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.     

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.     

Production economics of the emerging private fish farming industry in Bulgaria

The production economics of the emerging Bulgarian private carp and trout farming industry were assessed by surveying a representative sample of 20 private and state-controlled farms as well as visiting the National Fresh Water Fish Research Institute, the state-owned fish feed production plant and a fish processing plant.The major constraints for the development of profitable fish farming were found to be the lack of capital and the insecurity of tenure, which nonetheless, do not serve to discourage new entrants into the industry. The expected gross margin per tonne of carp produced in reservoirs or earth ponds is USD 487, while a tonne of trout farmed in concrete raceways shows a gross margin figure of USD 525. State-owned trout farms are only available for outright purchase at auctions, whereas carp farms may be rented, but only for a short term.Fish farmers could benefit from organizing themselves into producer groups in order to improve marketing and secure quality inputs. In particular, there is scope to source quality dry fish diets on both economic and environmental grounds.An extension advisory service is needed to support inexperienced new entrants and researchers should urgently evaluate what seem to be the most cost-effective methods of production.     

Organophosphate resistance in olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae, populations in Greece and Cyprus

The olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is the most important pest of olives in countries around the Mediterranean basin. Its control has been based mostly on bait sprays with organophosphate insecticides (usually dimethoate or fenthion) for about 40 years. In the present study, the resistance status of olive fruit fly populations to dimethoate was examined in Greece and Cyprus over 2 years. Thirty-one populations from various regions of Greece, nine from Cyprus and one laboratory susceptible strain, which served as a control, were assayed by topical application of dimethoate. Considerable variation in the resistance levels to dimethoate was recorded in the populations of B. oleae, with resistance ratios ranging from 6.3 to 64.4 (ED(50) values 12.5-128.7 ng dimethoate per insect). The highest resistance ratios were found in populations from Crete, and the lowest in those from Cyprus. This variation could be attributed to different selection pressures from insecticidal applications among populations from the various regions. Migration of resistant genotypes, either autonomous or via commerce, may also be involved.     

Characterizing NAD-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes of Methylobacterium extorquens and strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa cv. Elsanta)

The methylotroph Methylobacterium extorquens (strain with CABI registration number IMI 369321), which has been isolated from strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa cv. Elsanta) callus cultures, was grown on a mixture of methanol (0.25% v/v) and 1,2-propanediol (0.75% v/v). The microbial biotransformation of 1,2-propanediol to 2-hydroxypropanal (lactaldehyde) was studied. The bacterial alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) enzymatic activities were assessed, and the optimum pH for ADH activity was found to be pH 6.0. Enzyme assays were carried out for both the bacterial and the strawberry extracts to define the best substrate specificity. For Methylobacterium extorquens, the best substrates were found to be methanol (Km = 0.78 mM) and 1,2-propanediol (Km = 15.84 mM), whereas for strawberries, 1-propanol (Km = 3.54 mM) and ethanol (Km = 6.66 mM) were the best substrates. A wide variety of metals as well as EDTA were shown to decrease the enzymatic activity. Furthermore, SDS-PAGE experiments showed molecular weights of 45.0 and 24.6 kDa for the alcohol dehydrogenases of Methylobacterium extorquens and Fragaria x ananassa, respectively.     

A GIS-based integrated approach predicts accurately post-fire Aleppo pine regeneration at regional scale

Context

This study investigates post-fire natural regeneration of Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) forests at Ilia region (Peloponnesus, Greece) following the catastrophic fire of 2007.

Aims

The objective of this study is the prediction of P. halepensis post-fire regeneration at a regional scale through an integrated geographic information systems (GIS) model as a basis for post-fire management plans.

Methods

The model was developed in three interconnected stages: (1) field data collection, (2) development of two prediction models (based on interpolation of field data and multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) that combined factors known to affect regeneration), and (3) combination of applied models using Bayesian statistics.

Results

Post-fire pine regeneration presented high variation among the studied plots. Redundancy analysis revealed the positive effect of fallen branches and a negative correlation with altitude. Both modeling approaches (geostatistical and MCE) predicted the post-fire pine regeneration with high accuracy. A very significant correlation (r?=?0.834, p?<?0.01) was found between the combined final model and the actual number of counted seedlings, illustrating that less than 10?% of the studied area corresponds to sites of very low post-fire pine regeneration.

Conclusions

The combination of GIS models increased the prediction success of different levels of pine regeneration. Low-altitude areas with low grass cover overlying tertiary deposits were proved the most suitable for pine regeneration, while stands developing on limestone proved least suitable. The proposed methodology provides management authorities with a sound tool to quickly assess Aleppo pine post-fire regeneration potential.