Reconstructing migration phases of meandering channels by means of ground-penetrating radar (GPR): the case of the Obra River,Poland

Purpose  

The main goal of the study was to compare the potential of conventional and geophysical methods (ground-penetrating radar; GPR) to reconstruct the migration phases of a meandering lowland riverbed: the Obra River in western Poland. The purpose was to verify that the migration phases can be distinguished using the GPR measurement providing near-continuous imaging of alluvial structures and to discuss differences between the spatial extent of the migration phases distinguished using geologic data and GPR surveys.     

Propagule pressure and land-use are more important than climate for invasive bryophytes regional distributions

Landscape Ecology - The spread of invasive bryophytes in Central Europe started in the 2nd half of the twentieth century. However, still it is not known which climatic and land-use factors shape...     

Trichoderma as a biostimulator and biocontrol agent against Fusarium in the production of cereal crops: Opportunities and possibilities

Despite technological advances in global agriculture in recent years, the problem of pathogenic fungi in the production of cereal crops continues to be an issue. Currently, the high variability of weather factors that are considered unusual for specific locations affect the growth and physiology of pathogens attacking cereal crops. One of the most common plant protection methods is the use of synthetic pesticides; however, there is growing controversy over this approach due to the build-up of pesticides in the environment and the presence of their residues in food. The purpose of this literature review is to explore the current state of knowledge regarding the potential of using Trichoderma species as a biostimulator and for the biological protection of cereal crops against pathogenic fungi. Trichoderma fungi—through mycoparasitism, antibiosis and competition for space and nutrients—help to inhibit the growth of pathogens and have a positive impact on the growth of plants, including their root system, which is considered a desirable effect during drought episodes. It has also been demonstrated that Trichoderma fungi can convert Fusarium toxins into new metabolites that can be of lower toxicity. However, the highly limited number of in vivo studies investigating the use of these fungi for biocontrol in cereal crops remains an obstacle to the commercialization of Trichoderma fungi. It appears that the determination of their effectiveness in the biocontrol of cereal crops under variable weather and climate conditions presents a considerable challenge.     

The immunohistochemical evaluation of selected markers in the left atrium of dogs with end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy and myxomatous mitral valve disease – a preliminary study

Background

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) are the most common diseases noted in dogs. Although their pathogenesis varies, both include a significant enlargement of the left atrium.The study was carried out on left atrial specimens obtained from 56 dogs, including those from 34 dogs with clinically diagnosed MMVD, 15 dogs with DCM and 7 dogs without heart disease (control group). Dogs in the MMVD and the DCM groups presented with left atrial enlargement and stage D heart failure. The specimens underwent immunohistochemical examination using desmin, vimentin, periostin and caspase-3 antibodies.

Results

There were alterations in the expression of the studied proteins in the study groups compared to the control group. The changes included: irregularity of desmin cross-striation and desmosomes, a higher amount of vimentin-positive cells, a change in the periostin expression pattern from cytoplasmic to extracellular, and a lower expression of caspase-3. The alterations were more pronounced in the DCM group than in the MMVD group.

Conclusions

During heart failure, the pattern of desmin, vimentin, periostin and caspase-3 expression alters in the left atrium, regardless of the cause. The changes are more pronounced in dogs with DCM than in dogs with MMVD and similar left atrial enlargement, suggesting that volume overload may not be the only cause of myocardial changes in DCM.

     

Quantitative trait loci mapping of freezing tolerance and photosynthetic acclimation to cold in winter two‐ and six‐rowed barley

Photoacclimation (PA) and freezing tolerance (FT) have been identified as closely related traits, due to common mechanisms of environmental control. In this study, diversity array technology (DArT) was used for identification of the quantitative trait loci (QTL) of FT and PA in winter barley. Simple sequence repeat (SSR) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were subsequently used to saturate QTL regions. Two F₂ mapping populations were created, for two‐rowed (P44) and six‐rowed barley (CaP). Different regions of the genome were responsible for differences in traits between parents in these two populations. Eleven QTLs were identified in the P44 population, including five typical for FT and PA, on chromosomes 2H, 3H and 7H. In the CaP population, only one QTL connected with PA and 10 connected with FT were found on all chromosomes except 2H. Our results demonstrate that different sets of markers should be applied in marker‐assisted selection for FT in two‐ and six‐rowed barley, as several loci determine FT at the level of biparental crosses.     

Immunohistochemical study on the expressions of neuropeptides in the superficial and deep gland of the third eyelid of pigs

The superficial gland of the third eyelid (SGTE) and deep gland of the third eyelid (DGTE) are classified as accessory lacrimal glands. The aim of the present study was to immunohistochemically investigate the expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DβH), substance P (SP), galanin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP), somatostatin and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the porcine SGTE and DGTE. We demonstrated the distribution patterns of VIP, DβH, SP, NPY and galanin in the nerve fibres in the SGTE and DGTE. None of somatostatin-, PACAP- and CGRP-immunoreactive (IR) nerve fibres were found in the SGTE and DGTE. The majority of VIP- and DβH-IR nerves fibres were found near to glandular acini, tubules, secretory ducts and blood vessels in the SGTE and DGTE. VIP-IR nerve fibres were found in external connective tissue in SGTE and DGTE and only in interlobular connective tissue in the SGTE. DβH-IR nerve fibres were found in interlobular and external connective tissue in the DGTE but not in the SGTE. Single galanin-, SP- and NPY-IR nerve fibres were observed in close proximity to acini and tubules in the SGTE and DGTE. Single galanin-, SP-, NPY-IR nerve fibres were found in close proximity to the secretory ducts in the DGTE, however only SP-IR nerve fibres were found near to the secretory ducts in SGTE. In conclusion, our research aims to highlight some aspects of SGTE and DGTE innervation in pigs and may also be a source of basic knowledge for further studies.     

Visual and quantitative electroencephalographic analysis of healthy young and adult cats under medetomidine sedation

A study was designed to investigate the effect of medetomidine sedation on quantitative electroencephalography (q-EEG) in healthy young and adult cats to determine objective guidelines for diagnostic EEG recordings and interpretation. Preliminary visual examination of EEG recordings revealed high-voltage low-frequency background activity. Spindles, k-complexes and vertex sharp transients characteristic of sleep or sedation were superimposed on a low background activity. Neither paroxysmal activity nor EEG burst-suppression were observed. The spectral analysis of q-EEG included four parameters, namely, relative power (%), and mean, median and peak frequency (Hz) of all four frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha and beta). The findings showed a prevalence of slow delta and theta rhythms as opposed to fast alpha and beta rhythms in both young (group A) and adult (group B) cats. A posterior gradient was reported for the theta band and an anterior gradient for the alpha and beta bands in both groups, respectively. The relative power value in group B compared to group A was significantly higher for theta, alpha and beta bands, and lower for the delta band. The mean and median frequency values in group B was significantly higher for delta, theta and beta bands and lower for the alpha band. The study has shown that a medetomidine sedation protocol for feline EEG may offer a method for investigating bio-electrical cortical activity. The use of q-EEG analysis showed a decrease in high frequency bands and increased activity of the low frequency band in healthy cats under medetomidine sedation.