Estimation of the effect of lead and cadmium ions on fluctuating asymmetry in leaves of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

The effect of lead and cadmium ions on the fluctuating asymmetry of the side leaflets’ central veins of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was estimated. The impact of heavy metals on the parameter with the lead or cadmium content in the ground in the concentration of 650 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg respectively was not revealed.     

Landscape effect for the Cervidaes Cervidae in human-dominated fragmented forests

We analyse the relationships between the main Cervidae [moose (Alces alces), red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)] species and a complex of environmental factors in an extensive fragmented landscape of Central Lithuania. The highest determining positive influence on moose density was the proportions of wet forest sites. In forest complexes with fewer proportions of wet sites, the most important factor was the total forest area. The proportion of shrub cover, upland and dense undergrowth area, and road density also has significant effect on moose density. The total area of forest complexes has the highest determining positive influence on red deer density. The highest density of red deer was calculated in large forest complexes (>2,745 ha) with a <17.6 % proportion of pine and <36.5 % of deciduous forests. Other significant factors were core area, road density and urbanization level. Forest edge density has the highest influence on the roe deer populations. The highest density of roe deer was recorded on forest areas with >51 m ha^?1 of edges in wet forest (>25.4 %) dominating areas. The proportion of deciduous, coniferous mixed and pine forest, also shrub and density of edges also had significant effect.     

Heterophase Synthesis of Humic Substances at Low Substrate Concentrations and Flow-Through Conditions

Eurasian Soil Science - Humic substances (HS) are heterogeneous and polydisperse compounds formed in soils, sediments and waters during the decay and transformation of organic residues (the process...     

Developmental stability of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.) after treatment with biostimulants of plants

The treatment of buckwheat with biostimulants Floravit E and Atonic Plus in dilutions 10^?2–10^?3 and 3 × 10^?2, accordingly, had no effect on the stability and development of plants, as one can judge by the fluctuating asymmetry of metrical and meristic traits. Treatment with Atonic Plus led to a reduction of fluctuating asymmetry when control plants had a high value of asymmetry. Floravit E in the dilution 10^?1 caused an increase of fluctuating asymmetry of half leaf width. The same effect was observed when growing buck-wheat in a lead-contaminated soil.     

Establishment of diagnostic criteria for feline nonflea-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis

Hypersensitivity dermatitides (HD) are commonly seen in cats, and they are usually caused by environmental, food and/or flea allergens. Affected cats normally present with one of the following clinical reaction patterns: head and neck excoriations, usually symmetrical self-induced alopecia, eosinophilic skin lesions or miliary dermatitis. Importantly, none of these clinical presentations is considered to be pathognomonic for HD skin diseases, and the diagnosis of HD is usually based on the exclusion of other pruritic diseases and on a positive response to therapy. The objectives of this study were to propose sets of criteria for the diagnosis of nonflea-induced HD (NFHD). We recruited 501 cats with pruritus and skin lesions and compared clinical parameters between cats with NFHD (encompassing those with nonflea, nonfood HD and those with food HD), flea HD and other pruritic conditions. Using simulated annealing techniques, we established two sets of proposed criteria for the following two different clinical situations: (i) the diagnosis of NFHD in a population of pruritic cats; and (ii) the diagnosis of NFHD after exclusion of cats with flea HD. These criteria sets were associated with good sensitivity and specificity and may be useful for homogeneity of enrolment in clinical trials and to evaluate the probability of diagnosis of NFHD in clinical practice. Finally, these criteria were not useful to differentiate cats with NFHD from those with food HD.     

New observation of cone flies attacking cones ofPicea obovata andLarix sibirica in central Siberia

Two species of cone flies (Strobilomyia anthracina andS. svenssoni) emerged from puparia were collected under Siberian spruce (Picea obovata) trees in the central part of the Krasnoyarsk region, central Siberia. Parasites of the Figitidae and Braconidae families emerged from 28.1% of the puparia, and fungal and bacterial diseases destroyed 24.8% of the puparia. Weight and length of the puparia depended on the sanitary status. Two types of cone fly eggs were observed on spruce cones. At least three species ofStrobilomyia (S. Infrequens, S. laricicola, and S. sibirica) attacked cones of Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) in central Siberia. (Responsible editor: Zhu Hong)     

Determination of tissue elasticity of apple, pear, and quince fruits for predicting losses during cold storage

Structural and mechanical properties of fruits during storage are studied for a number of fruit plants. The possibility of predicting losses of fruit products during cold storage is established on the basis of determining the elastic modulus of plant mesocarp tissue.     

Change in lipid peroxidation rate and accumulation of free proline in barley leaves under soil copper and zinc contamination conditions

The effect of copper and zinc contamination of soil on lipid peroxidation rate and accumulation of free proline in barley leaves is studied in a pot experiment. It is shown that not only the magnitude but also the direction of the effect change depending on the concentration of these elements in soil.