Criteria for the mutagenic activity of the water samples were based on the two-fold rule and the significant non-zero slope of the linear dose response curve. In 84% of the samples at least one assay fulfilled both the two-fold rule and the significant slope and could be considered mutagenic. Thirty nine per cent (39%) of the samples were considered to show a strong mutagenic response, as in these samples the simultaneous satisfaction of the two criteria was observed in at least 3 assays out of eight. The mutagenic response was shown to be higher in chlorinated compared to untreated water samples. In the city of Patras, drinking water showed an increased mutagenic potential in comparison to an earlier study, regardless of the disinfecting process (chlorine or chlorine dioxide). The authors discuss the possibility that mutagenic activity was dependent on interaction among various organic compounds, metals and other water constituents.     

Influence of vineyard location and vine water status on fruit maturation of nonirrigated cv. Agiorgitiko (Vitis vinifera L.). Effects on wine phenolic and aroma components

The influence of site on grape and wine composition was investigated for Vitis vinifera L. cv. Agiorgitiko in the Nemea appellation area in southern Greece. Three nonirrigated plots were studied during the 1997 and 1998 vintages, which were typically very hot and without summer rainfall. Vines were subjected to different water regimens as a result of the variation of soil water-holding capacity and evaporative demand. Vine water status was determined by means of predawn leaf water potential. Differences in vine water status between sites were highly correlated with the earliness of shoot growth cessation and veraison. Grape composition was monitored during fruit ripening. Water deficit accelerated sugar accumulation and malic acid breakdown in the juice. Early water deficit during the growth period was demonstrated to have beneficial effects on the concentration of anthocyanins and total phenolics in berry skins. A similar pattern was observed for the phenolic content of wines elaborated after vinification of grapes harvested on each plot, in both seasons. Limited water availability seemed to increase glycoconjugates of the main aromatic components of grapes as a quantitative increase in levels of bound volatile compounds of the experimental wines was observed under water deficit in both years. Wines produced from grapes of stressed vineyards were also preferred in tasting trials.     

Antifouling Activity of Halogenated Compounds Derived from the Red Alga Sphaerococcus coronopifolius: Potential for the Development of Environmentally Friendly Solutions

Nowadays, biofouling is responsible for enormous economic losses in the maritime sector, and its treatment with conventional antifouling paints is causing significant problems to the environment. Biomimetism and green chemistry approaches are very promising research strategies for the discovery of new antifouling compounds. This study focused on the red alga Sphaerococcus coronopifolius, which is known as a producer of bioactive secondary metabolites. Fifteen compounds, including bromosphaerol (1), were tested against key marine biofoulers (five marine bacteria and three microalgae) and two enzymes associated with the adhesion process in macroalgae and invertebrates. Each metabolite presented antifouling activity against at least one organism/enzyme. This investigation also revealed that two compounds, sphaerococcinol A (4) and 14R-hydroxy-13,14-dihydro-sphaerococcinol A (5), were the most potent compounds without toxicity towards oyster larvae used as non-target organisms. These compounds are of high potential as they are active towards key biofoulers and could be produced by a cultivable alga, a fact that is important from the green chemistry point of view.     

First report of the nipa palm hispid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Octodonta nipae</Emphasis> on queen palms in Cyprus

In December 2009, numerous adults and larvae of the nipa palm hispid Octodonta nipae (Maulik) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) were found for the first time on the island of Cyprus, in unopened young leaves of Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman palm species. All infested palms of this species evinced serious decline with all young leaves showing signs of attack, but the beetles and larvae themselves were found only in fronds from the central shoot.     

Cytologic patterns of lymphadenopathy in dogs infected with Leishmania infantum

BACKGROUND: Lymphadenopathy in canine leishmaniosis has been reported as reactive lymphoid hyperplasia or granulomatous (histiocytic) lymphadenitis. However, we are unaware of information on the effect of latent Leishmania infection on lymph node cytology compared with clinically affected dogs. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate cytologic patterns of lymphadenopathy in dogs with clinical and subclinical forms of leishmaniosis and to correlate cytologic findings with the density of Leishmania amastigotes in fine needle aspiration (FNA) smears. METHODS: FNA cytology of prescapular or popliteal lymph nodes was evaluated on 32 dogs with clinical evidence of leishmaniosis (group A), 24 subclinically infected dogs (group B), and 17 clinically healthy noninfected dogs (group C); groups were based on the results of serologic and PCR tests for Leishmania sp. Differential nucleated cell counts (based on 300 cells) and amastigote density were determined microscopically. Cytologic findings were categorized and compared among groups. RESULTS: Cytologic abnormalities were found in 19 of 32 (59.4%) dogs in group A, 1 of 24 (4.2%) dogs in group B, and 2 of 17 (11.8%) dogs in group C and were significantly more frequent in group A than group B (P <.001) or C (P = .001). In group A, 68.7% of the dogs had lymphoid hyperplasia, 12.5% had lymphoid hyperplasia and histiocytic lymphadenitis, 6.3% had histiocytic lymphadenitis, and 3.1% had lymphoid hyperplasia and neutrophilic lymphadenitis. Lymphoid hyperplasia was also noted in 1 dog in group B, and lymphoid hyperplasia and eosinophilic lymphadenitis were each found in 1 dog in group C. Lymph node smears from 31 (96.9%) dogs in group A and 6 (25%) dogs in group B were positive for Leishmania amastigotes; however, no correlation was found between the density of amastigotes and cytopathologic patterns of lymphadenopathy. CONCLUSION: Abnormal lymph node cytology is much more common in dogs with clinical leishmaniosis than in dogs with subclinical infection, and primarily involves lymphoid hyperplasia. Despite finding no association between the density of amastigotes and type of lymphadenopathy, lymph node cytology still is a valuable diagnostic tool for diagnosing canine leishmaniosis.