The Effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pimpinella anisum</Emphasis> Essential Oils on Young Larvae <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leptinotarsa decemlineata</Emphasis> Say (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The effect of essential oil (EO) from anise (Pimpinellia anisum) on the mortality of young larvae of Colorado potato beetles has been studied. In our bioassays, P. anisum EO significantly increased the mortality of the second instar larvae of L. decemlineata. Significantly different values of LD₅₀ and LD₉₀ were established for acute (LD₅₀ = 1.76, and LD₉₀ = 8.29) as well as chronic toxicity (LD₅₀ = 0.45, and LD₉₀ = 1.01). Decrease of both values over experimental period was evident, which showed that the larval mortality was slow and cumulative. The composition of EO used for biological experiments was also assessed. The main component detected in EO from P. anisum was anethole (79.87%), followed by anisaldehyde (7.74%), estragole (5.88%) and β-linalool (1.07%). Within five days, residual concentration of EO decreased from 3.87 mg/g of dry weight immediately after foliar applications to 0.9 mg per g of dry weight. The effect of this slow evaporation could be explained by dominant presence of anethole or by the type of formulation and the addition of oil and tween. Results of our study demonstrate that EO from P. anisum has insecticidal properties that may lead to the development of new organic products for the control of Colorado potato beetles.     

Effect of Cryptosporidium parvum infection on the absorptive capacity and paracellular permeability of the small intestine in neonatal calves

Cryptosporidium parvum is recognized as one of the most important pathogens causing enteritis and severe diarrhoea in calves up to 1 month of age. Although the infection may be responsible for some mortality, its impact is mainly associated with the impairment of intestinal functions and lower performance of animals. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cryptosporidiosis on the intestinal functions in neonatal experimentally infected Holstein calves. Absorption tests with d-xylose and retinyl-palmitate, and the lactulose/mannitol test of intestinal permeability were simultaneously performed in 1-week intervals from challenge to full recovery. In infected animals, reduced intestinal absorptive capacity for both D-xylose and retinyl-palmitate was observed on day 7 post-infection (p.i.). At the same time, a more than 100% elevation of intestinal permeability was observed in the infected calves. All intestinal functions, except absorption of retinyl-palmitate, were significantly affected and changes were detected up to day 14 p.i. In contrast, results of all tests obtained on day 21 p.i. suggest full recovery of the infected intestine. Significantly, growth of the calves which had recovered from cryptosporidiosis was still affected between days 14 and 21 p.i.     

Oxytocin mediates some effects of insulin-like growth factor-I on porcine ovarian follicles

The aims of the present study were (1) to investigate the influence of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) on follicular size, on the secretion of oxytocin (OT), progesterone (P), estradiol (E), IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), inhibin A, inhibin B and cAMP and on the expression of proliferation-associated peptide PCNA, ERK-related mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK1, 2) and protein kinase A (PKA) in cultured porcine ovarian follicles; (2) to examine the effects of OT on IGF-I and on these functions; and (3) to determine whether the effects of IGF-I can be mediated by OT. To define the involvement of OT in mediating IGF-I action, we compared responses of porcine ovarian follicles to IGF-I and OT and examined whether blockade of endogenous OT by specific antiserum can affect IGF-I action. It was observed that IGF-I (1, 10 or 100 ng/ml) was able to prevent a decrease in the size of ovarian follicles during culture and caused an increase in the diameter of some follicles. It also stimulated the secretion of OT, P, IGFBP-3, inhibin A and cAMP, decreased the secretion of E and inhibin B (RIA/EIA/ELISA), and induced the expression of PCNA, PKA, MAPK/ERK1, but not MAPK/ERK2 (Western blotting). Like IGF-1, OT (100 ng/ml) prevented decrease in follicular size and increased the diameter of some follicles. It also stimulated the secretion of P and IGF-I, but not E. Antiserum against OT (1%), when given alone, did not affect the reduction of follicular size but slightly increased the percentage of follicles increasing their diameter during culture. The antiserum also inhibited secretion of OT and cAMP but not the secretion of P, E, IGFBP-3 or the expression of PKA, MAPK/ERK1 or 2. When given together with IGF-I, the antiserum prevented the stimulatory action of IGF-I on the proportion of enlarged follicles and on OT, IGFBP-3 and MAPK/ERK1. It augmented the effect of IGF-I on P, but not the effect on E, cAMP, PKA or MAPK/ERK2. These observations demonstrate the involvement of IGF-I and OT in the control of ovarian follicular size and follicular cell proliferation, progestagen, estrogen, IGFBP-3, inhibin A and B secretion and in cAMP/PKA- and MAPK/ERK1-dependent intracellular mechanisms. Furthermore, the reciprocal stimulation of IGF-I and OT and the similarity of some their effects, together with the prevention or augmentation of some IGF-I effects after OT blockade, suggest that IGF-I action can be mediated by OT.     

Hydrophility and Surface Molecular Structure of Sandy Podzol E with High Content of Quartz

The capillary elevation of water in an Orthic Podzol increases significantly after the removal of soil organic matter. The study of infrared spectra of humic acids and amorphous silica extracted from the investigated soil shows that their interaction lowers the ability of silica to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. The liberation of reactive isolated Si-OH groups contributes to the increase of hydrophility of the soil.     

Size, shape and surface morphology of starch granules from Norway spruce needles revealed by transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy: effects of elevated CO(2) concentration

We compared the effects of ambient (350 ppm) and elevated CO(2) concentration (700 ppm) on the size and shape of starch granules in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) needles during one growing season. Starch granules were isolated from needles by alkaline digestion and analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Measurements made with a particle size analyzer indicated that starch granules ranged between 0.5 and 10 microm. Granule size and shape varied according to needle developmental stage and CO(2) concentration. Generally, elevated CO(2) concentration increased the size of the starch granules. Fine surface structures (< 10 nm in size) studied by AFM were characterized by the presence of protrusions, furrows and pores.     

The influence of crate height on selected biochemical indices in captive‐reared mallards

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of crate type (particularly its height) on selected biochemical indices in captive‐reared mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). The physiological changes in response to 2‐h crating in crates of either 20 cm or 26 cm height were monitored in 6‐week‐old mallards. Plasma corticosterone concentrations showed an increase (P = 0.036) in mallards crated in crates of 26 cm height in comparison with control non‐crated birds, whereas no difference in plasma corticosterone levels was found between mallards crated in crates of 20 cm height and control non‐crated birds. Lower concentrations of plasma triglycerides (P < 0.05) and uric acid (P < 0.05) were found in crated mallards in comparison with control non‐crated birds; the height of the crates had no effect. Mallards crated in crates of 26 cm height also exhibited a higher (P = 0.032) plasma lactate dehydrogenase concentration in comparison with control non‐crated birds, whereas no difference (P > 0.05) was found in lactate dehydrogenase concentrations in mallards crated in crates of 20 cm height. Our results suggest that crating mallards in lower crates (20 cm) may be less stressful than keeping them in crates allowing vertical movements of the birds.     

Mobility of mercury in soil as affected by soil physicochemical properties

Purpose

The interaction of mercury with organic matter was studied on three soils with distinct physical-chemical compositions (Fluvisol, Luvisol, and Chernozem) and three vermicomposts based on various bio-waste materials (digestate, kitchen waste with woodchips, and garden bio-waste).

Materials and methods

Laboratory batch experiments, in which organic matter composition was modeled by adding graded doses of vermicompost to individual soils, were carried out. The composition of organic matter in these vermicomposts was assessed via fractionation of humic acids, fulvic acids, hydrophilic compounds, and possible hydrophobic neutral organic matter. Furthermore, the samples were artificially contaminated with inorganic and organic mercury. Prepared samples were stored under constant temperature of 25 °C. The incubation experiments lasted for 56 days, in which the samples were taken ten times. During the experiments, the changes in mercury mobile phase amount were observed, and the influence of the source of contamination was evaluated.

Results and discussion

The amount of mobile mercury increased and then decreased during the time. In most of the soils and vermicompost combinations, the content of mercury bound to the soil was stable after 21 days. The effects of the mercury source on the exchangeable portion of Hg in the soils were most obvious in samples without added vermicompost. Nevertheless, differences between mobile inorganic and organic forms of Hg were lower in the case of Fluvisol compared to other soils. Moreover, in this soil, the content of available mercury was higher than from others.

Conclusions

In general, the smallest differences between mobile inorganic and organic forms of Hg were observed in the case of soil with the highest content of organic matter. Also higher doses of vermicomposts decreased the amount of mercury mobile phase available. Additionally, the largest positive influence of vermicompost dose on Hg mobility was measured in soils combined with vermicompost with the highest portion of humic acids.

     

Acidification of primeval forests in the Ukraine Carpathians: Vegetation and soil changes over six decades

Changes to vegetation and soil were assessed in primeval forests of the Eastern Carpathians after a period of 59-68 years. We hypothesized that forest ecosystems were acidified through the long-distance transport of air pollutants. A total of 141 relevés and 20 soil profiles that had been studied in 1938 in spruce- and beech-dominated forests along an altitudinal gradient ranging from 1085-1575 m a.s.l. were re-surveyed from 1997 to 2006. Relevés were analyzed using multidimensional statistics and plant community characteristics (Shannon-Wiener’s index, equitability, fidelity, Ellenberg indication values - EIV); soil reaction and sorption complex properties were analyzed in soils.A total of 159 vascular plant taxa were recorded in 1938, of which 35 were not found during the repeat survey. During the later survey, 137 taxa were found, of which 13 were new findings. The upper mineral (A) as well as cambic or spodic (B) horizons were considerably acidified in both forest types. Both active and exchange soil reaction decreased by 0.1-0.3 units on average, exchangeable acidity significantly increased and the sum of base cations decreased in both soil horizons and forest types. Base saturation decreased by more than half of original values, with a maximum decrease of 68% found in the B-horizon of spruce forests. Whereas the herb layer developed along with soils in beech-dominated forests, EIV values for soil reaction increased in spruce-dominated forests, probably due to the movement of broadleaf woody species to higher elevations or due to the higher resistance of herb species to soil acidification. Significant changes to EIVs also occurred in the beech- and/or spruce-dominated forests for the factors of nitrogen, light moisture and temperature.There was an expansion of the lower tree and shrub layers, primarily Fagus sylvatica, Picea abies and Sorbus aucuparia in intermediate and higher elevations, which can be explained by reduced cattle grazing. Also, the dissipation of Juniperus communis and marked decline of Abiesalba are interpreted as being related to gradual changes in landscape management along with the effect of acid deposition. Since 1938, all stands have shown a significant increase in nitrophilous taxa such as Rubusidaeus, Athyrium distentifolium, Urtica dioica, Calamagrostis arundinacea, Stellaria nemorum. Significant decreases in the number of species, Shannon-Wiener’s index and equitability were only observed in spruce-dominated forests. Neophyte taxa were not detected in either the 1930s or the 1997-2006 period.